DeepCool FT12: Evolution in 120mm format

Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Evaluation

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.

Evaluation

In an obstacle-free environment, the DeepCool FT12 ranks among the very top. At around 800rpm, it shares second place with the Arctic BioniX F120, which is really great considering the large number of fans tested in this format (120mm).

It’s worse with obstacles, where the FT12 fan is already dropping off a bit in the relative standings. Not as significantly as the BioniX F120, not by a long shot, but it’s probably appropriate to talk about “only” average results. On the hexagonal grille, the results are above average, in combination with a dust filter, we are already below average, similar to the situation on radiators. It is on these that you might expect above-standard cooling efficiency based on the parameters, but this is not the case with the FT12 fans.

The static pressure (and ultimately the airflow through radiators) is indeed high, but this is primarily at “noisy” speeds. After regulating for quieter operation, there are about the same number of weaker but also more efficient fans for cooling radiators than the DeepCool FT12. It’s true that this ranking corresponds to the fan’s mid-price category, but higher airflow at comparable noise levels is also achieved by cheaper models, which include the FK120 from the same brand (DeepCool).However, the operation of the newer FT12 fan is characterized by lower vibration and often more pleasant acoustic response, with fewer tonal peaks. That is, unless you happen upon a combination (of a set speed and a particular obstacle) at which unpleasant resonant frequencies are achieved.

We couldn’t even manage to regulate the fan to two modes to keep the noise level within the specified average. These are the modes with “33 dBA” on the plastic filter and with “39 dBA” on the hexagonal grille. On the grille, the sound frequency of around 370 Hz is extremely noisy.

There is even no guarantee you will be able to slow down the FT12 satisfactorily with a view of very quiet operation. Of course, it depends on the demands of each individual user, and the minimum speed just below 500 rpm may seem low enough, but this is where some unwanted motor noises start to creep into the acoustics. Their sharp peaks in the band between 1–4.5 kHz can be clearly seen in this spectrogram, on the grille, when the fan is already running at a relatively low speed. For these reasons, too, the relatively weakest results are in the quietest “31 dBA” mode – there’s already too much non-aerodynamic noise in here.

The bottom speed limit is around 497 rpm. If you go even lower with the PWM duty cycle, paradoxically, significantly higher speeds around 1450 rpm will be achieved. The reason for this is that there will no longer be a proper signal reading, or the fan electronics are not properly adjusted for it. Don’t count on passive operation (up to a certain PWM level), the fan won’t stop and will always spin.

The motor housing design, where you can see the coils and shine a light on them, is definitely attractive. This is a thing that very few fans have, and if it’s a thing that weighs in your decision, we definitely won’t stop you from buying the DeepCool FT12. Aside from these positive features, however, you also need to know about the shortcomings that have already been talked about. The cooling efficiency of the fan is average to above average, matching the price range, and for mounting on radiators or system cooling with the fans placed on top of each other, the possibility of neatly interconnecting (the fans) with each other should also be highlighted. There are two connectors on each cable, male and female.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš




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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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