Corsair is expanding the iCUE LINK Smart Component ecosystem (our test) with new fans in sizes 120 (RX120) and 140 mm (RX140). The new RX fans have an optimized fan blade shape for high performance and are suitable as both case and radiator fans. The fans are available with RGB lighting in the colors black and white and without RGB lighting in the color black. In addition to the individual fans, Corsair also offers starter kits that contain three (RX120) or two (RX140) fans as well as a system hub. Three black Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB fans were available for our test.
Technical data of the Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB
| Model | Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB (single fan) |
| Fan speed | 0, 300 – 1,700 rpm ± 10 % |
| Air flow rate | 18.1 – 95.7 CFM |
| Air pressure | 0.15 – 3.79 mmH₂O |
| Noise level | 10 – 36 dB(A) |
| Fan bearing | Magnetic levitation bearing |
| Dimensions | 140 x 140 x 25 mm |
| Special features | Corsair iCUE LINK ecosystem (system hub required), 8 RGB LEDs and integrated side window |
| Scope of delivery | Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB fan, iCUE LINK cable (135 mm), iCUE LINK connectors, QuikTurn screws |
| Warranty period |
5 years warranty |
| Price | € 39.90 * |
Scope of delivery
- contains one fan, one iCUE LINK cable and one set of connectors
- a starter kit contains two fans and accessories as well as an iCUE LINK system hub
The Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB comes in a black and yellow box with a picture of the fan with RGB lighting on the front. There are also several references to the fact that it is part of the iCUE LINK ecosystem. On the back of the box, Corsair lists some of the fan’s highlights as well as the technical data and scope of delivery.
In addition to the fan, the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB (link to manufacturer ) comes with a 135 mm long, double-angled iCUE LINK cable, a connector set and QuikTurn screws that can be screwed in with just one turn.
The iCUE LINK RX140 RGB starter kit (link to manufacturer ) includes two fans, a 600 mm long single-angled iCUE LINK cable, a 135 mm long double-angled iCUE LINK cable, a connector set and QuikTurn screws. The starter kit also contains an iCUE LINK system hub and the associated cables.
Design and workmanship
- black fan frame and transparent light gray fan blades
- transparent light gray side windows with Corsair lettering
- 8 RGB LEDs
The Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB has black fan frames and stator blades. The fan blades are transparent light gray. The iCUE LINK connections are located on two of the four sides of the narrow fan frame and can be used to connect the fans to the system hub or another fan. On the other two sides are clip-on, transparent light gray side windows with the Corsair logo. The frame under the side windows is also transparent light gray. Rubber rings around the mounting holes are also intended to decouple the fans from the housing.
Black stickers with the Corsair logo are attached to the center of the rotor. Since the iCUE LINK connections are located on two sides of the fan frame, two cable harnesses also lead outwards along the stator blades. There are also eight RGB LEDs in the center of the rotor.
Material quality and workmanship
- very good material and processing quality
The material and workmanship quality of the Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB was impressive in the test. The fan frame is made of sturdy plastic and has a very clean finish, which also applies to the fan blades. Another practical feature is that the fan frames are magnetic and several fans attract each other when aligned correctly or repel each other when misaligned.
The iCUE LINK cables are significantly thicker than other fan cables and are therefore also very stable. Thanks to the various cables and connectors available, the fans can be connected to each other as well as to other iCUE LINK components according to your own requirements.
Software and RGB lighting
- Control via Corsair’s iCUE software
The Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB is controlled via Corsair’s iCUE software. The connected fans are automatically recognized and can be distinguished from one another with the help of the System Hub Assistant.
The lighting of the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB can be customized via the sub-item Lighting effects. There are several effects to choose from, whose color, speed and direction can be adjusted. You can tell from the small number of RGB LEDs (8 compared to 34 on the QX fans) that the fans are more performance-oriented. The appearance is much more discreet than the QX fans but still very appealing, also thanks to the transparent side windows.
The speed of the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB can be adjusted via the Cooling sub-item. There are fixed values as well as a temperature or load curve to choose from.
Performance and volume of the Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB
- wide control range from 300 to 1,700 rpm
- high performance, even in the low speed range
- already audible in the medium speed range
Corsair advertises the RX fans as case and radiator fans with high airflow at high static pressure. The fans have been optimized for this in several ways and have a very narrow housing for the largest possible rotor radius, optimized blades and stators for a strong and bundled airflow (Corsair Airguide technology). In contrast to the QX fans (our test), the RX fans do not have a temperature sensor.
We compare the performance and volume of the Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB with the Arctic P14 PWM PST in the test. The latter are well known and have already impressed in the large case fan test (140 mm) (our test) and the large radiator fan test (140 mm) (our test).
The two fans were tested in pull mode on a 420 mm radiator mounted in the front. The CPU is loaded with Cinebench 2024, after a warm-up time of 10 minutes, the average values of the CPU temperature are recorded over a period of 20 minutes. The values recorded in the table represent the difference between the CPU temperature and the room temperature, i.e. the warming of the CPU compared to the room temperature. Lower values are always better; to obtain the actual CPU temperature, the difference to the room temperature specified here must be added.
The volume was measured with a sound level meter from a distance of 50 cm and with the side panel open. The case fans ran constantly at 700 rpm during the entire test.
Test system
- ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi motherboard
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor
- 32 GB Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 6000 MT/s CL30 RAM
- INNO3D GeForce RTX 3060 Twin X2 graphics card
- Crucial T700 2 TB SSD
- Crucial T500 2 TB SSD
- Crucial MX500 4 TB SSD
- Seasonic Focus GX-550 power supply
- Fractal Design Torrent Black TG Dark Tint
Performance test results
We measured the performance and noise of the two fans at 1,000, 1,500 and 1,700 rpm, the maximum speed of both fans, to ensure good comparability. The pump of the AiO ran once at the lowest speed and once at the maximum speed.
| Fan speed | Fan speed | Difference between CPU and room temperature | ||
| Fan speed | Pump speed | CPU | CPU cores (ø) | |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST |
1.000 rpm | 2.400 rpm | 51,40 K | 44,00 K |
| 1.000 rpm | 2.800 rpm | 51,10 K | 43,40 K | |
| 1.500 rpm | 2.400 rpm | 50,40 K | 42,80 K | |
| 1.500 rpm | 2.800 rpm | 49,90 K | 42,20 K | |
| 1.700 rpm | 2.400 rpm | 49,30 K | 41,60 K | |
| 1.700 rpm | 2.800 rpm | 49,0 K | 41,30 K | |
| Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 |
1.000 rpm | 2.400 rpm | 51,00 K | 43,30 K |
| 1.000 rpm | 2.800 rpm | 50,40 K | 42,60 K | |
| 1.500 rpm | 2.400 rpm | 49,60 K | 41,90 K | |
| 1.500 rpm | 2.800 rpm | 49,30 K | 41,40 K | |
| 1.700 rpm | 2.400 rpm | 49,30 K | 41,60 K | |
| 1.700 rpm | 2.800 rpm | 49,20 K | 41,30 K | |
In pull mode, we achieve a CPU temperature that is 0.40 and 0.70 K lower with the Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB as a radiator fan at 1,000 rpm. At 1,500 rpm, the result is very similar at 0.80 and 0.60 K respectively, and at the maximum speed of 1,700 rpm, both fans are on a par. The two fans were also tested in push mode as radiator fans. The CPU temperatures were less than 1K lower with both fans and the temperature differences remained unchanged.
Volume test results
The volume of the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB is below 30 dB(A) at 1,000 rpm and therefore outside our measurement range, at 1,500 rpm at 47 dB(A) and at 1,700 rpm at 52 dB/A). Our impression is that the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB is already audible at 1,000 rpm, loud at 1,500 rpm and loud to very loud at 1,700 rpm. In the test, the fans started up at a speed of 300 rpm and could not be heard out of the closed housing up to 700 rpm.
The iCUE LINK RX140 RGB fans are not among the quietest fans, but offer high performance even at low speeds. The fans are therefore well suited for temperature-dependent control.
Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB review: Conclusion
The Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB achieved a consistently high performance in the test. The fans are particularly recommended in the low speed range, as they offer a very good compromise between high performance and low noise. Above this, the noise level increases significantly. The appearance of the RX fans is much more discreet than that of the QX fans but still very appealing, the material and workmanship quality is very good.
In addition, the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB fans offer the familiar advantages of the iCUE LINK Smart Component ecosystem (test). The fans can be connected in series and controlled individually, and adjacent fans can be connected with connectors. The more iCUE LINK components are used, the clearer these advantages become. On the other hand, the acquisition costs are high. These are currently ~40 € for a single fan and ~90 € for a starter kit (as of 10.05.2024).
If you are prepared to pay the high price of the fans or the ecosystem, the iCUE LINK RX140 RGB offers powerful and visually appealing RGB fans.
Corsair iCUE LINK RX140 RGB
Design
Workmanship
Cooling
Noise level
Features
Value for money
90/100
Very good and powerful, but also somewhat louder RGB fans. The fans offer the familiar advantages of the iCUE LINK ecosystem, but like the other components are very expensive.
