Head-to-head · Best PC Case Fans

Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap vs Thermaltake Riing Quad 12 RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about builders who want premium aesthetics and customization — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best PC Case Fans

Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap

4.6

4 sources1 derived

Quiet PC called the NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black.swap 'the best 120mm fan on the market' with over 100 awards and recommendations. BuildPC praised its 'superb quietness even at high speeds' and 'exceptional airflow and static pressure balance.' The fan's swappable anti-vibration pads allow for customization, though reviewers noted it comes at a premium price. While widely acclaimed for performance and aesthetics, some users may find the noise level at maximum RPM still noticeable depending on case acoustics. This fan is ideal for enthusiasts seeking top-tier quiet cooling with build customization options.

Strengths

— Award-winning design with over 100 awards and recommendations from international press
— Exceptional airflow and static pressure balance for versatile use in case cooling and watercooling
— Swappable anti-vibration pads in 7 colors (red, white, blue, green, grey, yellow, black) for customization

Watch-outs

— Premium materials and engineering result in a higher price point compared to basic fans
— May still produce noticeable noise at maximum RPM depending on case acoustics

Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best PC Case Fans

Thermaltake Riing Quad 12 RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition

4.3

2 sourcesall derived$120as of Oct 1

ocinside.de reviewed the Thermaltake Riing Quad 12 RGB fans and noted their 4 LED rings per fan, each with 16.8 million color options. The fans can be individually controlled through software or a smartphone app, though synchronization between fans requires individual setup. The reviewers confirmed the fans' quiet operation at 25 dBA maximum. The fans feature 120mm dimensions and 25mm depth. While the fans perform well in terms of airflow and noise, the proprietary cable limits compatibility and extendability.

Strengths

— Each fan features 4 individually controllable LED rings with 16.8 million color options
— Software control allows individual configuration of lighting and fan speeds
— Includes smartphone app for convenient control of all fans in a controller

Watch-outs

— Fan speeds cannot be synchronized via TT RGB Plus software
— Proprietary cable limits extendability and compatibility with other systems

$120 · Buy at thermaltakeusa.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap

The Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap stands out with its award-winning design and swappable anti-vibration pads in 7 colors, a feature not found in competitors like the Phanteks T30 R PST or Corsair iCUE QL120 RGB White. While it delivers exceptional airflow and static pressure balance, it's priced higher than budget options like the Arctic P14 PST PWM and lacks the daisy-chaining capability of the Lian Li Uni Fan SL120 V2 Standard.

Thermaltake Riing Quad 12 RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition

The Thermaltake Riing Quad 12 RGB provides 4 individually controllable LED rings with 16.8 million color options, a feature not found in the Phanteks T30 R PST or Cooler Master MF120 Halo V2 ARGB. However, its proprietary cable limits compatibility compared to the more universal Lian Li Uni Fan SL120 V2 Standard and lacks the high airflow performance of the Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Noctua NF-A12x25 chromax.black.swap	Thermaltake Riing Quad 12 RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition
Fan Size	120mm	120mm
Airflow	102.1 m³/h (60.09 CFM)	40.9 CFM
Static Pressure	2.34 mm H₂O	1.4 mm-H2O
Noise Level	22.6 dB(A)	25 dB-A
Max RPM	2000	1500 RPM
Bearing Type	SS02	hydraulic bearing
Connector	4-pin PWM	Proprietary 9-pin (fan to controller); controller connects to an internal USB header
Thickness	25 mm	25mm
Dimensions	4.72"L x 4.72"W x 0.98"H	4.72"L x 0.98"W x 4.72"H
Voltage	12 volts	12 V and 5 V
Wattage	1.68 watts	12V 3.24 W / 5V 13.5 W (3 fans)
Material	Fibre-glass reinforced PBT	—

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