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Corsair AF120 Elite vs Noctua NF-A9 PWM: Comparison
Corsair AF120 Elite and Noctua NF-A9 PWM separate most on airflow: Corsair AF120 Elite at 59.1 CFM, Noctua NF-A9 PWM at 46.44 CFM, 21% in favour of Corsair AF120 Elite. Warranty splits them by another 17%, this time favouring Noctua NF-A9 PWM. They match on 8 other specifications, including bearing type, fan thickness and pwm control.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Fan Size | 120 mm | 92 mm |
| Brand | Corsair | Noctua |
| Model | AF120 Elite | NF-A9 PWM |
| Bearing Type | Fluid Dynamic | Fluid Dynamic |
| Lighting | No RGB | None |
| Fan Thickness | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Static Pressure | 1.93 mmH2O-15% | 2.28 mmH2O |
| Max Speed | 1850 RPM-7% | 2000 RPM |
| Noise Level | 28.9 dBA+6.1 dBA | 22.8 dBA |
| Airflow | 59.1 CFM | 46.44 CFM-21% |
| PWM Control | Yes | Yes |
| Min Speed | 400 RPM | 400 RPM |
| Zero RPM Capable | Yes | Yes |
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM | 4-Pin PWM |
| RGB Lighting | No | No |
| Lighting Type | None | None |
| Colorway | Black | Brown And Beige |
| Warranty | 5 years-17% | 6 years |
| Positioning | Performance | Premium |
| Source URL | https://www.corsair.com/ww/en/p/case-fans/co-9050140-ww/af120-elite-high-performance-120mm-pwm-fluid-dynamic-bearing-fan-co-9050140-ww | https://cdn.noctua.at/media/noctua_nf_a9_pwm_infosheet_en_web.pdf |
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair AF120 Elite | Noctua NF-A9 PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Corsair AF120 Elite
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A clean, quiet airflow fan for mesh cases, though the Arctic F12 PWM matches it for less money.
Noctua NF-A9 PWM
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The go-to premium option whenever a build genuinely needs a 92mm fan instead of 120mm.