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Corsair AF120 Slim vs Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM: Comparison

Corsair AF120 Slim vs Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM airflow compared

Airflow is where these two genuinely part company, Corsair AF120 Slim 56.3 CFM against Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM 87.6 CFM, a 36% lead for Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM. Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM also leads on static pressure, 1.9 mmH2O on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus 2.3 mmH2O on the Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM. Fan thickness is not the same on both, 15 mm on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus 25 mm on the Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM.

Who each one is for

Buy the Corsair AF120 Slim for tight-clearance builds where a standard 25mm-thick fan won't physically fit. It is the wrong buy for builds with no clearance constraints, a standard-thickness fan like the Noctua NF-A12x25 will generally outperform this one. The Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM suits silent PC builds and Fractal Design case upgrades, though it is not built for high static pressure radiator duty and show-window RGB builds. Our rating of the Corsair AF120 Slim (7/10): A clearance-solving slim 120mm fan that keeps most of the airflow a standard-depth fan would give you. Our rating of the Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM (7/10): one of the quietest 120mm fans around, ideal for anyone building around Fractal's own low-noise philosophy.

What Corsair AF120 Slim and Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM have in common

The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, max speed, pwm control and rgb lighting are identical here.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Corsair AF120 Slim and Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM differ on noise level?

Yes. Noise Level reads 25.6 dBA on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus 32.2 dBA on the Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    120 mm
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    120 mm
  • Brand

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    Corsair
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    Fractal Design
  • Model

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    AF120 Slim
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
  • Bearing Type

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    Fluid Dynamic
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    Sleeve
  • Lighting

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    None
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    No RGB
  • Fan Thickness

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    15 mm
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    25 mm
  • Static Pressure

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    1.9 mmH2O-17%
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    2.3 mmH2OBest
  • Max Speed

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    2000 RPM
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    2000 RPM
  • Airflow

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    56.3 CFM-36%
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    87.6 CFMBest
  • Noise Level

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    25.6 dBABest
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    32.2 dBA
  • PWM Control

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    Yes
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    Yes
  • Min Speed

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    600 RPMBest
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    500 RPM
  • RGB Lighting

    Corsair AF120 Slim
    No
    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    No

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Corsair AF120 Slim if you want the higher max speed (2000 RPM vs 2000 RPM) and the lower noise level (25.6 dBA vs 32.2 dBA).

    Choose Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM if you want the higher static pressure (2.3 mmH2O vs 1.9 mmH2O) and the higher airflow (87.6 CFM vs 56.3 CFM).

    Price comparison

    RetailerCorsair AF120 SlimFractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM
    Amazon

    $24.99

    View on Amazon
    NeweggView on Newegg
    Fractal Design StoreView on Fractal Design Store

    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 Slim

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    A clearance-solving slim 120mm fan that keeps most of the airflow a standard-depth fan would give you.

    Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    One of the quietest 120mm fans around, ideal for anyone building around Fractal's own low-noise philosophy.

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