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Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo vs Thermalright TL-C12C: Comparison
What is the difference between Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo and Thermalright TL-C12C?
The gap that matters here is airflow: Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo 47.2 CFM against Thermalright TL-C12C 66.17 CFM, which puts Thermalright TL-C12C 29% ahead. Add max speed to that, 1800 RPM on the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo versus 1550 RPM on the Thermalright TL-C12C, and the pattern holds. Positioning is not the same on both, Mainstream on the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo versus Value ARGB on the Thermalright TL-C12C. They differ on colors too, Black/White on the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo versus Black or White on the Thermalright TL-C12C.
Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo vs Thermalright TL-C12C: which one fits your build
The Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo is the one to take for case-window centerpiece fans and builders wanting layered dual-ring lighting effects, though it is not built for radiator or high-restriction duty and Maximum-CFM performance builds. The Thermalright TL-C12C suits single or small-quantity ARGB fan purchases and budget filtered-intake positions, though it is not the pick for bulk multi-fan purchases where the -S pack is cheaper and premium/quiet-first builds. Our rating of the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo (7/10): the pick within Cooler Master's lineup when dual-ring lighting matters more than raw airflow. Our rating of the Thermalright TL-C12C (7/10): excellent value ARGB fan; buy this version over the -S when you want the full controller bundle.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, fan size, connector type, fan thickness and pwm control included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo and Thermalright TL-C12C differ on static pressure?
Yes. Static Pressure reads 1.6 mmH2O on the Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo versus 1.53 mmH2O on the Thermalright TL-C12C.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 120 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 120 mm
Brand
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- Cooler Master
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Thermalright
Model
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- MasterFan MF120 Halo
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- TL-C12C
Bearing Type
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- Rifle
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Fluid Dynamic
Fan Thickness
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 25 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 1.6 mmH2OBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1.53 mmH2O-4%
Max Speed
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 1800 RPMBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1550 RPM-14%
Airflow
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 47.2 CFM-29%
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 66.17 CFMBest
Noise Level
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 30 dBA
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25.6 dBABest
PWM Control
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- Yes
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Yes
Connector Type
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- 4-Pin PWM
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 4-Pin PWM
Positioning
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- Mainstream
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Value ARGB
Colors
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
- Black/White
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Black or White
Which one should you pick?
Choose Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo if you want the higher static pressure (1.6 mmH2O vs 1.53 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (1800 RPM vs 1550 RPM).
Choose Thermalright TL-C12C if you want the higher airflow (66.17 CFM vs 47.2 CFM) and the lower noise level (25.6 dBA vs 30 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo | Thermalright TL-C12C |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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
Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Halo
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The pick within Cooler Master's lineup when dual-ring lighting matters more than raw airflow.
Thermalright TL-C12C
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Excellent value ARGB fan; buy this version over the -S when you want the full controller bundle.