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Corsair iCUE Link RX120 vs Noctua NF-A9 PWM: Comparison
What is the difference between Corsair iCUE Link RX120 and Noctua NF-A9 PWM?
Start with static pressure, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Corsair iCUE Link RX120 4.38 mmH2O against Noctua NF-A9 PWM 2.28 mmH2O, 48% in favour of Corsair iCUE Link RX120. Add airflow to that, 74.2 CFM on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 46.44 CFM on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM, and the pattern holds. Noctua NF-A9 PWM also leads on warranty, 5 years on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 6 years on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM.
Who each one is for
The Corsair iCUE Link RX120 suits iCUE Link fan and cooler builds and cable-management-focused builds, though it is the wrong buy for Non-iCUE-Link systems and RGB-focused builds. The Noctua NF-A9 PWM is the one to take for SFF cases with 92mm-only mounts and coolers with 92mm fan slots, though it is not the pick for standard mid-tower intake/exhaust (use a 120mm or 140mm instead) and buyers chasing maximum total airflow. Our rating of the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 (8/10): A clean, quiet workhorse fan that only really makes sense once you're bought into iCUE Link's single-cable wiring. Our rating of the Noctua NF-A9 PWM (8/10): the go-to premium option whenever a build genuinely needs a 92mm fan instead of 120mm.
What Corsair iCUE Link RX120 and Noctua NF-A9 PWM have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, fan thickness, pack quantity, pwm control, min speed and rgb lighting included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 1 further specification as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 and Noctua NF-A9 PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 36 dBA on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 22.8 dBA on the Noctua NF-A9 PWM.
Is the Lighting Type the same on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 and Noctua NF-A9 PWM?
It is. Both are listed at None, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 120 mm
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 92 mm
Brand
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Corsair
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Noctua
Model
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- iCUE Link RX120
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- NF-A9 PWM
Lighting
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- No RGB
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 25 mm
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 25 mm
Pack Quantity
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 1
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 1
Static Pressure
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 4.38 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 2.28 mmH2O-48%
Max Speed
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 2100 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 2000 RPM-5%
Airflow
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 74.2 CFMBest
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 46.44 CFM-37%
Noise Level
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 36 dBA
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 22.8 dBABest
PWM Control
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Yes
Min Speed
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 400 RPM
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 400 RPM
Connector Type
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Proprietary
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
RGB Lighting
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- No
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- None
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- None
Colorway
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Black
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Brown And Beige
Warranty
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 5 years-17%
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- 6 yearsBest
Positioning
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Mainstream
- Noctua NF-A9 PWM
- Premium
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair iCUE Link RX120 if you want the higher static pressure (4.38 mmH2O vs 2.28 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2100 RPM vs 2000 RPM) and the higher airflow (74.2 CFM vs 46.44 CFM).
Choose Noctua NF-A9 PWM if you want the lower noise level (22.8 dBA vs 36 dBA) and the higher warranty (6 years vs 5 years).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair iCUE Link RX120 | Noctua NF-A9 PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Store | View on Corsair Store | |
| 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 iCUE Link RX120
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A clean, quiet workhorse fan that only really makes sense once you're bought into iCUE Link's single-cable wiring.
Noctua NF-A9 PWM
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The go-to premium option whenever a build genuinely needs a 92mm fan instead of 120mm.