Phanteks PH-TC12LS CPU Cooler Review: Low-Profile, High Value
A Closer Look at the Phanteks PH-TC12LS
Although the official stated measurements of the Phanteks PH-TC12LS state that it has a 120 x 120 mm footprint, it is actually closer to 130 x 120 mm because of the heatpipe cap at the end extending the length and the heatpipe in the rear extending a millimeter further on the other side. Nevertheless, it is compact and designed for easy installation in small-form factor enclosures. Similar to the PH-TC14S, the heatsink body is painted black with a matching fan, but this time, the fan blades are white while the frame is black. This fan is secured using screws on each corner that must be removed first so that the PH-TC12LS can be installed.
Each aluminum fin array tower has 47 fins and the pattern is uniformly flat for both sides top and bottom. There are convenient openings on the fin array for installing the PH-TC12LS from the top. Vibration dampening pads are pre-installed on the fan housing corners. Fin array thickness is only 20mm.
There are six 6mm copper heatpipes spaced evenly from each other, each of these copper heatpipes are nickel finished. These are also soldered clean to the base with no visible extra flux.
The surface is rounded smooth with a fairly reflective mirror finish. The milling leaves a visible rounded pattern that is only visible upon very close inspection. This surface is protected with an adhesive cover out of the box which could leave extra residue as the glue Phanteks used is quite strong so it is advisable to clean the surface further before installation.
The PH-F120MP PWM premium fan bundled has black frames but the blades are white. There are seven wide surface blades utilizing Phanteks’ Maelstrom Vortex Booster design. It still uses Phantek’s Updraft Floating Balance bearing but this version goes up to 1600 RPM. The fan cable is nicely sleeved in matching black to the frame, Readings from ASUS Fan Xpert II reveal the real-world controllable PWM range:
Bundled Fan Specifications:
| Bundled Fan Dimensions |
120 x 120 x 25mm |
| Bearing Type |
UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) Bearing |
| Blade Geometry |
Seven Blades with MVB2 (Maelstrom Vortex Booster) |
| Speed | 500 – 1800 ± 250 RPM |
| Max Airflow | 53.3 CFM |
| Max Air Pressure | 1.72mm H2O |
| Acoustical Noise | 25 dBA |
| Input Power | 2.4 W |
| Current (Ampere) | 0.2 A |
| Rate Voltage | 12 V |
