Scythe Grand Tornado 120 in detail
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.
Although Scythe is one of the leaders in computer cooling, a premium fan has been missing from their offer for a long time. The word “premium” in this context refers to a model with a high-end design, which is based on the use of high-strength materials represented by liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The Kaze Flex II 120 fans were only average in our tests.
Of the more attractive models, Scythe also has the Wonder Snail 120 fans, which have had their blade geometry made more efficient, but these are still “only” PBT. It’s only the Grand Tornado 120 fans that come with LCP blades combined with modern geometry. The modern, or efficient, geometry consists of blades with significantly curved leading edges. In our tests, similarly designed fans are characterised by above-standard airflow per unit of noise. Now it’s just a matter of where the Scythe fan ranks and whether it will prove this rule at all.
The blades of the Grand Tornado 120 fan are very similar to those of the Gentle Typhoon D1225C. Although the latter is made by Nidec Servo, it also carried the Scythe brand for a while. It is compared to it that the Grand Tornado is supposed to achieve “better” results. That is, according to one of the company’s representatives (Scythe). The blades of the Grand Tornado 120 are more curved, slimmer, but still quite robust. Thanks to the LCP, but also because of the greater thickness of the profile. Still, the Grand Tornado 120 blades are thinner and more flexible compared to, for example, the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM. The Scythe fan also has fewer aerodynamic details, larger blade-to-frame spacing, but it is also cheaper.
The geometry of the Grand Tornado 120 fan should achieve not only high airflow (and it is really high at the maximum speeds close to 3000 rpm), but also very high static pressure. Not only at maximum speed, but also at relatively lower speeds – at lower noise levels, comparable to other fans. The Grand Tornado is also predisposed to this by the extra-small gaps between the blades. However, they should still be large enough to allow a greater amount of air to flow through the impeller. But we won’t dwell on this any further, to make any conclusions in this regard we have to look at the results of the airflow measurements in various situations.
It also needs to be pointed out that this is a 120 mm fan with fluid (SPFDB2) bearings with above-standard durability. Scythe claims an MTBF value of 370,000 hours.
The Scythe Grand Tornado 120 fan is available in two speed variants. The model designated GT1225FD20-P tops out at 2000 rpm (400~2000 rpm) and the tested model GT1225FD30-P is faster by 1000 rpm (400~3000 rpm). With the speed reduction adapter, the speeds are up to approx. 1200 rpm (GT1225FD20-P) or approx. 1800 rpm (GT1225FD30-P).
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.
- 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!