The fan carrying one of the most popular brands in the field has been tested against the latest competitors. Among them are the new Arctic P14 Pro (A-RGB), Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM and Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro. And many others (including the FD Momentum 14/RGB) with which the TL-B14 will cross paths. In any case, the geometry of the Thermalright impeller is efficient, the price is low, and the results are impressive.
Over recent months we have gathered results for numerous 140 mm fans that are, for one reason or another, worth attention. The Thermalright TL-B14 will likely be compared most often with the Arctic P14 Pro (PST), which is similarly cheap, perhaps even cheaper, or with the Endorfy Fluctus 140 PWM. These are a bit pricier, while the cheaper Endorfy Stratus 140 PWM cost less than the TL-B14.
Then there’s a whole line of significantly more expensive fans headed by the Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 PWM, BeQuiet! Silent Wings Pro 4, and the fresh star in the form of Fractal Design Momentum 14 (RGB). Somewhere in between price-wise is the Thermaltake Toughfan 14 Pro. This fan is unfortunately infamous for lower manufacturing QC (and occasional random clicking), but aerodynamically, in its disciplines (especially on liquid cooler radiators) it ranks among the very best. In this analysis, the tested Thermalright TL-B14 might potentially rival this club. The aerodynamic design gives it all the right fundamentals.
The TL-B14’s impeller is notable for its pronounced curvature of the blade leading edges. And there are quite a few of them—nine. The spacing between them is small, and even at lower speeds it achieves relatively high static pressure, while still maintaining very respectable airflow. Speaking of specs, though, it must be said that Thermalright significantly exaggerates them—especially static pressure, which certainly doesn’t climb to the claimed 2.35 mm H2O and is considerably lower. This is also reflected in our coefficient of reality vs. paper specs. We usually don’t bother pointing this out—it’s not especially important—but here the difference is striking. We’ve never recorded a larger mismatch.
The TL-B14 should otherwise spin at around 1500 RPM, which matches our findings, and its minimum speed (about 375 RPM) is fairly low as well. Some users may be disappointed by the lack of a passive mode, but that’s common for cheaper fans. The motor never stops spinning and under low PWM duty cycle, the fan still runs—albeit slowly. That’s with PWM control; with DC regulation at sufficiently low voltage, this fan will also stop. That’s entirely natural and applies to all motors (not just fans). Otherwise, of course, we’d be talking about a perpetual motion machine—and we haven’t cracked that one yet.
The Thermalright fan uses fluid bearings, more formally labeled as S-FDB v2. The MTBF value is missing from the specifications, which is why it’s also absent in the overview table in the next chapter of this article.
Please note: The article continues in the following chapters.
I have this installed as a back exhaust fan on my Fractal Design Define S. In the front I have three of the Fractal Design’s older dynamic GP14.
This fan has a specific prrrrrrrrrr noise that becomes pronounced above 1100rpm.
I somehow prefer it over the extremely annoying high pitched whine of the Arctic P14 PWM.
My quest for a satisfactory quiet fan over 1000rpm continues.
Are you sure that the noise is not actually being generated by the grille on which the fan is mounted? Maybe it is resonating with the TL-B14 fan and is the source of the unwanted noise. With other fans this doesn’t necessarily have to happen, of course…
Please review the Thermalright TL-C12015B. Maybe the best slim fan after the P12 slim, and important as the range for slim fans is limited.
Wow, Thermalright’s offering is quite impressive in this slim space. 😉
TL-B12015: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-b12015/
TL-B12015 Extrem: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-b12015-extrem/
TL-H12015B: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-h12015b/
TL-C12015B: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-c12015b/
TL-H12015B-S: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-h12015b-s/
TL-C12015S: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-c12015s/
TL-C12015L: https://www.thermalright.com/product/tl-c12015l/
and super-slim (13mm) in 140mm format
TY-14013R: https://www.thermalright.com/product/ty-14013r/
That’s a very nice list of fans. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yes, the TL-C12015B looks good. Thanks for the tip! We are adding it to the list and will ask Thermalright for samples when we get the opportunity. No promises, but let’s hope we’ll get to see its tests on here. 🙂
1. For some reason, the positive/negative list in the evaluation section seems empty. Can you check if that’s also the case on your end?
2. On the topic of Thermalright, have there ever been considerations of reviewing some of TR’s CPU air coolers?
I’d love to see some of the detailed analysis you guys do for the likes of the Phantom Spirit 120 Evo, Royal Pretor 130 Ultra or the Peerless Assassin 140, just as examples for their 3 most performant recent models.
Sorry, no idea why this was posted a reply to you (Yamato). It was supposed to be a question to Ľubomír.
Thank you for the heads-up. 🙂
1.) The +/- table really was empty, but everything’s fixed now.
2.) We’re definitely interested in Thermalright coolers, and we already have a sample of the Royal Pretor 130 in the test lab. Their lower representation in our tests is only due to weaker local distribution, but that doesn’t change the fact that we want to cover Thermalright coolers too. The English edition of HWCooling does have global reach.
Is the TL H12-X28 anywhere in the schedule? Looks like a pretty good 120mm ARGB workhorse if the specs are anywhere near accurate
We don’t currently have the TL-H12-X28 fan in our testing plans. I agree its design is extremely attractive, but I’m constrained by limited time. While I believe we’ll eventually get around to testing this fan, I really can’t make any promises right now.
I’m sorry if it has been asked before or if it’s already on the schedule, but could you guys review the Sudokoo Mach140 fan, the Sudokoo Proteus 360 AIO and the Thermalright Stream Vision AIO?
IIRC, Sudokoo Mach is on the schedule, but I don’t know if it’s 120 or 140. 😛
Either will be great. Comparing the 120 with the Phanteks T30 or the 140 with the Arctic 14 Pro will show whether Sudokoo’s product is competitive.
I’m looking forward to it. The aerodynamic design of these fans looks really promising, and based on previous experience, I’d expect the Mach120 to deliver some very attractive results. 🙂
And you can find the TR Stream Vision AIO review here:
https://quasarzone.com/bbs/qc_qsz/views/2023652#p5
😛
Nice! Thank you!
As for Sudokoo fans, we have Mach120 samples in the test lab. Tests of these fans will definitely come out sooner or later. Regarding the Mach140—can’t say yet, we’re not that far ahead, haha. The Proteus and Stream Vision coolers are very good suggestions for future tests as well, but I can’t promise anything for now. We’ll see. 🙂
No problem! I know it’s not possible to review every piece of available gear.
Anyway, thank you for everything you have been doing!