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Corsair QX120 RGB vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM: Comparison
Corsair QX120 RGB vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM: the static pressure difference
Start with static pressure, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Corsair QX120 RGB 3.8 mmH2O against Noctua NF-S12A PWM 1.19 mmH2O, 69% in favour of Corsair QX120 RGB. Corsair QX120 RGB also leads on max speed, 2400 RPM on the Corsair QX120 RGB versus 1200 RPM on the Noctua NF-S12A PWM. Add warranty to that, 5 years on the Corsair QX120 RGB versus 6 years on the Noctua NF-S12A PWM, and the pattern holds.
Which should you buy, Corsair QX120 RGB or Noctua NF-S12A PWM?
Buy the Corsair QX120 RGB for builds already using iCUE LINK hubs or coolers and high static-pressure radiator duty, though it is not built for builders without other iCUE LINK hardware and budget multi-fan purchases. The Noctua NF-S12A PWM suits mesh-front cases with unobstructed airflow paths and builds where near-silent operation matters more than raw CFM, though it is the wrong buy for radiator or filtered-intake use where pressure matters more and budget multi-fan builds needing 6+ fans. Our rating of the Corsair QX120 RGB (8/10): excellent performance and the cleanest cabling in the catalog, but only worth it inside Corsair's LINK ecosystem. Our rating of the Noctua NF-S12A PWM (8/10): an excellent quiet airflow fan for open cases, but expensive per-fan for how little static pressure it offers.
What Corsair QX120 RGB and Noctua NF-S12A PWM have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, fan thickness, pack quantity, pwm control and zero rpm capable are identical here. They match on 1 further specification as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Corsair QX120 RGB and Noctua NF-S12A PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 37 dBA on the Corsair QX120 RGB versus 17.8 dBA on the Noctua NF-S12A PWM.
Is the Positioning the same on the Corsair QX120 RGB and Noctua NF-S12A PWM?
It is. Both are listed at Premium, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 120 mm
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 120 mm
Brand
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Corsair
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Noctua
Model
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- QX120 RGB
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- NF-S12A PWM
Bearing Type
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Magnetic Dome
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
Lighting
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- RGB
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 25 mm
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 25 mm
Pack Quantity
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 1
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 1
Static Pressure
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 3.8 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 1.19 mmH2O-69%
Max Speed
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 2400 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 1200 RPM-50%
Airflow
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 63.1 CFM0%
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 63.27 CFMBest
Noise Level
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 37 dBA
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 17.8 dBABest
PWM Control
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Yes
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Yes
Zero RPM Capable
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Yes
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Yes
Bearing Marketing Name
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Magnetic Dome
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- SSO2
Connector Type
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Proprietary
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
Lighting Connector
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Proprietary
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- None
RGB Lighting
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Yes
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- ARGB Proprietary
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- None
Colorway
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Black
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Brown And Beige
Warranty
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- 5 years-17%
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- 6 yearsBest
Positioning
- Corsair QX120 RGB
- Premium
- Noctua NF-S12A PWM
- Premium
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair QX120 RGB if you want the higher static pressure (3.8 mmH2O vs 1.19 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (2400 RPM vs 1200 RPM).
Choose Noctua NF-S12A PWM if you want the higher airflow (63.27 CFM vs 63.1 CFM), the lower noise level (17.8 dBA vs 37 dBA) and the higher warranty (6 years vs 5 years).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair QX120 RGB | Noctua NF-S12A PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on 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 QX120 RGB
8 / 10 Expert Rating
Excellent performance and the cleanest cabling in the catalog, but only worth it inside Corsair's LINK ecosystem.
Noctua NF-S12A PWM
8 / 10 Expert Rating
An excellent quiet airflow fan for open cases, but expensive per-fan for how little static pressure it offers.