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Corsair AF120 Elite vs SilverStone FQ121: Comparison
Corsair AF120 Elite vs SilverStone FQ121: the airflow difference
Start with airflow, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Corsair AF120 Elite 59.1 CFM against SilverStone FQ121 67.5 CFM, 12% in favour of SilverStone FQ121. The static pressure figures are near enough to ignore, 1.93 mmH2O on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 1.82 mmH2O on the SilverStone FQ121. The noise level figures are near enough to ignore, 28.9 dBA on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 24 dBA on the SilverStone FQ121. Max speed is closer, 1850 RPM on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 1800 RPM on the SilverStone FQ121. The min speed figures are near enough to ignore, 400 RPM on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 1000 RPM on the SilverStone FQ121. They differ on positioning too, Performance on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus Mainstream on the SilverStone FQ121.
Who each one is for
The Corsair AF120 Elite is the one to take for mesh-front intake positions and builds that don't want RGB clutter, though it is the wrong buy for radiator or filtered-intake duty and budget-per-fan shoppers. Buy the SilverStone FQ121 for CPU heatsink fans and filtered intake with dust screens, though it is not the pick for RGB builds and maximum airflow case builds. Our rating of the Corsair AF120 Elite (7/10): A clean, quiet airflow fan for mesh cases, though the Arctic F12 PWM matches it for less money. Our rating of the SilverStone FQ121 (7/10): A quiet, capable static-pressure fan that undercuts the premium brands without giving up much performance.
What Corsair AF120 Elite and SilverStone FQ121 have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, bearing type, lighting, fan thickness and pwm control are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 120 mm
- SilverStone FQ121
- 120 mm
Brand
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Corsair
- SilverStone FQ121
- SilverStone
Model
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- AF120 Elite
- SilverStone FQ121
- FQ121
Bearing Type
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Fluid Dynamic
- SilverStone FQ121
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- No RGB
- SilverStone FQ121
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 25 mm
- SilverStone FQ121
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 1.93 mmH2OBest
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1.82 mmH2O-6%
Max Speed
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 1850 RPMBest
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1800 RPM-3%
Airflow
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 59.1 CFM-12%
- SilverStone FQ121
- 67.5 CFMBest
Noise Level
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 28.9 dBA
- SilverStone FQ121
- 24 dBABest
PWM Control
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Yes
- SilverStone FQ121
- Yes
Min Speed
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 400 RPM
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1000 RPMBest
Positioning
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Performance
- SilverStone FQ121
- Mainstream
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair AF120 Elite if you want the higher static pressure (1.93 mmH2O vs 1.82 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (1850 RPM vs 1800 RPM).
Choose SilverStone FQ121 if you want the higher airflow (67.5 CFM vs 59.1 CFM) and the lower noise level (24 dBA vs 28.9 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair AF120 Elite | SilverStone FQ121 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| SilverStone | View on SilverStone |
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.
SilverStone FQ121
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A quiet, capable static-pressure fan that undercuts the premium brands without giving up much performance.