CORSAIR iCUE LINK RX MAX & RX MAX RGB fans: Everything you need to know

CORSAIR iCUE LINK RX MAX fans are a new addition to the iCUE LINK ecosystem. Much like the iCUE LINK QX fans of 2023, these have a lot of great features, as well as being 30mm thick – which is far more beneficial than you’d think a 5mm difference would be. Let’s take a look.

The increased thickness is the first thing to be aware of. The extra 5mm is surprisingly beneficial, as it allows for more airflow at any given speed compared to a standard 25mm fan. This results in quieter operation, which is always good, or you can crank them faster for more effective cooling without exceeding the noise of normal fans. We wrote an article all about the performance difference between 25mm and 30mm fans that you can read for a more detailed overview.

Those who have experienced wrangling what feels like hundreds of cables back and forth between fans, the motherboard, splitters, and RGB/PWM hubs will find the iCUE LINK compatibility of the RX MAX fans a breath of fresh air. Basically, everything connects using the same type of cable, and fans directly adjacent to each other simply click together. This is all connected back to the iCUE LINK System Hub, which can handle up to 24 devices in total. More than enough for all the fans, waterblocks, and AIOs that your system might contain.

We’ve also equipped the RX MAX and RX MAX RGB fans with our latest performance designs. AirGuide for example, more effectively funnels the air pushed by the fans into a concentrated column, instead of spraying it out into more of a cone shape.

This is handy for both airflow and static pressure needs, as it results in the airflow being more accurate towards what the fan is “aimed” at, and the higher concentration makes the fans better at powering through the restrictive grid of fins of watercooling radiators.

Additionally, the frame and the blades of the non-RGB RX MAX fans are both made from glass-fibre reinforced plastic. this means that the plastic is far stiffer than it otherwise would be, which allows the tolerances to be a lot tighter which in turn increases performance. Note that the non-RGB RX MAX fans are only available in black.

Each fan comes with eight individually addressable RGB LEDs which can be used to create dynamic light shows via iCUE. Each fan also comes with an optional decorative side panel which gives you a choice in the look of the edge of the fan. This panel makes the fans look better side-on, which is particularly handy when they’re attached underneath a top-mounted AIO radiator for example.

The CORSAIR iCUE LINK RX MAX and RX MAX RGB fans are available now in 120mm and 140mm sizing, so take a look at the main CORSAIR website, as they might just be the best choice for your next build.