Earlier this year we reviewed NZXT’s excellent HUE+ chromatic case lighting ystem, and now the company has moved to the next logical step: coloured case fans.
The new series is called Aer RGB, and essentially it’s a fan with a ring of LED lighting that runs around the periphery, leaving the centre a plain black. The fans connect to the HUE+ controller and can be programmed through NZXT’s CAM software.
RGB lighting options
Each fan can be set to a range of colours with different lighting effects, including these options:
- Presets: Fixed, Breathing, Fading, Marquee, Covering Marquee, Pulse, Spectrum Wave, Alternating, Candle Light, Wings
- Reactive: Smart (GPU and CPU Temperature, FPS), Audio, RPM
- Custom: Fixed, Breathing, Wave
It’s also possible to chain groups of fans together, unlocking more lighting options. Of course, the fans can also be sychronised to HUE+ case lighting strips if you have these in your PC as well.
Performance
Of course, a flashy fan is no good if it doesn’t deliver on performance as well. NZXT are promising quiet 22 dBA operation, controlled via four pin PWM, with ‘fluid dynamic’ bearings that should last for six years. There’s only a two year warranty, however — Corsair’s ML120 and ML140 magnetic levitation fans come with a much more appealing five year warranty.
Above: The HUE+ controller you’ll need
UK price & availability
The fans are available in 120mm and 140mm varieties, and come in a number of different bundles with and without the HUE+ controller, which is needed for the fans to operate. Here’s a breakdown of the UK prices (all inclusive of VAT):
- Aer RGB120 & HUE+: 2 x Aer RGB120 with HUE+ Controller £74.99
- Aer RGB140 & HUE+: 2 x Aer RGB140 with HUE+ Controller – £89.99
- Aer RGB120 Triple Pack: 3 x Aer RGB120 – £69.99
- Aer RGB140 Triple Pack: 3 x Aer RGB140 – £84.99
- Aer RGB120 – £31.99
- Aer RGB140 – £39.99
Wrapping up
We’ll look to get the fans in for review and let you know what we think. In the mean time, what are your first impressions? Let us know in the comments below.
We’ll close out the post with some additional stats for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
| Dimensions | Aer RGB120: 120 x 120 x 26mm Aer RGB140: 140 x 140 x 26mm |
| Material | Plastic, rubber, PCB |
| Weight | Aer RGB120: 183g Aer RGB140: 213g |
| Fan Rated Voltage | 12V DC |
| Fan Speed | 500-1,500 RPM |
| Fan Airflow | Aer RGB120: 20 – 61.4 CFM Aer RGB140: 23.9 – 71.6 CFM |
| Fan Air Pressure | Aer RGB120: 0.15 – 1.36mm-H2O Aer RGB140: 0.20 – 1.81mm-H2O |
| Fan Noise Level | Aer RGB120: 22 – 31 dBA Aer RGB140: 22 – 33dBA |
| Fan Life | 6 years |
| Fan Bearing | Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) |
| Fan Connector | 4-pin PWM |
| Model Number | RF-AR120-B1 (Aer RGB120 Single Pack) RF-AR120-T1 (Aer RGB120 Triple Pack) RF-AR140-B1 (Aer RGB140 Single Pack) RF-AR140-T1 (Aer RGB140 Triple Pack) |
| UPC | 815671012838 (Aer RGB120 Single Pack) 815671012883 (Aer RGB120 Triple Pack) 815671012821 (Aer RGB140 Single Pack) 815671012876 (Aer RGB140 Triple Pack) |
| EAN | 5060301693269 (Aer RGB120 Single Pack) 5060301693313 (Aer RGB120 Triple Pack) 5060301693252 (Aer RGB140 Single Pack) 5060301693306 (Aer RGB140 Triple Pack) |
| System Requirements | HUE+ is sold separately and is required to unlock Aer RGB’s full lighting features. PC with open internal USB 2.0 port Windows® 10 / Windows® 8 / Windows® 7 Internet connection is needed to download CAM |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
