be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black
Air tower
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Dual-tower air · $39 · Ridiculous value
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black lands at 82 and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 94. That puts Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ahead by 12 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE if…
- ✓Matches $100 coolers at $39
- ✓7 copper heat-pipes
- ✓Universal socket support
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testInstall
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SECompared on the install sub-score
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on install (90 vs 88).
Thermals
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SECompared on the thermals sub-score
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on thermals (92 vs 82).
Noise
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SECompared on the noise sub-score
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on noise (88 vs 78).
Value for money
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SESpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE more score per dollar ($39 vs $59).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black | Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Air tower | Dual-tower air |
| Fans | — | 2× TL-C12C PWM |
| TDP rating | — | ~250W |
| Height | — | 154 mm |
be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
- +Matches $100 coolers at $39
- +7 copper heat-pipes
- +Universal socket support
- −Fan noise average
- −Styling utilitarian
- −Included paste so-so
FAQ: be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Which is better, be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 12. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black worth the price? +
At $59, be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in install.
Is Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE worth the price? +
At $39, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in value.
Does be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for install, be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — leads on install (90 vs 88). Compared on the install sub-score.
Which is better for thermals, be quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX · Black or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — leads on thermals (92 vs 82). Compared on the thermals sub-score.