Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Pro Fan Review

Epilogue

The Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Pro achieves good performance in the 25 dBA and 30 dBA noise normalized tests, where is close to the XPG Nidec Vento Pro 120 PWM and the Phanteks T30-120 (in advanced mode) in both airflow and static pressure. At low speeds, specifically in the 20 dBA noise normalized test, it has the second-best airflow score, dropping to fifth place in static pressure, with no significant difference from the better-performing fans.

Two things trouble me in this fan, besides the high price. The first is the lack of a daisy-chain option, where you can install multiple fans using a single cable. The fan’s maximum power is increased at 2.36W, and possibly Thermaltake didn’t want to create any issues to the mainboard fan headers and on the power cable, expecting that users could install three or more in a daisy chain, pushing them hard enough. The second thing that troubles me even more, is the high difference in the claimed airflow and noise output readings versus what I measured with my calibrated and accurate equipment. You cannot call low an 18.5% difference in the claimed static pressure and a whopping 35.8% difference in noise output. In TT’s defense, the noise measurement procedure is not mentioned, which is usually the case for most IT products.

All in all, for 25 dollars, the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Pro is expensive, and it will have a tough time competing with the XPG Nidec Vento Pro 120 PWM, which goes for 21 dollars, and the more expensive Phanteks T30-120, which currently is the leader in the 120mm fan category.