Summary
If you look at the measured values detached from the very optimistic data sheet specifications, then the Corsair AF140 Elite does not cut a particularly bad figure, but unfortunately it still cannot offer more than good mediocrity. Sure, the static pressure is okay for such a fan, but without corresponding throughput in the upper speed range, it’s not much use at first. Especially not on radiators. This is not to say that the fan is unusable, but it is simply not a top model for what it offers when compared to other fans in this price range, and the fan would have benefited from slightly higher speeds.
The fact that you also have to run it at a minimum speed of 400 rpm to be able to measure anything at all doesn’t make life any easier, and it’s perhaps also the reason that this fan is also specified with a minimum speed of 400 rpm in the data sheet, especially since this is (coincidentally?) also the limit for the DC control. PWM-controlled it would also work down to below 200 rpm, but then you could leave it out completely, because nothing more comes. The fan is at least free of humming or ugly bearing noise, and build quality is fine.
The data sheet on the homepage and also the imprint on the box are partly misleading and even wrong! For an advertised airflow of a maximum of 84.5 cfm, which is a whopping 143.56 m³/h, you estimate around 4.5 watts of power consumption. That would still be quite plausible. However, we measure only 56.27 cfm, which corresponds to 95.60 m³/h. However, that’s only 66.6% percent of the airflow that’s being offered! Ergo, the fan is missing an incredible third of performance in reality! The power consumption is also only a maximum of 2.28 watts (measured), which then matches the low measured values again.
In this context, it is highly interesting that the static pressure from our measurement and the data sheet agree in both the minimum and the maximum value up to the second decimal place (!). We’ve never had that before either. However, since we did not only measure one fan of the series and also did counter tests in between, whose reference values were correct, we have to assume a fact and not a coincidence here.
Conclusion
To sum it up objectively and concisely in one sentence: too expensive for a bit too little throughput with a bit too much noise. However, I am extremely annoyed because not everyone is able to take measurements themselves: A third less airflow than indicated on the packaging and homepage is not what we expected. Especially since the static pressure fits exactly. In addition, the measured power consumption and the maximum speeds should theoretically not allow for much more airflow.
All of this would be just about tolerable if it weren’t for the steep price of over 23 Euros for the cheapest color variant. In reality, an Arctic P14 PWM PST offers 30 percentage points more performance for under 7 Euros in the measurements and still has a daisy-chain function. To cut a long story short, you’d get three better fans for the price of one and still have money left over for a scoop of ice cream. I’ll leave the durability out of it, since Corsair unfortunately doesn’t provide any information.
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