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Head-to-head · Best Cpu Air Coolers

Arctic Freezer 36 vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 3.6). The gap is mostly about users wanting high-performing air coolers with aesthetic integration — read the strengths below before deciding.

Arctic Freezer 36
Ranked #9 in Best Cpu Air Coolers
Arctic Freezer 36
8 sources1 derived$21.49as of Oct 2

The cooler features a single-tower design with a fat tower that improves airflow, and its fan mount uses four screws for a firm connection. However, performance is middling on AMD CPUs compared to competition. The Freezer 36 follows the prior Freezer 34 Esports Duo and avoids the mistakes of the Freezer 50, which was criticized for strapping plastic appendages to a cooler.

Strengths
  • — Offers good value when on sale
  • — Uses a single-tower design with a fat tower for better airflow
  • — Features a fan mount that snaps in with four Phillips 2 screws for firm connection
Watch-outs
  • — Requires installation of an included contact frame for Intel CPUs
  • — Performance is middling on AMD CPUs compared to competition
$21.49 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Cpu Air Coolers
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
3 sources1 derived$35.9as of Oct 2

Tom's Hardware reviewed the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE as an updated version of the popular Peerless Assassin, noting it includes an extra heat pipe and improved design elements. The cooler offers flexible airflow direction with regular and reverse fan modes, and features clean aesthetics that integrate well with case cable management. While it's priced competitively and outperforms the Peerless Assassin in some areas, only the 120 SE variant was tested, and no white or matte black finishes are currently available. This cooler is best suited for users seeking a high-performing air cooler with good build quality and aesthetic integration.

Strengths
  • — Features an additional heat pipe compared to the Peerless Assassin
  • — Includes both regular and reverse fan modes for flexible airflow direction
  • — Well-built with clean aesthetics and cable management integration
Watch-outs
  • — Only one model in the Phantom Spirit lineup tested (the 120 SE variant)
  • — Limited color options with no white or matte black versions currently available
$35.9 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Arctic Freezer 36

The Arctic Freezer 36 offers good value when on sale but is outperformed by the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE, which includes an extra heat pipe and better airflow direction. Compared to the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, it lacks dual fans and a more advanced design, though it's more affordable and easier to install without requiring a contact frame for Intel CPUs.

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE surpasses the Peerless Assassin 120 Mini with an extra heat pipe and better airflow direction, but it's more expensive than the Arctic Freezer 36. Unlike the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, it features a single-tower design with a more accessible fan mount, though it lacks the dual-fan setup and premium quiet operation of the Pure Rock Pro 3.

Specs side-by-side

SpecArctic Freezer 36Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Cooler TypeSingle-tower air coolerDual Towers
Height159 mm154 mm
Heat Pipes4x4
Fan Size120 mm120 mm
Noise Level25 dBA25.6 dBA
CompatibilityIntel LGA 1851, 1700; AMD AM5, AM4Intel: LGA115X/1200/1700/1851 AMD: AM4/AM5
Price$52Under $40
Wattage3.96 watts—
Dimensions104 mm x 126 mm x 159 mm4.8"L x 4.49"W x 6.1"H
Voltage12 volts12 volts
MaterialAluminiumCopper
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