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Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM vs Thermalright TL-C12C: Comparison
Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM vs Thermalright TL-C12C: the static pressure difference
Static pressure is where these two genuinely part company, Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM 0.97 mmH2O against Thermalright TL-C12C 1.53 mmH2O, a 37% lead for Thermalright TL-C12C. Airflow runs the same way, 52.94 CFM on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM versus 66.17 CFM on the Thermalright TL-C12C, another win for Thermalright TL-C12C. Noise level is closer, 23.8 dBA on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM versus 25.6 dBA on the Thermalright TL-C12C. Thermalright TL-C12C also leads on max speed, 1200 RPM on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM versus 1550 RPM on the Thermalright TL-C12C. There is a split on fan thickness as well, 26 mm on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM versus 25 mm on the Thermalright TL-C12C. They differ on positioning too, Mainstream on the Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM versus Value ARGB on the Thermalright TL-C12C.
Who each one is for
The Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM is the one to take for quiet mainstream case airflow and Non-RGB builds, though it is the wrong buy for high static pressure radiator duty and show-window RGB builds. Buy the Thermalright TL-C12C for 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 Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM (7/10): A dependable, quiet mainstream fan with nothing flashy about it, which is exactly the point. 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 Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM and Thermalright TL-C12C have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan size, bearing type, connector type and pwm control read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 120 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 120 mm
Brand
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Scythe
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Thermalright
Model
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Kaze Flex II 120 PWM (1200RPM)
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- TL-C12C
Bearing Type
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Fluid Dynamic
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Fluid Dynamic
Fan Thickness
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 26 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 0.97 mmH2O-37%
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1.53 mmH2OBest
Max Speed
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 1200 RPM-23%
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1550 RPMBest
Airflow
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 52.94 CFM-20%
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 66.17 CFMBest
Noise Level
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 23.8 dBABest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25.6 dBA
PWM Control
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Yes
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Yes
Connector Type
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 4-Pin PWM
Positioning
- Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
- Mainstream
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Value ARGB
Which one should you pick?
Choose Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM if you want the lower noise level (23.8 dBA vs 25.6 dBA).
Choose Thermalright TL-C12C if you want the higher static pressure (1.53 mmH2O vs 0.97 mmH2O), the higher max speed (1550 RPM vs 1200 RPM) and the higher airflow (66.17 CFM vs 52.94 CFM).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM | Thermalright TL-C12C |
|---|---|---|
| Scythe | View on Scythe | |
| 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
Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 PWM
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A dependable, quiet mainstream fan with nothing flashy about it, which is exactly the point.
Thermalright TL-C12C
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Excellent value ARGB fan; buy this version over the -S when you want the full controller bundle.