Overview of specifications from the manufacturer
We were very excited to see the results of the Grand Tornado 120. It looks good geometrically and is also one of the cheapest LCP models out there. Scythe has also informed us that the Grand Tornado 120 is set to outperform the legendary Gentle Typhoon (D1225C). And it’s true, it does outperform it, though perhaps in different ways than you’d expect. But the LCP fan from Scythe gets along really well with radiators.
| Brand and model of fan | Paper specicifations * | Price [EUR] | ||||||||
| Format (and thickness) in mm | Connecting | Speed [rpm] | Airflow [m3/h] | Static pressure [mm H2O] | Noise level [dBA] | Bearings | MTBF [h] | |||
| Motor | RGB LED | |||||||||
| Scythe Grand Tornado 120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 400–3000 | 20.78–166.20 | 0.62–5.13 | 9.3–36.6 | fluid | 370 000 | 20 |
| DeepCool FT12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2150 | 127.43 | 4.20 | 32.0 | fluid | N/A | 20 |
| DeepCool FT14 | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1650 | 133.93 | 3.60 | 25.1 | fluid | N/A | 25 |
| Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 155.60 | 2.56 | 24.8 | SSO2 | 150 000 | 40 |
| Asus TUF Gaming TR120 (Reverse) | 120 (28) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 2000 | 129.63 | 2.75 | 29.0 | hydraulic | 40 000 | 20 |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL113) | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1800 | 122.60 | 2.44 | 30.5 | rifle | 80 000 | 11 |
| Arctic P14 Max | 140 (27) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 400–2800 | 161.40 | 4.18 | N/A | fluid | N/A | 13 |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST CO | 140 (27) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1700 | 123.76 | 2.40 | 10.6 | ball | N/A | 11 |
| Arctic P14 PWM PST | 140 (27) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1700 | 123.76 | 2.40 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 9 |
| Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1200 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 80 000 | 8 |
| PCCooler CPS F5 R120 BK | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2200 | 147.36 | 3.20 | 32.0 | fluid | 60 000 | 17 |
| Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2000 | 203.20 | 3.57 | 31.6 | hydraulic | 40 000 | 23 |
| Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 132.70 | 1.94 | 30.1 | fluid | 150 000 | 22 |
| Seasonic MagFlow ARGB | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 2000 | 84.05 | 2.28 | 30.2 | fluid | 100 000 | 34 |
| Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 140.20 | 2.08 | 24.6 | SSO2 | 150 000 | 26 |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 3 (BL108) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1200 | 97.50 | 0.96 | 21.9 | rifle | 80 000 | 15 |
| Endorfy Stratus 120 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1400 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 80 000 | 6 |
| Phanteks PH-F120T30 | 120 (30) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–3000 | 171.40 | 7.11 | 39.7 | „dual vapo“ | 150 000 | 30 |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings White (BL101) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 2500 | 88.86 | 2.60 | 31.0 | rifle | 60 000 | 23 ** |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–2000 | 28.71–153.39 | 0.08–2.67 | 4.0–36.2 | fluid | 120 000 | 16 |
| Valkyrie X12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 800–2150 | 135.92 | 3.14 | 29.0 | fluid | 50 000 | 28 |
| Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm | 140 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | N/A | 1000 | 95.31 | 0.87 | 21.6 | rifle | 40 000 | 12 |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST A-RGB | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 200–2000 | 82.91 | 1.85 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 14 |
| Scythe Kaze Flex II 120 Slim | 120 (15) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–1800 | 13.86–81.55 | 0.05–1.36 | 2.6–27.8 | fluid | 120 000 | 17 |
| Seasonic MagFlow 1225 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 600–2000 | 107.60 | 2.61 | 9.9–33.8 | fluid | 100 000 | 37 |
| Arctic P12 PWM PST | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1800 | 95.65 | 2.20 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 6 |
| Cooler Master Mobius 120 OC | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–3200 | 149.68 | 4.75 | 39.3 | ball | 200 000 | 32 |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 4-pin (5 V) iCUE | 550–2100 | 23.45–111.40 | 0.17–2.68 | 5.0–34.1 | fluid | N/A | 29 |
| Enermax SquA RGB White | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 300–1500 | 41,67–115,99 | 0.17–1.90 | 12.0–23.0 | N/A | 100 000 | 20 |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 250–1800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 100 000 | 13 |
| Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM ARGB | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 250–1800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluid | 100 000 | 17 |
| Arctic P12 Slim PWM PST | 120 (15) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 300–2100 | 71.53 | 1.45 | 10.6 | fluid | N/A | 7 |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL099) | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 2400 | 165.50 | 3.64 | 36.8 | fluid | 300 000 | 33 |
| Fractal Design Prisma AL-14 PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 500–1700 | 176.44 | 2.38 | 34.1 | sleeve | 100 000 | 21 |
| Gigabyte Aorus 140 ARGB | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 800–1700 | 51.48–103.03 | 0.59–2.18 | 8.9–35.8 | sleeve | 73 500 | 28 |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL075) | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 2200 | 121.82 | 2.30 | 31.0 | rifle | 60 000 | 29 |
| Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM | 140 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 500–1700 | 33.98–132.52 | 0.09–1.93 | 10.0–35.5 | rifle | 90 000 | 18 |
| DeepCool FK120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–1850 | 117.21 | 2.19 | 28.0 | fluid | N/A | 11 |
| Asus TUF Gaming TF120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 1900 | 129.12 | 2.50 | 29.0 | fluid | 250 000 | 14 |
| BeQuiet! Light Wings (BL072) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 1700 | 70.53 | 1.66 | 20.6 | rifle | 60 000 | 26 |
| DeepCool FC120 | 120 (25) | 6-pin (PWM) | 6-pin (5 V) | 500–1800 | 105.19 | 1.83 | 28.0 | hydrodynamic | N/A | 20 |
| Nidec Servo Gentle Typhoon D1225C (2150/12) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 2150 | 117.23 | 2.87 | 30.0 | ball | 100 000 | 20 |
| BeQuiet! Shadow Wings 2 (BL085) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1100 | 65.41 | 0.82 | 15.9 | rifle | 80 000 | 15 |
| Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 450–2000 | 102.10 | 2.34 | 22.6 | SSO2 | 150 000 | 28 |
| Corsair AF120 Elite (black) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 400–1850 | 18.52–100.41 | 0.09–1.93 | 31.5 | fluid | N/A | 24 |
| Cooler Master MasterFan SF120M | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 650–2000 | 105.33 | 2.40 | 5.5–22.0 | ball | 280 000 | 33 |
| Akasa Alucia SC12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2000 | 95.65 | 1.94 | 33.1 | hydrodynamic | N/A | 12 |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4 (BL098) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 3000 | 142.50 | 5.31 | 36.9 | fluid | 300 000 | 32 |
| Thermalright X-Silent 120 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | N/A | 1000 | 61.31 | N/A | 19.6 | fluid | 50 000 | 5 |
| Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 500–2000 | 22.09–95.14 | 0.23–2.34 | 10.0–33.2 | rifle | 90 000 | 16 |
| BeQuiet! Silent Wings 3 (BL066) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1450 | 85.80 | 1.79 | 16.4 | fluid | 300 000 | 21 |
| Gelid Zodiac | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 700–1600 | 111.29 | 1.47 | 35.0 | hydrodynamic | N/A | 10 |
| Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 500–2000 | 148.83 | 0.51–2.30 | 10.0–32.2 | rifle | 100 000 | 12 |
| BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (BL039) | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 1500 | 87.00 | 1.25 | 19.2 | rifle | 80 000 | 11 |
| Gigabyte Aorus 120 ARGB | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 800–1700 | 31.47–69.40 | 0.37–1.48 | 7.3–28.6 | sleeve | 73 500 | 25 |
| Arctic BioniX P120 A-RGB | 120 (30) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 400–2300 | 81.55 | 2.10 | 33.4 | fluid | N/A | 21 |
| Akasa OTTO SF12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 0–2000 | 164.84 | 3.59 | 7.1–31.7 | ball | 80 000 | 22 |
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 3-pin (5 V) | 680–1800 | 105.34 | 2.50 | 8.0–27.0 | rifle | 160 000 | 15 |
| Alphacool SL-15 PWM | 120 (15) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 600–1800 | 71.40 | 1.20 | 32.0 | ball | 50 000 | 11 |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | N/A | 200–1800 | 117.00 | 2.10 | 20.0 | fluid | N/A | 10 |
| Arctic BioniX F120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 200–1800 | 117,00 | 2,10 | 20,0 | fluidné | N/A | 10 |
| SilverStone SST-AP123 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | nemá | 1500 | 96,84 | 1,46 | 23,8 | fluidné | 50 000 | 25 |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 400–1700 | 120,20 | 2,83 | 25,1 | SSO | 150 000 | 13 |
| SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 300–1800 | N/A | N/A | N/A | fluidné | 100 000 | 12 |
| MSI MEG Silent Gale P12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 0–2000 | 95,48 | 2,21 | 22,7 | hydrodynamické | 50 000 | 31 |
| Asus ROG Strix XF120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 1800 | 106,19 | 3,07 | 22,5 | „MagLev“ | 400 000 | 23 |
| Akasa Vegas X7 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 4-pin (12 V) | 1200 | 71,19 | N/A | 23,2 | fluidné | 40 000 | 11 |
| Reeven Coldwing 12 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 300–1500 | 37,54–112,64 | 0,17–1,65 | 6,5–30,4 | klzné | 30 000 | 12 |
| Reeven Kiran | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | zdieľané | 400–1500 | 110,10 | 2,95 | 33,6 | fluidné | 120 000 | 17 |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro 120 PWM | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | nemá | 500–1600 | 79,00 | N/A | 15,0 | hydraulické | 50 000 | 7 |
| SilentiumPC Sigma Pro Corona RGB 120 | 120 (25) | 4-pin (PWM) | 4-pin (12 V) | 1500 | 56,58 | N/A | N/A | hydraulické | 50 000 | 12 |
| SilverStone SST-AP121 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | nemá | 1500 | 60,08 | 1,71 | 22,4 | fluidné | 50 000 | 18 |
| SilverStone SST-FQ121 | 120 (25) | 7-pin (PWM) | nemá | 1000–1800 | 114,68 | 0,54–1,82 | 16,4–24,0 | fluidné | 150 000 | 20 |
| Xigmatek XLF-F1256 | 120 (25) | 3-pin (DC) | nemá | 1500 | 103,64 | N/A | 20,0 | rifle | 50 000 | 16 |
* When reading performance values, a certain amount of tolerance must always be taken into account. For maximum speeds, ±10 % is usually quoted, minimum speeds can vary considerably more from piece to piece, sometimes manufacturers will overlap by as much as ±50 %. This must then also be adequately taken into account for air flow, static pressure and noise levels. If only one value is given in a table entry, this means that it always refers to the situation at maximum speed, which is achieved at 12 V or 100 % PWM duty cycle. The manufacturer does not disclose the lower limit of the performance specifications in its materials in that case. The price in the last column is always approximate.
** Price calculated per unit, but the fan is not sold separately. It is only available as part of a three-pack that also includes an ARGB hub.
- Contents
- Scythe Grand Tornado 120 in detail
- Overview of specifications from the manufacturer
- Basis of the methodology, the wind tunnel
- Mounting and vibration measurement
- Initial warm-up and speed recording
- Base 6 equal noise levels...
- ... and sound color (frequency characteristic)
- Measurement of static pressure...
- ... and of airflow
- Everything changes with obstacles
- How we measure power draw and motor power
- Measuring the intensity (and power draw) of lighting
- Results: Speed
- Results: Airflow w/o obstacles
- Results: Airflow through a nylon filter
- Results: Airflow through a plastic filter
- Results: Airflow through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Airflow through a thinner radiator
- Results: Airflow through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure w/o obstacles
- Results: Static pressure through a nylon filter
- Results: Static pressure through a plastic filter
- Results: Static pressure through a hexagonal grille
- Results: Static pressure through a thinner radiator
- Results: Static pressure through a thicker radiator
- Results: Static pressure, efficiency depending on orientation
- Reality vs. specifications
- Results: Frequency response of sound w/o obstacles
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a dust filter
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a hexagonal grille
- Results: Frequency response of sound with a radiator
- Results: Vibration, in total (3D vector length)
- Results: Vibration, X-axis
- Results: Vibration, Y-axis
- Results: Vibration, Z-axis
- Results: Power draw (and motor power)
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, airflow
- Results: Cooling performance per watt, static pressure
- Airflow per euro
- Static pressure per euro
- Results: Lighting – LED luminance and power draw
- Results: LED to motor power draw ratio
- Evaluation
DNF at the very high target of 31dB(A) means it isn’t cheap, it means no matter the price it’s too expensive
additionally knowing it starts at around 680RPM and it still doesn’t pass that target means it’s just bad acoustically
it may find a niche, people are frequently mentioning this or that dethroning Noctua while the performance is only slightly higher at one very specific and extremely high noise target so at some point it may be a decent option, but I just wouldn’t bother, no reason to stand that noise when I can just set A12x25 a tiny bit below this ones starting speed and have it perform better and stay silent
This is subjective. It depends on who is looking for what. If the priority is the highest possible airflow regardless of noise level, while also weighing low vibration or extra durability, then the Grand Tornado 120 can be a great choice. In the context of that potentially high durability (if Scythe doesn’t exaggerate the MTBF value…), we also discussed the server concept of the Scythe Grand Tornado 120 fan in the discussion below the text in another language…
for separate-room-home-server I’d likely go with Noctua PPC or T30 (or NH-P1 due to superior reliability if the heat load was lower, though AC has the advantage of providing a decent heatsink that will prevent your system from shutting down even if fans stop, LC on the other hand…), for regular server room with regular server fans like Delta
for living/working space silence is a requirement impossible to give up on so the silent performance is all that matters
I really love its name (GT), indicating the intention for it to succeed Gentle Typhoon. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s worthy of that title. Even if the argument is that it’s better in peak performance, remember there’s the GT-HI (https://www.e-jpc.com/wp-content/uploads/gentle-typhoon-d1225cen-2.pdf) that goes up to 5400 RPM!