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Cooler Master MF120 Halo Review

Today, we will be testing the MasterFan MF120 Halo to evaluate both its design and performance.

Expert Verified by Hayyan Serwer
Beautiful Looks!

Review Summary

The Cooler Master MF120 Halo White Edition impresses with mesmerizing dual-ring A-RGB lights, smart sensors, and high-performance cooling, making it a top choice for enthusiasts seeking a visually stunning solution. However, it may not suit minimalistic or budget-friendly preferences.

Hours Tested: 4
Tech4Gamers Recommended Award

Overall
8.3/10
8.3/10
  • Design - 9/10
    9/10
  • Performance - 8/10
    8/10
  • Features - 8/10
    8/10
  • Value - 8/10
    8/10

Pros

  • Aesthetics
  • Performance
  • Smart Sensors
  • Unique Design
  • Compatibility

Cons

  • Noise

Cooler Master’s White edition of the MF210 Halo has landed on our desk, and I’m excited to share my thoughts. The standout feature is mesmerizing dual-ring A-RGB lights that, in my opinion, steal the show with their killer look. These fans are not just eye candy; Cooler Master markets them as the go-to solution for CPU air coolers and chassis intake fans. They’ve got a smart sensor for that. Let the review journey begin!

  • Why you can trust Tech4Gamers: We understand the importance of making informed decisions. That’s why our team spends significant time testing every product we review. Find out more about how we test.

Key Takeaways

  • Cooler Master MF120 Halo White Edition is a 120mm dual-ring A-RGB lighting fan designed for CPU air coolers and chassis intake fans, featuring smart sensors and noise reduction technologies.
  • It is ideal for enthusiasts and builders seeking a visually stunning, high-performance cooling solution with vibrant dual-loop A-RGB lighting, suitable for white-themed builds.
  • It is not recommended for users looking for minimalistic or budget-friendly cooling solutions, as the emphasis is on aesthetics and performance rather than simplicity or cost-effectiveness.

Our starting point will be the specifications.

Product Cooler Master MF120 Halo
Fan Profiles Addressable Gen 2 RGB
Number of LEDs 24pcs
Fan Speed 650-1800 RPM Ā± 10%
Fan Airflow 47.2 CFM Ā± 10%
Fan Air Pressure 1.6 mmH2O Ā± 10%
Fan Noise Level 6 – 30 dBA
Fan Dimensions (L x W x H) 120 x 120 x 25 mm / 4.7 x 4.7 x 1 inch
Fan MTTF 160,000 Hours
Fan Bearing Type Rifle Bearing
Fan Power Connector 4-Pin (PWM)
Fan Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Fan Rated Current 0.25A
Fan Safety Current 0.37A
RGB Connector 3-Pin
RGB Rated Voltage 5 VDC
RGB Rated Current 0.55A (0.8A Max)
Fan Power Consumption 3.0W
Fan Weight 180g / 0.4lbs
Fan Size 120
Fan – LED Lighting ARGB

Packaging and Unboxing

The MF120 Halo fans are shipped inside the cardboard box in Cooler Master Style packing.

Box Contents

We have the following accessories inside the box:

  • 1x MF120 Halo White Edition 120mm fan
  • 4x Self-Tapping Screws
  • User Guide
  • 1x Cable Cover
MF 120 Box Contents
Box Contents (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Design

Cooler Master introduces the MF120 Halo, a silent cooling solution with dual loop ARGB lighting, 9 frosted blades in a unique wave pattern, and smart fan sensors for the immediate motor stoppage on foreign object impact. The thick-framed, all-white design with concealed mounting corners and Cooler Master branded sticker ensures a sleek and vibrant addition to your CPU cooler and chassis intake fans.

The frame has a dual ring design with front and back A-RGB LEDs. The rear has a 5-arm assembly with latches to secure centre cables. Catchers on the frame border prevent cable falls. Cooler Master logo and power ratings on the top sticker. Fans are made in China using rifle bearings with 160,000 hours MTTF.

The fan comes with two white cables. A 4-pin PWM cable (450mm) powers the fan motor. The other is a 3-pin A-RGB cable (450+75mm) with matching white connectors.

PRO TIP: The Cooler Master MF120 Halo White Edition is perfect for visually striking, high-performance cooling in white-themed builds.
cooler master mf120 halo
Fan and ARGB Cables (Image By Tech4Gamers)

ARGB Lighting

Earlier, we looked at the black or standard edition of these Halo fans, which also come in a 3-in-1 pack with the controller. At that time, I thought that the white edition of these fans would make for a killer look in the build, particularly for the white builds. Having looked at the white edition, I am sure that thinking was not wrong. We have some decent airflow and static pressure rating, making these fans more useful for the caser airflow than for the heat sink use. Here are a few pictures for your eyes pleasure:

Testing

The following test benches have been used:

The following software was used for testing and monitoring:

  • Asus Real Bench v 2.56
  • Real Temp GT v 3.70

Here is the settings table for testing:

Voltage (V) 1.210
Clock (MHz) 4000
Turbo Boost Disabled
C-States Disabled
Speed Step Disabled
Thermal Paste Noctua NT-H1
Test Run Time 60 minutes
Idling Time 15 minutes
Fan Speed At various speeds as mentioned in the Graph
Pump Speed Connected to the AIO Pump header to run at 100% speed

I used Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste on the test bench for standardization. The graphs show delta temperatures. Testing on an open-air bench may differ from inside a chassis due to factors like mounting pressure, thermal paste, and ambient temperature. Variations can occur in stress test runs. I tested Cooler Master MF120 Halo fans on an ML240L V2 ARGB cooler with Sickleflow A-RGB fans. Thermal testing compared stock fans and MF120 Halo fans with new thermal paste.

WARNING: Not for minimalistic or budget-friendly preferences, and noise levels range from 6 to 30 dBA.

The Sickleflow 120 ARGB fans have the following data:

FANS Sickleflow 120 ARGB MF120 Halo
Rated Speed 65 ~ 1800 RPM Ā±10% 65 ~ 1800 RPM Ā±10%
Airflow 62 CFM 47.2 CFM Ā±10%
Static Pressure 2.5 mmHā‚‚O 1.6 mmHā‚‚O Ā±10%
Noise 8 ā€“ 27 dBA 32 dBA

100% Duty Cycle

We have also added the result of testing the standard/black edition of the MF120 Halo fans. At full speed, there was an approximate difference of 2.5Ā°C, which is understandable as the Sickleflow fans have better airflow and air pressure ratings.

Cooler Master MF120 Halo Thermal Performance
Thermal Performance (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Auto PWM

There is not much of a difference here. On Auto PWM, the MF120 Halo fans were operating at the 900 RPM mark, which is almost half the rated speed.

Auto PWM Benchmark for Cooler Master MF 120 Fan
Thermal Performance (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Here is a table showing the RPM range and corresponding airflow measurements of the Cooler Master MF120 Halo White:

PWM (%age) Speed (RPM) Airflow (CFM)
20 648 11.74
30 837 17.80
40 1005 23.21
50 1160 28.8
60 1290 33.80
70 1451 38.15
80 1563 41.18
90 1685 47.50
100 1801 50.00

Acoustics

The fans at 100% of their speed were doing approximately 50 dB(A) at an ambient of 33 dB.

Should You Buy It?

After a thorough examination of the MasterFan MF120 Halo White fans, here’s my recommendation:

Buy It If

āœ… You Have Visually Stunning Preference: You are a PC enthusiast or builder looking for a visually stunning cooling solution with vibrant dual-loop A-RGB lighting, especially for white-themed builds.

āœ… You Need Performance: You prioritize high-performance cooling with smart sensors and noise-reduction technologies for CPU air coolers and chassis intake fans.

āœ… You Appreciate Unique Design: You appreciate the unique design features such as the dual-ring A-RGB lights, frosted blades, and concealed mounting corners.

Don’t Buy It If

āŒ You Have Minimalistic or Budget-Friendly Goals: You seek a minimalistic or budget-friendly cooling solution, as the Cooler Master MF120 Halo White Edition emphasizes aesthetics and performance over simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

āŒ You Need Basic Functionality: You are not interested in advanced features like smart fan sensors and A-RGB lighting, and you prefer a more basic and straightforward cooling solution.

āŒ You Are Sensitive To Noise Level: You prefer fans with lower noise levels, as the MF120 Halo White Edition has a noise level ranging from 6 to 30 dBA.

Final Words

Cooler Master released new MasterFan MF120 Halo White fans in 1 and 3 packs. The fans feature dual-ring digital lighting and 9 frosted blades with a safety sensor. The white edition has cut-to-design anti-vibration pads and is AURA-compatible. The cables are white, with a 4-pin PWM power connector and dual A-RGB cable connectors. Compatible with ASUS AURA SYNC, MSI MYSTIC LIGHT SYNC, and ASRock POLYCHROME Sync. Standard 3-pin A-RGB connectors should work with any controller or motherboard with the standard header. MF120 Halo White fans use Rifle bearings, with a 160,000 hours MTTF, airflow rating of 47.2 CFM Ā±10%, air pressure rating of 1.6 mmHā‚‚O Ā±10%, and sound rating of 6-30 dBA.

We are thankful to the Cooler Master for providing the Cooler Master MF120 Halo Review.


Recent Updates

  • February 17, 2024: A few text changes to improve readability.Added image galleries.

 

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