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EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12: Comparison

EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 vs Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12: the airflow difference

On airflow the spread is 24%, EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 77 CFM against Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 58.35 CFM, so EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 takes it. Static pressure runs the same way, 2.7 mmH2O on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 2.41 mmH2O on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12, another win for EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120. EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 also leads on max speed, 2300 RPM on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 2000 RPM on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12. Rated life is not the same on both, 60000 hours on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 40000 hours on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12.

Which should you buy, EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 or Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12?

The EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 is the one to take for custom water-cooling loop radiators and thick, high-FPI radiator duty, though it is not the pick for general case intake or exhaust duty and quiet-first builds. The Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 suits thick AIO and custom-loop radiators and high-restriction, high-RPM setups, though it is the wrong buy for quiet, low-RPM builds and open case front intakes. Our rating of the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 (8/10): A strong purpose-built fan for custom loop radiators, less relevant outside that use case. 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.

Where the two are identical

Everything else lines up. Fan size, connector type, pwm control and colors read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.

Frequently asked questions

Do the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 and Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 differ on noise level?

Yes. Noise Level reads 36 dBA on the EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 versus 22.3 dBA on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Fan Size

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    120 mm
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    120 mm
  • Brand

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    EK
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Thermaltake
  • Model

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    TOUGHFAN 12
  • Bearing Type

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    Fluid Dynamic
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Hydraulic
  • Lighting

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    D-RGB
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    No RGB
  • Fan Thickness

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    27 mm
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    25 mm
  • Static Pressure

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    2.7 mmH2OBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    2.41 mmH2O-11%
  • Max Speed

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    2300 RPMBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    2000 RPM-13%
  • Airflow

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    77 CFMBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    58.35 CFM-24%
  • Noise Level

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    36 dBA
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    22.3 dBABest
  • PWM Control

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    Yes
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Yes
  • Min Speed

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    550 RPMBest
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    500 RPM
  • Rated Life

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    60000 hours
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    40000 hours
  • Max Power Draw

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    3 W
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    1.44 WBest
  • Connector Type

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    4-Pin PWM
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    4-Pin PWM
  • Weight

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    227 g
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    212.5 gBest
  • Colors

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120
    Black
    Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    Black

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 if you want the higher static pressure (2.7 mmH2O vs 2.41 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2300 RPM vs 2000 RPM) and the higher airflow (77 CFM vs 58.35 CFM).

    Choose Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 if you want the lower noise level (22.3 dBA vs 36 dBA).

    Price comparison

    RetailerEKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
    AmazonView on Amazon
    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

    EKWB EK-Loop Fan FPT 120

    8 / 10 Expert Rating

    A strong purpose-built fan for custom loop radiators, less relevant outside that use case.

    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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