Introduction

Thermaltake went from being that brand with all the RGB LEDs that can be fit onto fans to offering well-performing fans too, enough to even win a recommendation from me for the TOUGHFAN 12 and TOUGHFAN 12 Turbo. In fact, I continue to refer to these fans when comparing other performance-focused PC fans released since. It helps too that those fans came in a clean aesthetic while also having special versions in blue and green, and then there was the part where the fan rotor was made of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). The use of LCP for fan blades helps manufacturers make longer blades that get very close to the fan frame without hitting it over time through expansion of the material. I'd give Noctua credit to making LCP popular in the PC DIY cooling space before the likes of Thermaltake, Phanteks, and Lian Li came on board. You will notice that the Phanteks and Lian Li offerings are thicker than the standard 25 mm and some argue that perhaps that is the only reason those fans perform better.


When Thermaltake launched the new TOUGHFAN Pro series in late June, I half-expected to see 28-30 mm thick fans again, given that's the easiest way to get more airflow within the constraint of the 120 x 120 mm spacing. Instead, the company decided to stick to the standard 25 mm while going with newly developed fan frames, blades, motors, and bearings alike. The product page also promises significant improvements in performance, but those claims need to be put to the test. Let's thank Thermaltake for providing review samples to TechPowerUp as we begin our coverage with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Thermaltake does not have a "Turbo" version of the TOUGHFAN 12 Pro as of the time of this review, so things are simple with a single fan type in the 120 mm size. It is sold as a single pack or a 2-pack SKU, with Thermaltake sending me one of each to allow for photos here as well as testing of multiple fans. Both product boxes come inside a plastic wrap and we see a similar design language on the packaging. On the front is a render of the fan along with the company logo, product name, and salient features. More such features are listed on the back in multiple languages to go with a specifications table. There's branding on the sides too and we see seals and a double flap on the top that keep the contents inside in place during transit.


Opening the box, we are greeted to an open cardboard container for further protection of the fan. The cable is placed between the fan and an accessory box below, so it acts as a shock absorber of sorts. I would have rather seen a separate compartment with a cutout for the cable, especially with the 4-pin connector potentially strained at an angle. On the other hand, having a dedicated box for the accessories prevents anything loose from hitting the fans. I have seen too many screw sets inside a plastic bag placed between the rotor blades, with some having gotten into the gap between the rotor and motor/bearing itself. We get a set of four self-tapping shorter metal screws and a set of four 30 mm long screws with the bottom section UNC 6-32 threaded for AIOs and DIY radiators. It's a weird choice since radiators typically come with their own screws, especially as very few use UNC 6-32, so this may be a sign of Thermaltake wanting to target the CLC market? There is also a low-noise cable (LNC) adapter provided, which likely has a resistor in series to lower the current draw to the fan motor to reduce the fan RPM. Lastly, we also get a printed warranty guide—these fans have a nice five year warranty period!