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Review Summary
The darkFlash CX6 AURORA SPECTRUM RGB White fans offer budget-friendly, visually appealing options for case ventilation, featuring customizable RGB lighting. While they perform well in tests, their full-speed noise level may not suit users prioritizing whisper-quiet operation.
Hours Tested: 4
Overall
-
Performance - 8.5/10
8.5/10
-
Value - 9/10
9/10
-
Build Quality - 9/10
9/10
-
Features - 7.5/10
7.5/10
Pros
- Budget-Friendly
- Aesthetically Pleasing RGB Lighting
- Compatible with ASUS AURA SYNC and Standard 5V, 3-pin Connectors
Cons
- Noticeable Noise at Full Speed
- Limited Information on Brand Compatibility
I recently tested the darkFlash CX6 AURORA SPECTRUM RGB fans, available in Black, White, Pink, and Neo Mint colors, offered in single, 3-in-1, and 5-in-1 packs with PWM and Voltage control. I specifically tried the 3x CX6 white fans, boasting a 2000 RPM rating, 55.29 CFM airflow, and 1.63mm H₂O static pressure—ideal for case ventilation. Now, let’s get into the review!
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Key Takeaways
- darkFlash CX6 AURORA SPECTRUM RGB White fans are 120mm, PWM-controlled, and A-RGB illuminated fans are designed for case ventilation.
- It suits users seeking budget-friendly, visually appealing fans with customizable RGB lighting for case ventilation.
- It is not ideal for users who prioritize extremely quiet operation, as these fans may produce noticeable noise at full speed.
The outlined specifications are provided here.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | darkFlash |
| Model | CX6 PWM |
| Dimensions | 120x120x25mm (WxDxH) |
| Fan Speed | 800-2000+ 10% RPM |
| Noise Level | 18-30 dBA (Max) |
| Airflow | 55.29 CFM |
| Static Pressure | 1.63mm H₂O |
| Current | 0.3-0.5 |
| MTTF (Mean Time to Failure) | 30,000 hrs |
| Bearing Type | Rifle Bearing |
Packaging and Unboxing
The fan is shipped inside a paperboard packing box in black and orange colors
Design
Let’s check out the fans. They’re 120x120x25mm in size, with 7 translucent blades. The frame is white with a slight blue-white hint, and the center features darkFlash branding.
The blades feature a 3D striped design, with three stripes protruding towards the trailing edge of each blade. This design aims to enhance airflow efficiency while reducing drag. The frame has rounded, sloped corners with anti-vibration pads in white color on each mounting corner. Some corners show scratches, suggesting previous use.
The fan features a stylish striped design on the frame. It has a sturdy build with no arrow symbols for installation guidance. The backside has a unique 6-arm assembly holding the motor and blades but lacks power rating and model details. Made in China, black spots on anti-vibration pads suggest previous use. One arm is wider with an inset for wire routing.
The fans use Rifle bearings with a 30,000-hour lifespan. The motor appears to have 4 poles. The white, flat cables are of sufficient length and come with a 4-pin PWM connector.
There is a standard 3-pin, 5V ARGB female connector with a flat white color cable. There is also a 3-pin male connector. This allows the daisy-chaining of the fans for a single and synchronized control of the fans.
A-RGB Lighting
Surprisingly, darkFlash says on their website that these fans are compatible with ASUS AURA SYNC, but no other motherboard brand is mentioned. However, since the fans use standard 5V, 3-pin connectors, they will work with any motherboard. We tested them on the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS MASTER using RGB FUSION 2.0 and found them working flawlessly, responding to changes in light mode.
Here are a few pictures of these fans in action:
Testing
The following test bench is used for thermal performance testing:
- GIGABYTE X670E AORUS MASTER Motherboard
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700X [5.2GHz, 1.26V]
- DeepCool LT520 240mm AIO
- XPG Lancer RGB 32GB @ 6000MHz
- MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio 24G
- Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB NVMe SSD
- be quiet! Straight Power 11 850W Platinum PSU
- Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open-frame layout
I tested the cooler’s thermal performance using a 30-minute run of Cinebench R23, comparing the DeepCool FK120 fans with the darkFlash CX6 RGB White fans. It’s important to note that each stress test run may not have the same result due to factors like mounting pressure, thermal paste application, ambient temperature, and silicon differences among chips. Providing the testing methodology and specifics is crucial.
Thermals
With an ambient temperature of around 18 to 20°C, there’s a difference of approximately 1.3°C between the DeepCool fans and the dark flash CX6 RGB White fans. This shows that the darkFlash fans performed well, considering the DeepCool FK120 is designed for high static pressure with a rating of 2000 RPM, 3.27 mm H₂O static pressure, and 85.85 CFM airflow.
Acoustics
The fans at 100% of their speed were doing approximately 51 dB(A) at an ambient of 32 dBA. The DeepCool FK120s were doing 50 dBA.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅ You are on a Budget: The darkFlash CX6 AURORA SPECTRUM RGB White fans offer a budget-friendly option for users looking to enhance case ventilation without breaking the bank.
✅ You Prioritize Aesthetics: If customizable RGB lighting is a key factor, these fans with A-RGB illumination in cool colors like White, Black, Pink, and Neo Mint might be the perfect fit for your visually appealing setup.
✅ You Want Compatible RGB Lighting: If you own an ASUS motherboard with AURA SYNC or any other motherboard with standard 5V, 3-pin connectors, these fans will seamlessly integrate into your RGB ecosystem.
Don’t Buy It If
❌ You Require Whisper-Quiet Operation: These fans may not be ideal if you prioritize an extremely quiet operation, especially at full speed, as they can produce noticeable noise (rated 18-30 dBA).
❌ You Need Specific Brand Compatibility: While the fans claim compatibility with ASUS AURA SYNC, the limited information may pose uncertainty if you prefer other motherboard brands for RGB control.
Final Words
The darkFlash CX6 AURORA SPECTRUM RGB White fans are budget-friendly and stylish in different colors. They come in 120mm size, offering a speed range of 800 to 2000 RPM, airflow of 55.29 CFM, and static pressure of 1.63 mm H₂O. They aim to enhance airflow with 7 translucent blades and a 3D stripe design. These A-RGB fans have standard connectors compatible with most motherboards. In tests against DeepCool FK120 fans, the CX6 fans performed well, trailing by 1.3°C. They are suitable for case ventilation, but full-speed operation may result in high noise, so a custom fan curve is recommended.
Recent Updates
- February 25, 2024: A few text changes to improve readability. Added image galleries.
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[Hardware Expert]
With a major in Computer Science, Sameed is a tech enthusiast who puts his passion for gadgets into words and creates informative blogs. From comparing different hardware to reviewing the best RAMs, motherboards, and graphics cards for your next build, Sameed has covered a wide spectrum of topics that have given him a special insight into every nook and cranny of the tech world. Sameed is also a certified expert at Computer Hardware & Networking.
Get In Touch: sameed@tech4gamers.com
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