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Introduction
Following up with my review of the new Corsair ML120 Pro fans, it’s time to now take a look at the bigger ML140 Pro offerings. Not a whole lot more to say here that has not been covered already in that review, so let’s thank Corsair again for the samples and get to it.
Once again, I received multiple ML140 Pro fans to show the different options available. But they all share the same performance, and differ only in aesthetics. As such, let’s take a look at the common specifications from the product page of the ML140 Pro (non LED) fan:
As with the ML120 series of fans, Corsair offers an ML140 Pro LED in red, white or blue colors along with an ML140 Pro non LED version + a twin pack of a ML140 “basic”. All of them have the same performance specification though- rated for a speed control range of 400-2000 RPM with PWM control. These are standard 25 mm thick, square frame fans and will work as case/radiator/heatsink fans depending on the mounting options available. The same 5 years of good customer support that I experienced with other Corsair products should apply here as well, so no complaints there either. Once again these fans are the result of a collaboration with Sunon for the their magnetic levitation bearing among other things. Also, while I always shy about discussing box specs of noise/airflow/static pressure, it must be noted that these have a considerably lower static pressure rating (even with the lower rated speed accounted for) but a higher airflow rating compared to the ML120 fans. We will soon see how this approach fares, but let’s first take a look at the fans on the next page.
Good to see that they are within margin of error to the Vardars. I would also have preferred that they did a bit more magic like the 120 counterparts, but I definitely dig the looks. Plus I don’t need to play the Vardar lottery and hope for some without any coil whine-like noise, even with the change (who knows when those will be stocked),
Now we just hope for a Newegg -20% fans coupon soon. 😛
Don’t hold your breath, these fans are selling more than anticipated and that’s why there are delays and shortages at some places.
I did see that Newegg’s stock was gone pretty quickly. PPCs still has most of their stock, however, I won’t be ordering for some time since my case is still a ways to go. 😛
Worst case we can always count on the PPCs 10% off coupon. 😀
Well now, that’s a lovely surprise to say the least. Given that I love how the frame looks, and that you can get them in LED variants (and that I could arguably get them at a local shop for the same price as online)…….. I have a distinct feeling I’m going to slowly yet steadily swap out my various fans for these ones.
Man those frames are gorgeous, and it’s great to see that they’re right up there with a lot of the more well known radiator fans. Obvious question that comes to mind though, is for radiators such as the Nemesis GTX line would one see any benefits to going with these fans over other options?
I am surprised about one thing though… Oh wait, that’s because there aren’t 140mm GT’s, never mind. 😛
The ML140 will be a better fit on the HWLabs Nemesis 140 GTX than the ML120 on the Nemesis 120 GTX.
You will definitely like the build quality here, and if you have access to them in a physical store then definitely check them out.
Oh nice, only $34.99 CAD each for regular, $39.99 CAD for the LED versions, and $49.99 CAD for the twin pack at MemoryExpress (my local store)… That puts them right in line with DazMode pricing for a few other fans, without having to worry about shipping costs or waiting…
Sure, they’re more expensive than the cougars, but at the same time given that I don’t have any actual radiator fans at this time (the cougars were purchased as airflow fans for my benching rig) I’m pretty sure that I could easily live with $25 CAD per fan – I was willing to contemplate that much for the EK Vardar F3-140ER’s, and I greatly prefer the look of the new Corsair ML lineup.
Also rather glad to hear they’d fit the Nemesis GTX better than the 120mm fans fit on 120mm Nemesis GTX rads, because I was looking at going with the 140mm radiators anyways.
That poor CAD!
Eh, it’s been worse. $5 extra per fan (25% increase) is something I’m willing to deal with since it’s so close to the current mid-market exchange rate anyways. Sure beats how some retailers have priced their products on launch (assumption of $1 CAD only being worth $0.65 USD comes to mind).
But I definitely have to say this…. Now it’s a tough decision between white LED’s or the plain two pack…. Well, aesthetics wise anyways, if I were to decide based upon the purchase of just four fans I’d pocket the $60 CAD and go with the “plain” fans, and going with push/pull setups would further that even more. But maaaaan are those white LED fans kind of gorgeous, and I like how they aren’t blatantly in your face about the light….
I have a nb eloop from the chart and if it is the most quiet fan i dont want to have anything to do with 140mm fans. The sheer amount of air they push is way too loud for me. There is zero motor noise tho.
I keep it on 5v as it is by far the loudest component. 120mm eloops are on the desk on a rad, yet they are waaay quieter on 1200rpm than the 140mm counterpart in the case on 7v. (Unsure of rpm)
The 140 mm eLoops are the quietest tested at a certain airflow through the radiator, not necessarily the quietest. As you said, there is a lot of airflow noise since those are airflow optimized. Comparing the 120 and 140 mm eLoops isn’t apt either as the 140s are using a massive motor and a big rotor.
Thank you for review.
Corsair ML140 fan blade looks like Noctua NF-A14 fan blade. 😀
The rotor is similar looking to a lot of different fans, but there are subtle differences in the manufacturing, design and QC that make all the difference. Funnily, I am testing some Thermalright fans which look very similar as well.
Interesting, did you get the new SQ fans in for review already?
I have a couple of them here, yes.
Looking forward to the review, these should be pretty interesting fans if prices come down to around the the price of the round frame variants.
I’m looking for new fans for my H110i GT (I sadly don’t have the originals and currently use Akasa Vipers, but they are rather mediocre). I’m considering between the Corsair ML140 dual pack and a couple of NF-A14 IPPC-2000’s.
Which fans would you suggest for a high FPI (>20) radiator? I’m most likely going to run them at relatively low rpm for lower noise.
I just found your site, you make some great reviews! Keep up the good work. 🙂
Go with what is less expensive for you, I imagine it would be the ML140 twin pack.
Thanks for the kind words!
Hello,
first I like to thank you for nice reviews of lots of fans.
I am torn between eloops, FD venturi and new Corsair ML. I will build PC in FD R5 case and I plan to remove stock GP14 fans for something better. I’m am looking for very silent build with lot of HDDs but also it would be nice to have option go higher with rpm if there is need for good cooling in summer or long rendering session. I want 2x140mm intakes in front, 1x down next to PSU blowing at GPU card and 1x at standard outtake at back.
At start I think that I will get eloops but when I watch some videos there was some strange noise in low RPM and also some people complain about it. Venturis end very nice at some reviews and they are nice priced in my country so I was thinking that I will get them. But Corsair just released ML series which looks pretty silent with very high RPM range.
Can you compare these 3 fans or give me advice?
Thanks
PC config: 6600K or AMD Zen (Scythe Ninja 4), RX480, ~3×3,5″HDD, ~3×2,5″HDD/SSD
The issue with the eLoops is that the rotor will make a noise if it is close to airflow restriction such as a fan filter, and this is especially audible at low fan speed. If you have a filter that within 10 mm of the fan, then skip the eLoops. The Fractal Design HP 120 mm fan is very good, but I would say that the ML 120 or even ML140 twin pack makes more sense.
Thanks for reply. If nothing special will came out till winter I will use new Corsairs MLs.
Hi,
i think there is a mistake in the last noise/airflow chart.
In the Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 review the Phanteks PH-F140MP beats the Venturi HP-14 clearly regarding the noise/airflow values starting at approx. 25.5dbA. Above the lowest noise value for the Phanteks fan is 27.5dBA. I think the Phanteks curve is 2dBA too high. According to the B14-3 review the PH-F140MP should even be quieter than the eLoop for airflow values lower than 125FPM.
Hi, since I use the sound lab at a common facility a few others who used it did not calibrate the probe correctly. So there were some issues in recordings in the middle, and I re-measured those fans. The latest values are the most accurate ones. I will make a page on the homepage to reflect latest results so people don’t have to go hunting, and then also be subject to issues like this. Thanks for being attentive and bringing it to my attention, someone like you was the reason I realized the calibration error in the first place.
Are you sure this is related to the calibration issue ?
The Corsair ML140 Pro curve is suspicious too.
In the >1800 RPM chart the ML140 Pro curve starts correctly at 25dBA/50FPM, but this isn’t the case in the last chart, where it starts at 28dBA/50FPM.
I’ve compared the datapoints with the first chart (the RPM/dBA/FPM chart) and the FPM values seem to be correct but the corresponding dBA values are not.
Look at the Y axes again. RPM vs noise has the scale of the Y axis from 21 to 65 dBA. RPM vs airflow has it from 25-800 FPM. The 3rd chart has airflow from 0-800 FPM and noise from 23-65 dBA. This change is primarily to fit the legend in and be able to distinguish the lines as much as possible, but also because RPM vs noise has more data points than RPM vs airflow (anemometer isn’t trustworthy below 50 FPM).
Sorry i don’t get it.
I’ve compared the curves of the ML140 Pro in the last 2 noise/airflow charts.
The datapoints (dbA/FPM) in the chart before the last are something like this:
25/50, 28/100, 31.5/180, 35.5/265, 38.5/320, 42.5/370, 45/420, 46.5/460 and 50/520.
But in the last chart we have:
28/50, 30.5/105, 33/180, 36.5/265, 42/315, 48/370, 51/415, 54/455, 58.75/520.
I’ve read both charts more than once, the FPM values obviously match, but the dBA values don’t.
Are my eyes that bad ? I hope not. 😉
Nope, you were right. I didn’t realize you were talking about the final chart. I use a single file for all the across RPM range comparisons and I use another fan’s data there instead. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Your eyes are VERY good: It is 25.8/51; 27.8/102; 31.7/183; 35.4/265; 38.8/311; 42.2/371; 45/415; 46.8/455; 50.2/521
Thanks a LOT for bringing this to my attention, serves me right for not double checking and looking at it on my phone.
well, looks like i’m sticking with Vardar F3s.
Man…… This is just great. I just dropped all that money on 7 Noctua NF-A14s six months ago. Because it was pretty much the only best option in the 140mm market. And now looks like I’ll be looking at upgrading again. Or side grade I should say. Since the tiny increase in airflow will barely translate to real noticeable performance gain. I am just a LED kinda guy and gotta have it. Ahhh! Thanks corsair. And thanks thermalbench for the detailed review.
Side grades everywhere!
There will be RGB LED 140 mm fans coming out sooner than later, if that’s more your style. I don’t know if they will perform as well though.
did you test the LED version of the ML140 too? they perform exactly the same right? it’ll be a shame if they didn’t.
Yes, I did. The results are the average of the four ML140 Pro fans provided (non LED, red, white and blue LED). The sample to sample variance was quite low, check the error bars for more info.
Can the M140 rotor be removed from the motor/frame for easy maintenance and even painting if we so wish?
I don’t believe it is easy, I had asked Corsair about it. I will double check and let you know.
I submitted a ticket to Corsair. And as far as they are aware, NONE of their fans can be disassembled. Well that’s funny cause it is easy enough to pop the blades out of the SP140’s.
According to them, as far as they are aware the construction of the bearing (besides the maglev) does not differ all that much from the other fans. So based on that, I am inclined to say that it “should” be able to be disassembled.
Two different Corsair contacts said that disassemly of the rotor is not recommended at all. The reason is that the rotor has to be perfectly balanced in order to get the magnetic levitation working perfectly and not giving any noise artifacts, and removing and putting the rotor back again by hand will almost always create issues.
Are these better performers than the SP140L that come packed with corsair top AIOs?
I was thinking swapping to those because after getting 4 replacement pairs of fans from corsair support, those SP140L just like to rattle/pulse/grind when placed horizontally. I was looking at the tech specs and, the ML140 pro seems to be inferior when it comes to airflow and static pressure to the SP140L.
Is there something I am missing or the ML are worse performers than the SP410L?
They are, take a look at the ML120 Pro review with comparisons to the retail SP120 and SP120 LED for some context: http://thermalbench.com/2016/07/12/corsair-ml120-pro-120-mm-fan/3/
As far as fan specs go, note also the max fan speeds on the SP140L. There are multiple versions, and most (if not all) have a higher max speed than 2000 RPM where the ML140 fans top off. With a higher fan speed, the max static pressure and airflow ratings are also higher. In reality, the fan specs from a lot of fan OEMs are also suspect and best taken with a grain of salt- especially the noise ratings.
Can you tell me how you positioned all the fans in your tests? Push or pull & did you use a shroud as you only mention attaching it to a 140 rad. Thanks.
In push configuration, thanks for reminding me as I forgot to mention it in that article. No shroud used in general unless mentioned specifically (some fans came with shrouds which were also tested for).
What would you recommend for a single fan setup on a 240 rad? Also, I have 2x 15mm shrouds. What is the optimal config. both with a shroud & without? I have heard something about flat spots in the centre on push, but installing them as pull alleviates this issue as does attaching a shroud, so my thinking is with a shroud push or pull doesn’t matter but without a shroud pull is optimal due to the hub flat spot. Is my reasoning correct?
Yes, going with pull is always better without a shroud. I test in a push configuration as most people do it so, with aesthetics a higher priority than best possible thermal dissipation. If you are using a shroud, then you can go with either as it mitigates the difference.