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EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER vs Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12: Comparison
EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER vs Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 airflow compared
Start with airflow, because it is the widest measured gap between them: EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER 77 CFM against Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 58.35 CFM, 24% in favour of EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER. Static pressure runs the same way, 3.16 mmH2O on the EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER versus 2.41 mmH2O on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12, another win for EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER. There is a split on rated life as well, 50000 hours on the EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER versus 40000 hours on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12.
Which should you buy, EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER or Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12?
The EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER suits dense custom-loop radiators and extreme overclocking rigs, though it is the wrong buy for quiet or daily-use builds and case intake/exhaust duty. 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 EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER (8/10): an extreme, loud, purpose-built radiator fan for the densest custom loops, overkill for anything less. 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 EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER and Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan size, connector type, lighting, fan thickness and pwm control read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 2 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER and Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 33.5 dBA on the EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER versus 22.3 dBA on the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12.
Is the Min Speed the same on the EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER and Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12?
It is. Both are listed at 500 RPM, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 120 mm
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 120 mm
Brand
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- EKWB
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- Thermaltake
Model
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- Vardar EVO 120ER
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- TOUGHFAN 12
Bearing Type
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- Ball
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- Hydraulic
Lighting
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- No RGB
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- No RGB
Fan Thickness
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 25 mm
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 3.16 mmH2OBest
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 2.41 mmH2O-24%
Max Speed
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 2200 RPMBest
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 2000 RPM-9%
Airflow
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 77 CFMBest
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 58.35 CFM-24%
Noise Level
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 33.5 dBA
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 22.3 dBABest
PWM Control
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- Yes
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- Yes
Min Speed
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 500 RPM
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 500 RPM
Bearing Marketing Name
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- Dual-Ball
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- Hydraulic Bearing Gen. 2
Rated Life
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 50000 hours
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 40000 hours
Max Power Draw
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 2.16 W
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 1.44 WBest
Connector Type
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- 4-Pin PWM
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- 4-Pin PWM
Positioning
- EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER
- Performance
- Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12
- Performance
Which one should you pick?
Choose EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER if you want the higher static pressure (3.16 mmH2O vs 2.41 mmH2O), the higher max speed (2200 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 33.5 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | EKWB EK-Vardar EVO 120ER | Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 |
|---|---|---|
| EKWB | View on EKWB | |
| Thermaltake | View 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-Vardar EVO 120ER
8 / 10 Expert Rating
An extreme, loud, purpose-built radiator fan for the densest custom loops, overkill for anything less.
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.