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Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT — 420mm AIO · 2200 RPM · iCUE LINK
Corsair

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT

420mm AIO · 2200 RPM · iCUE LINK

89
/ 100
From $309
VS
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE wins by 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — Dual-tower air · $39 · Ridiculous value
Thermalright

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Dual-tower air · $39 · Ridiculous value

94
/ 100
From $39
Specdex verdict

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT lands at 89 and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 94. That puts Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT if…

  • ✓420 mm radiator handles even RTX 5090-class CPUs
  • ✓iCUE LINK simplifies cabling
  • ✓LCD display optional

Pick Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE if…

  • ✓Matches $100 coolers at $39
  • ✓7 copper heat-pipes
  • ✓Universal socket support
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Noise

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Compared on the noise sub-score

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on noise (88 vs 86).

Value for money

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE more score per dollar ($39 vs $309).

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT 89
vs
94 Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Score breakdown

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT
89
cooling 96
noise 86
ease 86
value 80
thermals 0
install 0
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
94
cooling 0
noise 88
ease 0
value 100
thermals 92
install 90

Specs side-by-side

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT versus Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — full spec comparison
Spec Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Type
420mm AIO
Dual-tower air
Fan size
3× 140 mm ML140 RGB
—
Pump speed
2400 RPM
—
Sockets
AM5 / AM4 / LGA1851 / LGA1700 / sTRX4
—
Tube length
450 mm
—
Warranty
5 years
—
Fans
—
2× TL-C12C PWM
TDP rating
—
~250W
Height
—
154 mm

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT

Pros
  • +420 mm radiator handles even RTX 5090-class CPUs
  • +iCUE LINK simplifies cabling
  • +LCD display optional
Cons
  • −420mm requires E-ATX or larger case
  • −Pricey vs Arctic competitor
  • −iCUE software heavy

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Pros
  • +Matches $100 coolers at $39
  • +7 copper heat-pipes
  • +Universal socket support
Cons
  • −Fan noise average
  • −Styling utilitarian
  • −Included paste so-so

FAQ: Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Which is better, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT worth the price? +

At $309, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in cooling.

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 Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT 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 noise, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — leads on noise (88 vs 86). Compared on the noise sub-score.

Which is the better value, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — more score per dollar ($39 vs $309). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.