The Thermalright TL-K12 is a highly affordable fan featuring sold build quality, ARGB lighting and balanced performance.
Today’s sample is bought by Hardware Busters. It WASN’T provided by Thermalright!
Thermalright is widely known for its highly affordable products, which manage to register high performance in the majority of cases. In today’s review, I will evaluate the TL-K12 fan, for which there isn’t much info on Thermalright’s site. Just a bunch of photos and the technical specifications. Nothing else. I’ll discover everything about this product throughout the review process, and so will you.
The Thermalright TL-K12 achieves a Platinum rating in airflow and a Gold rating in static pressure on the Cybenetics Phi scale.
Specifications
Official Technical Specifications:
- Model Number: TL-K12
- Cybenetics Phi Fan Performance Standard – Airflow Rating: Platinum
- Cybenetics Phi Fan Performance Standard – Static Pressure Rating: Gold
- Fan Speed Max 2150 RPM±10%
- Fan Airflow Max: 69 CFM
- Static Pressure Max: 2.87 mmH2O
- Fan Noise Level Max: 27 dBA
- Fan Bearing Type: S-FDB V2
- Bearing durability: no info provided
- Fan Rated Voltage: 12 VDC
- Fan Max Input Current: 0.16A
- Fan Max Wattage: 1.92W
- Daisy-Chain Capable: No
- Cable Length: 445mm
- Fan Connector: 4-pin (PWM) / 3-pin (ARGB)
- Fan Weight: 220 gr
- ARGB: Yes
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 120 x 120 x 25mm
- Price (excluding VAT): $10.4
- Warranty: 3 years
Pages:
I highly doubt this fan has any sort of proper “FDB” bearing. Especially not at this price point. I’ve disassembled one C12B fan before and the claimed “FDB” was actually just a rifle bearing.
They’re just like Arctic in this matter.
True, real and proper “FDB” bearing with long endurance would by itself raise the cost by 15-20$, mainly due to the need of QA.
If you go after cheap fans, don’t expect them to last and your wallet will keep crying. Now, i’m not saying: “go for most expensive stuff”, i’d rather say: “manage your expectations”. The more you’ll keep buying these junk fans, the more e-waste will be created.
They provide a photo on the product page on Amazon of a true FDB.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media-library-service-media/05af079a-6510-4fc4-b6b6-35a9435214c8.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg
I’ve love to see how the Fractal Momentum 12 and 14 fans fare. Are they really top-tier like other reviewers say?
I installed three Momentum 14 (without RGB) fans on the front of a Phanteks P600S and had to return them because they generated a very annoying buzzing noise below 900 rpm. It’s a shame because I was hoping they would be high-quality fans. I finally installed three Corsair RS140 Max fans and I’m delighted because they move a lot of air and if you keep them below 1000 rpm, they are quiet enough.
RS140 Max are top, but bloody expensive. You get at least what you paid for (or a part of it ok)
Will you test the new Arctic P14 Pro fans? They claim to have higher CFM and Static Pressure than P14 Max fans.
Yes