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SilverStone FQ121 vs Thermalright TL-C12C: Comparison
What is the difference between SilverStone FQ121 and Thermalright TL-C12C?
Static pressure is where these two genuinely part company, SilverStone FQ121 1.82 mmH2O against Thermalright TL-C12C 1.53 mmH2O, a 16% lead for SilverStone FQ121. The airflow figures are near enough to ignore, 67.5 CFM on the SilverStone FQ121 versus 66.17 CFM on the Thermalright TL-C12C. Noise level is closer, 24 dBA on the SilverStone FQ121 versus 25.6 dBA on the Thermalright TL-C12C. Add max speed to that, 1800 RPM on the SilverStone FQ121 versus 1550 RPM on the Thermalright TL-C12C, and the pattern holds. There is a split on bearing marketing name as well, P.C.F. bearing on the SilverStone FQ121 versus S-FDB on the Thermalright TL-C12C. On weight there is little in it, 143 g on the SilverStone FQ121 versus 120 g on the Thermalright TL-C12C. They differ on positioning too, Mainstream on the SilverStone FQ121 versus Value ARGB on the Thermalright TL-C12C. Colors is not the same on both, Blue blades, white frame on the SilverStone FQ121 versus Black or White on the Thermalright TL-C12C.
Which should you buy, SilverStone FQ121 or Thermalright TL-C12C?
Buy the SilverStone FQ121 for CPU heatsink fans and filtered intake with dust screens, though it is not the pick for RGB builds and maximum airflow case builds. The Thermalright TL-C12C suits single or small-quantity ARGB fan purchases and budget filtered-intake positions, though it is not built for bulk multi-fan purchases where the -S pack is cheaper and premium/quiet-first builds. Our rating of the SilverStone FQ121 (7/10): A quiet, capable static-pressure fan that undercuts the premium brands without giving up much performance. 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 SilverStone FQ121 and Thermalright TL-C12C have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, fan size, bearing type, fan thickness and pwm control included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- SilverStone FQ121
- 120 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 120 mm
Brand
- SilverStone FQ121
- SilverStone
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Thermalright
Model
- SilverStone FQ121
- FQ121
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- TL-C12C
Bearing Type
- SilverStone FQ121
- Fluid Dynamic
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Fluid Dynamic
Fan Thickness
- SilverStone FQ121
- 25 mm
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25 mm
Static Pressure
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1.82 mmH2OBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1.53 mmH2O-16%
Max Speed
- SilverStone FQ121
- 1800 RPMBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 1550 RPM-14%
Airflow
- SilverStone FQ121
- 67.5 CFMBest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 66.17 CFM-2%
Noise Level
- SilverStone FQ121
- 24 dBABest
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 25.6 dBA
PWM Control
- SilverStone FQ121
- Yes
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Yes
Bearing Marketing Name
- SilverStone FQ121
- P.C.F. bearing
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- S-FDB
Weight
- SilverStone FQ121
- 143 g
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- 120 gBest
Positioning
- SilverStone FQ121
- Mainstream
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Value ARGB
Colors
- SilverStone FQ121
- Blue blades, white frame
- Thermalright TL-C12C
- Black or White
Which one should you pick?
Choose SilverStone FQ121 if you want the higher static pressure (1.82 mmH2O vs 1.53 mmH2O), the higher max speed (1800 RPM vs 1550 RPM) and the higher airflow (67.5 CFM vs 66.17 CFM).
Choose Thermalright TL-C12C if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | SilverStone FQ121 | Thermalright TL-C12C |
|---|---|---|
| SilverStone | View on SilverStone | |
| 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
SilverStone FQ121
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A quiet, capable static-pressure fan that undercuts the premium brands without giving up much performance.
Thermalright TL-C12C
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Excellent value ARGB fan; buy this version over the -S when you want the full controller bundle.