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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
VS
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB wins by 1
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB — Air tower
Noctua

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB

Air tower

95
/ 100
From $149
Specdex verdict

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE lands at 94 and Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB at 95. That puts Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE if…

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

Pick Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating
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Winner by scenario

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

Thermals

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB leads on thermals (95 vs 92).

Noise

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB

Compared on the noise sub-score

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB leads on noise (91 vs 88).

Install

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Compared on the install sub-score

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on install (90 vs 88).

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 $149).

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 94
vs
95 Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB

Score breakdown

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
94
thermals 92
noise 88
install 90
value 100
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB
95
thermals 95
noise 91
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE versus Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB — full spec comparison
Spec Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB
Type
Dual-tower air
Air tower
Fans
2× TL-C12C PWM
—
TDP rating
~250W
—
Height
154 mm
—

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

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB

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

FAQ: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE vs Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB

Which is better, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE or Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB? +

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

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.

Is Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB worth the price? +

At $149, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in thermals.

Does Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE or Noctua NH-D15 G2 · 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 or Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB? +

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB — leads on thermals (95 vs 92). Compared on the thermals sub-score.

Which is better for noise, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE or Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB? +

Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB — leads on noise (91 vs 88). Compared on the noise sub-score.