Noctua
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black
Air tower
95
/ 100
From $149
VS
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black wins by 1
Thermalright
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Dual-tower air · $39 · Ridiculous value
94
/ 100
From $39
Specdex verdict
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black lands at 95 and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 94. That puts Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Noctua NH-D15 G2 · 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
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black 95
vs 94 Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Score breakdown
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black
95 thermals 95
noise 91
install 88
value 86
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
94 thermals 92
noise 88
install 90
value 100
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black | Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Air tower | Dual-tower air |
| Fans | — | 2× TL-C12C PWM |
| TDP rating | — | ~250W |
| Height | — | 154 mm |
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black
Pros
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
Cons
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
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: Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Which is better, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black or Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE? +
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black worth the price? +
At $149, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · Black delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in thermals.
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 Noctua NH-D15 G2 · 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.