DeepCool FT12: Evolution in 120mm format

Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

DeepCool FT12 in detail

With the FT12 fans, DeepCool has departed somewhat from the aerodynamic design of the older FK120 models, which is also reflected in their different functioning. In some ways it’s a change for the better, in some ways for the worse, but overall the fans are attractive. One of the reasons is the unconventional design, which allows you to see inside the motor. The housing is in fact clear and you can also light up underneath.

The impeller of the FT12 (WH) fans consists of nine blades with a moderate curvature of their leading edges. Compared to FK120 (or FC120) fans, which were characterized by very high airflow per unit noise, the blades are significantly shorter. And also thicker. Both of these features lead to higher stiffness and potentially lower vibration.

The manufacturer’s specifications state that an extremely high static pressure is to be achieved, up to 4.2 mm H2O at a maximum speed of 2150 rpm. The spacing between the fan blades is exceedingly small, so this parameter makes sense.

However, what is important in terms of cooling performance is the airflow. It is also supposed to be higher compared to the FK120, although the comparison at the same speed is no longer apparent from the DeepCool materials. The maximum airflow is indeed higher, but that’s because of the 200 rpm higher speed (of the FT12) and at the cost of higher noise level. The external cross-section or area behind the blades is give or take about the same here. For the FT12 (compared to the FK120) it is about 1.2% smaller, but this may not play a significant role, and with such a small difference, more attractive results can still theoretically be achieved with the new fan in terms of airflow intensity at a comparable speed.

   

The diameter of the DeepCool fan impellers is virtually the same across generations, but the FT12 models have a slightly wider (Ø 45 mm) impeller hub. And the robustness of the impeller hub also plays a part in how a particular fan vibrates. Of course, wider does not automatically mean “better” (less vibrating).

On the back of the motor housing is a small LED switch, which serves unconventionally to control the lighting inside the fan.

The motor housing is clear on the top and each of the twelve coils has an illuminating LED – white. This allows you to see the motor and confirm the extremely unusual electrical design. Twelve coils and magnets are a rarity, but they make the impeller rotation really smooth. So there is definitely some vibration suppression at this level.

Of the two available variants, we have the white version with the “WH” (white) attribute for testing. Then there is the black variant, while the official parameters of both don’t differ, they are the same. There are two connectors on the relatively short cable of about 20 cm for more convenient daisy chaining of several fans in a row.

Note: The Specifications chart, which used to be in the following place, is now on the second page of the article. We have reserved a separate chapter for it because of its growing size and the resulting relatively large height. This separation should thus contribute to better user control, especially on mobile devices with smaller displays.

And one more thing: To navigate through the result graphs as easily as possible, you can sort the bars according to different criteria (via the button on the bottom left). By (non)presence of lighting, profile thickness, brand, bearings, price or value (with the option to change the sorting to descending or ascending). In the default settings, there is a preset “format” criterion that separates 120mm fans from 140mm fans.


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Comments (2) Add comment

  1. The results seem to indicate that this fan is optimized for RPM-normalized performance instead of noise-normalized performance, and little attention being paid to its behaviour on obstacles. Surprisingly disappointing to me especially vs. the excellent FT14.

    Reply

    1. In addition to facing significantly less competition, the FT14 has a narrower blade inclination. It’s significantly larger on the FT12 and although the frontal profile of the fan looks great, even for use on obstacles, it does have some weaknesses. Similar in nature to Arctic’s F fans, for example, although in the case of the FT12 they don’t manifest themselves as noticeably. With fans, an overall aerodynamic design is significantly more efficient for all scenarios. 🙂

      Reply

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