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Arctic P12 Max vs Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12: Comparison

Arctic P12 Max vs Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12: the static pressure difference

Static pressure is where these two genuinely part company, Arctic P12 Max 4.35 mmH2O against Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 2.41 mmH2O, a 45% lead for Arctic P12 Max. Add airflow to that, 81.04 CFM on the Arctic P12 Max versus 58.35 CFM on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12, and the pattern holds. They differ on bearing type too, Fluid Dynamic on the Arctic P12 Max versus Hydraulic on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12. Max speed runs the same way, 3300 RPM on the Arctic P12 Max versus 2000 RPM on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12, another win for Arctic P12 Max. The min speed figures are near enough to ignore, 400 RPM on the Arctic P12 Max versus 500 RPM on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12. Start voltage is not the same on both, 3.9 V on the Arctic P12 Max versus 9 V on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12.

Who each one is for

Take the Arctic P12 Max for radiator and dense heatsink applications needing high static pressure at a budget price. Avoid it for silent-first builds that never need the fan's higher speed range, a quieter-tuned fan may suit better at low RPM. The Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 is the one to take for thick AIO and custom-loop radiators and high-restriction, high-RPM setups, though it is not the pick for quiet, low-RPM builds and open case front intakes. Our rating of the Arctic P12 Max (8/10): the highest static pressure in our case fan lineup at a budget price, ideal for radiators and dense heatsinks. Our rating of the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 (8/10): one of the better plain-black high-pressure radiator fans, built tough for AIO and custom-loop use.

What Arctic P12 Max and Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 have in common

The common ground is wider than the gap: fan size, connector type, fan thickness and pwm control are identical here.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Arctic P12 Max
    120 mm
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    120 mm
  • Brand

    Arctic P12 Max
    Arctic
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Thermaltake
  • Model

    Arctic P12 Max
    P12 Max
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    TOUGHFAN 12
  • Bearing Type

    Arctic P12 Max
    Fluid Dynamic
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Hydraulic
  • Fan Thickness

    Arctic P12 Max
    25 mm
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    25 mm
  • Static Pressure

    Arctic P12 Max
    4.35 mmH2OBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    2.41 mmH2O-45%
  • Max Speed

    Arctic P12 Max
    3300 RPMBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    2000 RPM-39%
  • Airflow

    Arctic P12 Max
    81.04 CFMBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    58.35 CFM-28%
  • PWM Control

    Arctic P12 Max
    Yes
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Yes
  • Min Speed

    Arctic P12 Max
    400 RPM
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    500 RPMBest
  • Start Voltage

    Arctic P12 Max
    3.9 V
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    9 V
  • Connector Type

    Arctic P12 Max
    4-Pin PWM
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    4-Pin PWM

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Arctic P12 Max if you want the higher static pressure (4.35 mmH2O vs 2.41 mmH2O), the higher max speed (3300 RPM vs 2000 RPM) and the higher airflow (81.04 CFM vs 58.35 CFM).

    Choose Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Price comparison

    RetailerArctic P12 MaxThermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Amazon

    $17.99

    View on Amazon
    NeweggView on Newegg
    ThermaltakeView on Thermaltake

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Arctic P12 Max

    8 / 10 Expert Rating

    The highest static pressure in our case fan lineup at a budget price, ideal for radiators and dense heatsinks.

    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12

    8 / 10 Expert Rating

    One of the better plain-black high-pressure radiator fans, built tough for AIO and custom-loop use.

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