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Corsair AF120 Elite vs Thermalright TL-C12C: Comparison
What is the difference between Corsair AF120 Elite and Thermalright TL-C12C?
Start with static pressure, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Corsair AF120 Elite 1.93 mmH2O against Thermalright TL-C12C 1.53 mmH2O, 21% in favour of Corsair AF120 Elite. Airflow runs the same way, 59.1 CFM on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 66.17 CFM on the Thermalright TL-C12C, another win for Thermalright TL-C12C. Noise level is closer, 28.9 dBA on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 25.6 dBA on the Thermalright TL-C12C. Add max speed to that, 1850 RPM on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 1550 RPM on the Thermalright TL-C12C, and the pattern holds. They differ on positioning too, Performance on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus Value ARGB on the Thermalright TL-C12C.
Who each one is for
The Corsair AF120 Elite is the one to take for mesh-front intake positions and builds that don't want RGB clutter, though it is not built for radiator or filtered-intake duty and budget-per-fan shoppers. Buy the Thermalright TL-C12C for single or small-quantity ARGB fan purchases and budget filtered-intake positions, though it is the wrong buy for bulk multi-fan purchases where the -S pack is cheaper and premium/quiet-first builds. Our rating of the Corsair AF120 Elite (7/10): A clean, quiet airflow fan for mesh cases, though the Arctic F12 PWM matches it for less money. 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.
What Corsair AF120 Elite and Thermalright TL-C12C have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan size, bearing type, connector type, fan thickness and pwm control read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 120 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 120 mm
Brand
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Corsair
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Thermalright
Model
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- AF120 Elite
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- TL-C12C
Bearing Type
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Fluid Dynamic
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Fluid Dynamic
Fan Thickness
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 25 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 1.93 mmH2OBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1.53 mmH2O-21%
Max Speed
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 1850 RPMBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1550 RPM-16%
Airflow
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 59.1 CFM-11%
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 66.17 CFMBest
Noise Level
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 28.9 dBA
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25.6 dBABest
PWM Control
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Yes
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Yes
Connector Type
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- 4-Pin PWM
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 4-Pin PWM
Positioning
- Corsair AF120 Elite
- Performance
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Value ARGB
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair AF120 Elite if you want the higher static pressure (1.93 mmH2O vs 1.53 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (1850 RPM vs 1550 RPM).
Choose Thermalright TL-C12C if you want the higher airflow (66.17 CFM vs 59.1 CFM) and the lower noise level (25.6 dBA vs 28.9 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair AF120 Elite | Thermalright TL-C12C |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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
Corsair AF120 Elite
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A clean, quiet airflow fan for mesh cases, though the Arctic F12 PWM matches it for less money.
Thermalright TL-C12C
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Excellent value ARGB fan; buy this version over the -S when you want the full controller bundle.