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Corsair AF120 Slim vs Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM: Comparison
What is the difference between Corsair AF120 Slim and Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM?
Static pressure is where these two genuinely part company, Corsair AF120 Slim 1.9 mmH2O against Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM 0.97 mmH2O, a 49% lead for Corsair AF120 Slim. Corsair AF120 Slim also leads on max speed, 2000 RPM on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus 1200 RPM on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM. They differ on lighting too, None on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus No RGB on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM. Fan thickness is not the same on both, 15 mm on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus 26 mm on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 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 Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM suits quiet mainstream case airflow and Non-RGB builds, 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 Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM (7/10): A dependable, quiet mainstream fan with nothing flashy about it, which is exactly the point.
What Corsair AF120 Slim and Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan size, bearing type and pwm control read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Corsair AF120 Slim and Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 25.6 dBA on the Corsair AF120 Slim versus 23.8 dBA on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 120 mm
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 120 mm
Brand
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- Corsair
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Scythe
Model
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- AF120 Slim
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Kaze Flex II 120 PWM (1200RPM)
Bearing Type
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- Fluid Dynamic
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- None
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 15 mm
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 26 mm
Static Pressure
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 1.9 mmH2OBest
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 0.97 mmH2O-49%
Max Speed
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 2000 RPMBest
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 1200 RPM-40%
Airflow
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 56.3 CFMBest
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 52.94 CFM-6%
Noise Level
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 25.6 dBA
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 23.8 dBABest
PWM Control
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- Yes
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Yes
Min Speed
- Corsair AF120 Slim
- 600 RPMBest
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 300 RPM
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair AF120 Slim if you want the higher static pressure (1.9 mmH2O vs 0.97 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2000 RPM vs 1200 RPM) and the higher airflow (56.3 CFM vs 52.94 CFM).
Choose Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM if you want the lower noise level (23.8 dBA vs 25.6 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair AF120 Slim | Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $24.99 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Scythe | View on Scythe |
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.
Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A dependable, quiet mainstream fan with nothing flashy about it, which is exactly the point.