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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
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE wins by 2
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE — Air tower
Thermalright

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Air tower

92
/ 100
From $35
Specdex verdict

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

In our weighted Specdex score, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE lands at 94 and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE at 92. That puts Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ahead by 2 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 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 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

Tie

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Install

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Compared on the install sub-score

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

Noise

Tie

Compared on the noise sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE 94
vs
92 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Score breakdown

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
94
thermals 92
noise 88
install 90
value 100
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
92
thermals 92
noise 88
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE versus Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE — full spec comparison
Spec Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
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

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

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 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Which is better, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE? +

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. 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 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE worth the price? +

At $35, Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in thermals.

Does Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 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, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE? +

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE — leads on install (90 vs 88). Compared on the install sub-score.