Thermalright TL-D12
Expert rating6 / 10
- Fan Size:
- 120mm
- Bearing Type:
- Rifle
- Lighting:
- No RGB
- Airflow:
- 40.0 CFM
- Static Pressure:
- 0.9 mmH2O
- Max Speed:
- 1500 RPM
- Noise Level:
- 20.0 dBA
- PWM Control:
- Yes
Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Thermalright Last updated: 2026-09-12
Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) Review
Thermalright TL-D12 120mm case fan, 40.0 CFM airflow, 0.9 mmH2O static pressure, 1500 RPM max, 20.0 dBA, Rifle bearing, No RGB, PWM control. An ultra-thin 12mm-profile 120mm fan built for small-form-factor cases where standard-depth fans won't fit.
At just 12mm thick — less than half the depth of a standard 25mm case fan — the TL-D12 targets a narrow but real need: SFF cases, low-profile coolers, and tight clearance spots where a normal fan simply doesn't fit. The trade-off for that slim profile is reduced airflow and static pressure compared to full-depth fans, since a thinner blade can't move as much air per rotation.
Why Thickness Matters
A 12mm-thick fan has roughly half the blade surface area of a standard 25mm fan, which directly caps how much air it can move regardless of RPM — the TL-D12 is a solution for clearance-constrained builds, not a way to get standard performance in less space.
Where It's Actually Useful
Common use cases include SFF case side panels with minimal clearance, RAM-height-restricted CPU cooler shrouds, or dual-fan mounting spots that would otherwise only fit one standard-depth fan — situations where a normal 25mm fan is a non-starter.
Comparison to Alternatives
There's no other slim-profile fan in this catalog for a direct comparison; against a standard-depth budget fan like the Thermalright TL-C12C-S, the TL-D12 moves meaningfully less air but fits in spaces the C12C-S physically cannot.
Specifications
Identity and packaging
| Brand | Thermalright |
|---|---|
| Model | TL-D12 |
Design
| Fan Size | 120 mm |
|---|---|
| Bearing Type | Rifle |
| Lighting | No RGB |
Performance
| Static Pressure | 0.9 mmH2O |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1500 RPM |
| Noise Level | 20.0 dBA |
| PWM Control | Yes |
Performance at maximum speed
| Airflow | 40.0 CFM |
|---|
Market
| Positioning | Budget |
|---|
| Connector | 4-pin PWM |
|---|---|
| Colors | Black |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6 / 10
A niche but genuinely useful option whenever clearance, not performance, is the limiting factor.
Best for
- SFF cases with tight clearance
- Low-profile cooler shrouds
- Dual-fan mounts wanting two slim units instead of one standard fan
Not for
- Standard-clearance builds (use a 25mm fan for better performance)
- Radiator duty
- Maximum-airflow priorities
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)?
The Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) is a case fan from Thermalright. Key specs: Fan Size 120, Bearing Type Rifle, Lighting No RGB, Airflow 40.0, Static Pressure 0.9.
Will the Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) work with my current setup?
The Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) lists Fan Size is 120. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) best suited to?
It suits sff cases with tight clearance, low-profile cooler shrouds, dual-fan mounts wanting two slim units instead of one standard fan.
What are the drawbacks of the Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)?
It is a poor fit for standard-clearance builds (use a 25mm fan for better performance), radiator duty, maximum-airflow priorities.
Compare and read more
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF120 Prism (120mm/54.0 CFM/1.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1800 RPM Max/27.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/RGB/PWM) vs Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Corsair LL120 RGB (120mm/43.25 CFM/1.66 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/24.7 dBA/Magnetic Levitation Bearing/RGB/PWM) vs Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Arctic P8 Max (80mm/34.6 CFM/4.3 mmH2O Static Pressure/4200 RPM Max/33.2 dBA/Fluid Dynamic Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- be quiet! Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM (140mm/62.8 CFM/1.3 mmH2O Static Pressure/1400 RPM Max/23.4 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 (120mm/62.0 CFM/1.98 mmH2O Static Pressure/1800 RPM Max/27.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Thermalright TL-D12 (120mm/40.0 CFM/0.9 mmH2O Static Pressure/1500 RPM Max/20.0 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM)