At first we would like to thank CORSAIR for offering us their iCUE QL140 RGB 140mm PWM Fans for testing and reviewing.

 

About Corsair:

"Founded in 1994, Corsair has grown from pioneering the high-performance DRAM market to one of the world’s leading providers of enthusiast-grade PC components and peripherals. Our groundbreaking technology and innovation can be found in our high-performance memory, ultra-efficient power supplies, PC cases, PC and CPU cooling solutions, and solid-state storage devices. Under the Corsair Gaming brand, launched in 2014, we provide gaming keyboards, mice, headsets and mouse mats to eSports professionals and anybody who is passionate about competitive PC gaming.

 

Corsair hardware is regularly featured in showcase “dream systems,” and we have earned the adulation and respect of the press, professional gamers and overclockers, high-end system integrators, and PC enthusiasts worldwide by delivering leading-edge technology backed by renowned service and support.

 

Corsair has developed a global operations infrastructure with extensive marketing and distribution channel relationships, and our products are available through leading distributors and retailers in over sixty countries worldwide."

Brilliant color

 

Four lighting zones and 34 LEDs per fan radiate spellbinding colors and effects on either side, for spectacular lighting regardless of whether they’re used for intake or exhaust.

 

Sized to fit

 

Available in 120mm as a single or triple-fan kit, and 140mm as a single or dual-fan kit.

 

Powerful, compact control

 

Control RGB lighting via CORSAIR iCUE software with the incredibly compact Lighting Node CORE, cutting down cable clutter with simple USB 2.0 and SATA connections.

 

Your setup at your command

 

Create mesmerizing animated lighting effects with powerful CORSAIR iCUE software, bringing your system to life with dynamic RGB lighting synchronized across all your iCUE-compatible products and immersive integrated lighting with compatible games.

 

Lower Your System Temperatures

 

Powerful fan speeds combined with PWM control ensures that the fans cool quickly and efficiently when needed but stay quiet under low loads.

 

120mm – up to 1,500 RPM and 41.8 CFM of airflow

140mm – up to 1,250 RPM and 50.2 CFM of airflow

 

Low-Noise Fan Blade

 

A semi-transparent fan blade delivers low-noise operation while allowing your RGB lighting to shine through.

 

Reduce Noise with Anti-Vibration Rubber Dampers

 

Built-in rubber dampers at the corner of each fan reduce vibration noise in your case, reducing fan noise at any speed.

 

Metallic Accents

 

Built-in front and back-facing metal logo plates on the fan hub add a touch of class to your build.

Intelligent Control. Unlimited Possibilities.

 

CORSAIR iCUE software brings your system to life with dynamic RGB lighting synchronized across all your iCUE compatible products, including fans, RGB LED light strips, keyboards, mice and more.

 

 

CORSAIR has recently released a brand-new series of fans, the QL series that is available in both 120mm and 140mm formats. Unlike the ML that were featuring magnetic levitation bearings, these ones function on a more standard hydraulic bearing but come with the most advanced RGB lighting system we have seen so far. 34 individually addressable RGB LEDs can be configured across four distinct light loops and these fans can be connected to the Lighting Node CORE module (included with multi-fan kits) and afterwards directly to the motherboard via USB 2.0 interface. This new module practically integrates the functions of the CORSAIR iCUE Lighting Node PRO and RGB LED fan hub into a single device.

 

For showcasing the new fans in our trusty Graphite 760T White Edition case, CORSAIR has sent us five QL140 fans, in two 2-fan packs and one single fan box:

 

 

 

These fans were designed to run at lower RPM speeds (up to 1250), while maintaining good performance and keeping the noise as low as possible. The packaging of a single fan does show on the top cover a photo of the RGB goodness, but also some technical details:

 

 

 

 

As we have seen with the previous CORSAIR products, this one also comes with a saying on the packaging “Super Chilled” :)

 

 

 

The opposite side of the packaging does not come with extra info:

 

 

 

On the bottom side, we will get to see the packaging list:

 

 

 

Finally, on the back we will get to see a list of product highlights, in multiple languages, but also the full list of tech specs:

 

 

 

After removing the top packaging layer, we will get to see the compartment where the QL140 fan is secured, along with its bundle:

 

 

 

Speaking of the bundle, we will receive some screws for case mounting:

 

 

 

While the external frame of the fan is black, the inner rings are white; in the front we do have the outer ring with no less than 12 configurable LEDs, while the inner ring does house four LEDs. In the frontal area of the fan (hub) we can spot a metallic, machined aluminum circular layer with the CORSAIR logo in the middle:

 

 

 

The corners of the frame do feature rubber dampers for reducing the fan vibration noise to a minimum:

 

 

 

A closer look at the frame does show the separation between the frontal and back rings:

 

 

 

 

 

For the back side of the fan, we have a similar configuration, only that the inner ring comes with 6 addressable RGB LEDs; the metallic circular design is present here as well:

 

 

 

The cable is carefully routed inside the frame:

 

 

 

Each fan does feature two separate cables, as seen with the previous generation CORSAIR RGB fans: the regular one for the PWM functionality but also the second for the Lighting Node CORE:

 

 

 

The 140mm dual-fan kit box does feature the same outer design elements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After unsealing the box, we will get to see that it does feature no less than three separate compartments:

 

 

 

The bundle box is more detailed in this case and comes with some leaflets, a small manual, mounting screws but also the Lighting Node CORE:

 

 

 

The user can easily follow the included instructions for mounting the Lighting Node CORE inside the chassis and how to properly connect the RGB fans to it:

 

 

 

The Lighting Node CORE module is also supplied with 3M double sided tape:

 

 

 

It can control up to six RGB fans via its numbered headers and will communicate with the iCUE software via USB bus:

 

 

 

 

On its back we have the area where the double-adhesive tape should be attached:

 

 

 

Besides the USB 2.0 interface, the module needs extra power from a SATA PSU connector:

 

 

 

As mentioned previously, on the Graphite 760T White Edition case we have had installed a set of 140 RGB ML fans, which do feature a simple design in terms of lighting:

 

Frontal Fans, without filter

Full case RGB setup

Exhaust fan

Hydro Series H115i radiator

Intake fans

Exhaust fan mesh

Intake fans with filter attached

 

After connecting the CORSAIR Lighting Node CORE to a spare USB port, it will be detected by iCUE right away and prompt for configuration:

 

 

We will first select the type of fans we have connected from the Lighting Setup menu, along with the number of fans:

 

 

Configuration is available in very much detail, so we get pictograms for each fan and its LEDs; we can also observe that the GUI is split between the frontal fans and the back fans:

 

 

Plenty of LED lighting presets can be selected for configuration (new ones are added as well, such as Infinity, Gate, Ping):

 

 

Spiral Rainbow

Rainbow

Color Shift

Color Pulse

 

Color Wave

Sequential

Strobing

Rain

Visor

Marquee

Temperature

Arc

Heartbeat

 

Pong

Color Warp

Rotary Stack

Infinity

Gate

Ping

Rainbow Channel

Static Color

 

One new element with the Lighting Node CORE is that we can configure a lighting effect which will play when iCUE is not running:

 

 

The Settings area does allow the user to set the LED brightness, but also update the CORE module:

 

 

Before installing the fans inside the case, we did some test runs, in order to look at the lighting system. On the default setting, the LEDs are quite bright and look fantastic:

 

 

 

 

After the installation inside the case, the LEDs of the new QL140 fans make you think that it is no longer needed to have separate RGB strips installed inside the case, their light will illuminate successfully other components inside the case as well:

 

Case front, filter removed

Intake fans

Case interior view

Radiator fans

Exhaust fan

Front fans, filter attached

Outside the case

 

 

 

Inside the case

 

 

 

The new QL140 fans from CORSAIR are a real step-up in terms of lighting compared to many other models, while the 34 addressable LEDs do allow creating unique effects. Most fans do have a single layer of configuration for the inner/outer ring, but this time we get separate zones (front/rear), that can be enabled or disabled independently. For minimizing the cable clutter, the multi-fan kits do also bring the Lighting Node CORE module, that does not need an additional module to get the fan RGB system fully operational and gets connected straight to an available USB 2.0 header.

 

If we decide not to go with the Lighting Node CORE solution, we then have the option to integrate the Lighting Node PRO with the usual Lighting Hub and get up to 6 QL RGB fans connected to it. The Commander PRO does bring even more flexibility, so we can connect two Lighting Hubs to it, for a maximum of 12 QL RGB fans. By opting for the last solution, we will also benefit from the additional headers offered by the module such as PWM 4-pin for connecting the fans directly to it instead of the motherboard or another fan controller but also 4x thermistor ports for monitoring temperature in detail in other areas.

 

As noted by the manufacturer, our measurements do show that these fans do remain silent during operation; we have measured with the sound meter 30cm away from the blades, the ambient noise being 29.4 dBA:

 

 

 

The single fan pack is available online for about 40 Euros, while the dual fan kit can be had for about 100 Euros.

 

Let’s sum up with the pros and cons list:

 

Pros:

 

-good quality materials, premium look

-very interesting build, with individual light rings, while the front is separated from the back

-no less than 34 addressable LEDs per fan

-Lighting Node CORE simplifies the RGB connection procedure

-integration with iCUE for complex configuration options, the fans do integrate with the other compatible devices

-multiple connection possibilities, the old modules being supported as well

-low noise levels

 

Cons:

 

-expensive

CORSAIR iCUE QL140 RGB 140mm PWM Fans are Recommended for:

 

 

We would like to thank again to CORSAIR for making this review possible!