Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB
Air tower
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB
Air tower
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB lands at 94 and be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB at 91. That puts Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testThermals
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGBCompared on the thermals sub-score
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB leads on thermals (94 vs 91).
Noise
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGBCompared on the noise sub-score
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB leads on noise (90 vs 87).
Install
TieCompared on the install sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Value for money
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB more score per dollar ($39 vs $109).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB | be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Air tower | Air tower |
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB
- +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
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB
- +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
FAQ: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB vs be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB
Which is better, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB? +
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB worth the price? +
At $39, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in thermals.
Is be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB worth the price? +
At $109, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in thermals.
Does Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB 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 thermals, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB? +
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB — leads on thermals (94 vs 91). Compared on the thermals sub-score.
Which is better for noise, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 · RGB? +
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE · RGB — leads on noise (90 vs 87). Compared on the noise sub-score.