Cooler Master MF120 Halo Review

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Nauman Siddique

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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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!

Key Takeaways

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

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.

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:

• Asus Rampage V Edition 10
• Intel i7 6850k
• Cooler Master ML240L V2 ARGB
• Corsair Vengeance RED LED 16GB @ 2666MHz
• Colorful iGame GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4G
• Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD
• Cooler Master MWE 650W Gold PSU
• Open-air Test bench

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:

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.

The Sickleflow 120 ARGB fans have the following data:

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 2.5°C, which is understandable as the Sickleflow fans have better airflow and air pressure ratings.

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.

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

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

✅ 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.

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

✅ 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

❌ 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.

❌ 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.

❌ 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 ±10%, air pressure rating of 1.6 mmH₂O ±10%, and sound rating of 6-30 dBA.

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

Nauman Siddique

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com