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.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
92 Comments
View All Comments
nutral - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
He actually did use a anemometer for the airflow test i think. The pitot tube is just used for static pressure readings. I'd say the measuring setup is pretty accurate for what he is doing here. All in all its a great way to measure actual fan performance instead of going after just a flow number and a static pressure number.From my work as an engineer i'm more used to seeing actual graphs of pressure/flow and power to make a good selection. Papst for example does supply them. The only computer fan i've seen else that show these are ek waterblocks
http://img.ebmpapst.com/products/grafik/7438-GRAFI...
https://shop.ekwb.com/media/catalog/product/cache/...
kalboston - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
Thank you, I meant to write vane anemometer instead of a pitot tube. As long a the same equipment is to be used these fan comparisons are effective.Just some points to make about the equipment used. Not to say the article is not accurate, but the equipment used is "inexpensive" by trade standards. Such as some of my equipment that I have for those once in a while measurements. The temp/RH, sound, and vibration equipment I own is "cheap" compared to people who specialize in it the field. I wouldn't expect Anand to be using $2,000+ USD thermal anemometers (TSI 9565P temp and barometric compensation) and $2,000+ USD (Shortridge ADM-880C) digital manometers.
The Extech AN200 description does say a thermal anemometer, but the picture shown is a vane anemometer with a FPM accuracy of 3% reading + 40 FPM.
Assuming a 140mm diameter @ 60 CFM = approximately 600 FPM velocity. The AN200 unit is +/- 10% at this reading.
The HD350 accuracy is +/- 0.3% of full scale @ 510 mm h2o = +/- 1.5 mm h2o. Most the readings taken are within the tolerance of the meters accuracy.
I do enjoy reading the author's articles. I have never posted before to Anand, I just hope a few people will hopefully understand before attacking/leaving harsh criticism of the article.
jann5s - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
Love the quote in the end, and I'm an engineerTunnah - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
Great article, super technical as always, and as usual WAY WAY over my head ha.What I think would be useful is a real world scenario that dumdums like me could look at and see the benefits of. Say, an overclocked CPU with a certain cooler, and the temperature taken with the normal fan, then taken with the custom fan, so we can see the benefit we care about - how much cooler it makes something.
If this isn't possible, due to the fans not fitting, maybe another scenario, a system instead of a CPU cooler, with it's standard fans, then these fans.
I know this probably won't be a popular idea as AnandTech is more for the tech savvy crowd, I just feel like some real world results would help
nutral - Friday, November 27, 2015 - link
This article is mostly about how much flow the fans actually create in certain situations.It can be coupled with how much cooling you have at a certain flow, altough that really depends on the cooler/aio
galta - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
Noctua fans, always and forever.The best combination of static pressure and airflow for a given noise level. On top of that, they last close to forever.
Of course, one has to say that they are from beautiful, but that's minor.
Oxford Guy - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
They make boring black fans, too.galta - Friday, November 27, 2015 - link
Sure they do. Their industrial line is black/dark brown.I have 6 of them on my system, on a push-pull 3x120mm radiator. Nothing short of superb.
They come at price, though, and not because of their color, but because of their extra specs.
Anyway, as I said before, color is minor.
FriendlyUser - Friday, November 27, 2015 - link
Great, rigorous review!! This is exactly the kind of fan review that I want. Please do a roundup of premium fans soon.Omega215D - Friday, November 27, 2015 - link
Time to compare it to the H.E.C Cougar and Noctua fans.