Be Quiet! Light Wings 120mm PWM aRGB Case Fans (BL072) Review: Silent Performance & Customizable Lighting
Table of Contents
Introduction
In the world of PC hardware, cooling is paramount. Be Quiet!, a renowned brand known for its silent and efficient cooling solutions, has released the Light Wings 120mm PWM aRGB case fans (BL072), promising a balance of silence and performance with customizable ARGB lighting. In this review, we delve into the features, performance, and overall experience of these fans to see if they live up to the hype.
Features
The Be Quiet! Light Wings 120mm PWM aRGB case fans boast a range of features designed to deliver optimal cooling with minimal noise. These include:
- 7 Silence-Optimized Fan Blades: The unique blade design minimizes turbulence and noise while maximizing airflow. This translates to a quieter operation even at high speeds.
- PWM Control: The PWM functionality allows for precise fan speed control, giving you full control over your system’s noise levels and cooling performance.
- ARGB LED Lighting: The integrated ARGB LED lighting provides a customizable and vibrant lighting experience, allowing you to match your system’s aesthetic. The lighting is controlled via a separate controller, offering a wide range of colors and effects.
- Rifle Bearing Technology: Be Quiet! utilizes rifle bearing technology for long-lasting durability and smooth operation, minimizing noise and friction over time.
- Optimized for Silence: The fan’s design and implementation prioritize silence, ensuring a comfortable and unobtrusive experience, even under heavy workloads.
Performance
I installed the Light Wings fans in my PC’s front intake and rear exhaust positions, replacing the stock fans that came with my case. My system features an Intel Core i9-12900K processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card. I ran a series of benchmarks and stress tests to assess the fan’s performance and noise levels.
During idle and light workloads, the Light Wings fans operated virtually silently. Even under heavy gaming loads, they were noticeably quieter than the stock fans. The fans generated sufficient airflow to keep my system cool, preventing any significant throttling. While the fans are not the absolute quietest on the market, they strike a good balance between performance and noise.
The ARGB lighting is a nice bonus, adding a touch of personalization to my system. The included controller allows for easy customization of color and lighting effects. The ARGB is bright and vibrant, adding a subtle but visually appealing accent to my PC.
Pros & Cons
Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of the Be Quiet! Light Wings 120mm PWM aRGB case fans:
Pros:
- Quiet operation, especially at low to medium speeds.
- Excellent airflow, keeping components cool.
- ARGB lighting adds a touch of customization.
- Rifle bearing technology ensures longevity and smooth operation.
Cons:
- Can be a bit pricey compared to some other ARGB case fans.
- Noise levels increase noticeably at full speed.
Final Verdict
The Be Quiet! Light Wings 120mm PWM aRGB case fans (BL072) are a strong contender in the market, offering a good balance of silent operation and strong airflow. While they might be a little pricey, their build quality, performance, and ARGB lighting capabilities justify the cost. If you’re looking for case fans that provide both cooling power and quiet operation with a touch of aesthetic customization, I highly recommend the Be Quiet! Light Wings.
Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Light Wings 120mm PWM |
| Dimensions (mm) | 120 |
| Color option | Black |
| Lighting | ARGB LED |
| Fan speed @ 100% PWM / 12V (rpm) | 1700 |
| Noise level @ 100% PWM / 12V (dB(A)) | 20.6 |
| Air Flow @ 100% PWM / 12V (CFM / m3/h) | 41.51 / 70.53 |
| Air Pressure @ 100% PWM / 12V (mm H2O) | 1.66 |