The Corsair SP (Static Pressure), AF (High Airflow) 120/140mm Fan Review
by E. Fylladitakis on November 25, 2015 8:00 AM ESTCorsair's 140mm Performance
AF140 White LED Quiet Edition
As mentioned previously, the variation on Corsair's fans means that this one is our 140mm model in the 'High Airflow' (AF) category, focusing on low-impedance (case-fan style) scenarios. The LED versions are not built as sturdy as the non-LED models, and this one comes in with the 'Quiet Edition' moniker as well. Here are the results for the AF140 LED QE fan at high and low voltage settings:
As it can be seen from the above performance chart, the AF140 begins with very low static pressure readings but its airflow increases as the airflow impedance decreases. This increase is dramatic when the airflow impedance pressure drop is below 0.3 mmH2O while the fan is operating at its maximum speed.
SP140 White LED
The Static Pressure line of fans focuses more on the early end of the pressure/volume curve, aiming to get higher airflow at the same pressure while potentially sacrificing the total peak volume flow at zero pressure. Similar to the AF model above, this is a 140mm LED version but not in the quest range. Here are the 12V and 7V results:
As expected by its design and specifications, the SP140 has a good static pressure, nearly 50% better than that of the high airflow AF140. However, its pressure to flow curve declines faster and the SP140, even though it has a higher maximum speed than the AF140, cannot reach very high airflow values.
Comparing the AF140 LED QE and SP140 LED
If we do a direct comparison at the different voltage modes, we get the following for 12 volts:
Then this is for 7 volts (note the different scales on both axes):
Note that their rotational speeds are not the same at either voltage. Still, the slower AF140 can move greater volumes of air when the airflow impedance pressure drop is below 0.3 mmH2O. However, if the airflow impedance is high, the SP140 will clearly provide better performance.
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phoenix_rizzen - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
Salsa, obviously. Or hot sauce. Or any other number of sauces unrelated to that horrid sugary concoction known as ketchup that should be avoided at all costs. ;)Strife2211 - Saturday, March 12, 2016 - link
I see it all the time. Instead it is noise caused by resistance. Filters. Grills. Etc.tipoo - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
LED...Lower performing? I thought LEDs made everything in PCs faster, everyone knows that! My world is shattered.Devo2007 - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
Actually, black makes a PC faster, so having LEDs will just slow things down.Devo2007 - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
.... I read that online from some guy named Dan a long time ago... He had a lot of Data about all kinds of things.(obviously the post in question was sarcasm at its finest, but it seemed relevant to tipoo's post.
Flunk - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
Na-uh, everyone knows stripes are the fasterest!Chapbass - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
That dude that shows up to the LAN with his case all decked in like...camo...yeah, watch out for that guy.Manch - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
These rules apply to cars as well.That's why my go fast stripes are black. And led lights? pfffff, all the extra wiring, boards etc add weight. Weight is the enemy of speed. No LEDS for me...
BurntMyBacon - Tuesday, December 1, 2015 - link
@Devo2007: "Actually, black makes a PC faster, so having LEDs will just slow things down."That's racist. </joke>
Also, it didn't make my bacon faster, but I guess that's not a PC.
Caravaggios Fist - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - link
Great review of fans. I love to see performance curces rather than the regular two point tests that are more conventient to do. It would be great to see sound dB info too if you get the equipment in the future.Also, I agree that the graphs need to look a little more consistent with the Anandtech style.