Consumercarts

Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more

Corsair AF120 Elite vs Thermalright TL-C14C-S: Comparison

Corsair AF120 Elite vs Thermalright TL-C14C-S airflow compared

Airflow is where these two genuinely part company, Corsair AF120 Elite 59.1 CFM against Thermalright TL-C14C-S 75.8 CFM, a 22% lead for Thermalright TL-C14C-S. On noise level there is little in it, 28.9 dBA on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 26.4 dBA on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S. Fan size is not the same on both, 120 mm on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 140 mm on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S. Corsair AF120 Elite also leads on max speed, 1850 RPM on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus 1500 RPM on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S. There is a split on lighting as well, No RGB on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus ARGB on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S. They differ on rgb lighting too, No on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus Yes on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S. They differ on lighting type too, None on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus ARGB 5V on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S. Positioning is not the same on both, Performance on the Corsair AF120 Elite versus Budget on the Thermalright TL-C14C-S.

Corsair AF120 Elite vs Thermalright TL-C14C-S: which one fits your build

Buy the Corsair AF120 Elite for mesh-front intake positions and builds that don't want RGB clutter, though it is not the pick for radiator or filtered-intake duty and budget-per-fan shoppers. The Thermalright TL-C14C-S suits budget multi-fan ARGB upgrades and builders prioritizing airflow-per-dollar, though it is not built for premium acoustic refinement and radiator or high-restriction duty. 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-C14C-S (7/10): outsized 140mm ARGB airflow-per-dollar from a brand built on exactly that value proposition.

What Corsair AF120 Elite and Thermalright TL-C14C-S have in common

Where they agree, they agree completely, static pressure, bearing type, connector type, fan thickness and pwm control included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    120 mm
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    140 mm
  • Brand

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    Corsair
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    Thermalright
  • Model

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    AF120 Elite
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    TL-C14C-S
  • Bearing Type

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    Fluid Dynamic
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    Fluid Dynamic
  • Lighting

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    No RGB
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    ARGB
  • Fan Thickness

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    25 mm
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    25 mm
  • Static Pressure

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    1.93 mmH2O
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    1.93 mmH2O
  • Max Speed

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    1850 RPMBest
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    1500 RPM-19%
  • Airflow

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    59.1 CFM-22%
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    75.8 CFMBest
  • Noise Level

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    28.9 dBA
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    26.4 dBABest
  • PWM Control

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    Yes
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    Yes
  • Connector Type

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    4-Pin PWM
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    4-Pin PWM
  • RGB Lighting

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    No
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    Yes
  • Lighting Type

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    None
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    ARGB 5V
  • Positioning

    Corsair AF120 Elite
    Performance
    Thermalright TL-C14C-S
    Budget

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Corsair AF120 Elite if you want the higher static pressure (1.93 mmH2O vs 1.93 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (1850 RPM vs 1500 RPM).

    Choose Thermalright TL-C14C-S if you want the higher airflow (75.8 CFM vs 59.1 CFM) and the lower noise level (26.4 dBA vs 28.9 dBA).

    Price comparison

    RetailerCorsair AF120 EliteThermalright TL-C14C-S
    AmazonView on AmazonView 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-C14C-S

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    Outsized 140mm ARGB airflow-per-dollar from a brand built on exactly that value proposition.

    More comparisons in Case Fans