CORSAIR RS II vs RS Fans: What's the Difference?

Since launch, the RS Series has been one of CORSAIR's most widely used case fan lines, built around a straightforward pitch: daisy-chainable PWM fans that skip fan hubs and extra cabling, with AirGuide technology and a Magnetic Dome bearing for a solid balance of airflow and quiet running. That combination made the RS fans a common choice for both case airflow and radiator duty across different types of builds.

There is now a new kid on the block, the RS II fan lineup - the successor to the RS Series. The new RS II family has the RS120 II and RS140 II, along with 8x ARGB-equipped versions of each (RS120 II ARGB, RS140 II ARGB), and introduces a completely new housing design, the RS360 II Unified Frame - a triple-fan configuration that the RS didn't have in the original lineup. So what's actually changed under the hood, and what's new versus what's just been refined? Here's a look at what's changed, starting with the specs.

Since there's so many variants from each family, we will compare each model from their direct counterparts.

Right of the bat, the one thing that the RS lineup never had in its lineup is the Unified Frame variant. The original RS lineup was available as a triple-fan pack, three individual RS120 fans in matching packaging, each mounted separately. The RS360 II introduces something new to the RS family: a Unified Frame that houses three RS120 II fans in a single connected chassis. Just for kicks and giggles, I know we're comparing apples to oranges here, but let's do a comparison anyway to see if there's something that will stand out.

By the way each fan model are constructed, it's apparent that the practical difference between the two comes down to installation. Instead of positioning and screwing in three separate fans (12 screws total), the RS360 II Unified Frame mounts as one piece with just four screws. Power and signal routing also run through the frame itself rather than through three sets (2 each fan) of loose cables, which significantly reduces cable clutter behind the fans, eliminating airflow blockage that loose cabling can cause.

Both generations have the same core connectivity approach the motherboard: daisy-chained fans link together through a single 4-pin PWM connector back to the motherboard, so there's no need for a separate fan hub or controller. Fan groups (or the full 360mm Unified Frame) can be controlled together as a single group directly from motherboard fan-control software. This behavior is unchanged between generations — it's the installation and cable-routing experience around it (particularly with the Unified Frame) that's been refined.

As for ARGB variants, both the RS and RS II offer ARGB models. The RS II ARGB fans (RS120 II ARGB, RS140 II ARGB, RS360 II ARGB) are all equipped with 8x addressable RGB LEDs per fan, controlled via a +5V ARGB connection and the PWM connection, and are compatible with common motherboard RGB software (ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, ASRock RGB, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, and similar).

• CORSAIR AirGuide Technology carries over from the original RS fans, with angled anti-vortex stator vanes on each fan designed to focus and concentrate airflow, particularly useful for pushing air through dense radiator fin arrays.
• Zero RPM Mode is also featured on both generations, allowing fans to stop spinning entirely under low and moderate loads for silent operation when the system doesn't need active cooling.
• Magnetic Dome bearings are used across both fan families as well, minimizing friction between the fan rotor and housing to reduce mechanical noise and extend fan lifespan.
• Warranty remains unchanged at 5 years across both generations.