I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to decide on a cooler for my 9800X3D. I've been looking at a few options: the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE, and the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO. They seem pretty similar, but I'm sure one must have an edge over the others. I know if I wanted the best performance, I'd go for something like the Noctua NH-D15 G2 or the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, but I'm hesitant because they're significantly more expensive. Plus, I have concerns about potential leaks or failures with liquid cooling systems. Any advice?
6 Answers
If you're going for top-tier air cooling, the Noctua NH-D15 G2 is fantastic. It's known for being super quiet and performs really well. On the other hand, the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 has killer cooling but does have some AIO concerns like pump noise and possible leaks. Worth considering your tolerance for those risks before deciding!
Keep in mind that the SE has a plastic cover that shows the heatpipe ends, while the EVO has a nice painted black finish with ARGB lighting. Are looks a big deal for you?
I've been using the Phantom Spirit with my 9800X3D, and I think it’s fantastic. No need to overspend on other coolers; you can use that cash for other upgrades!
I'd stick with the Noctua or another air cooler. I just prefer not having liquid coolant near my sensitive components, you know?
Honestly, if you're looking at reliability, Arctic is pretty solid with their AIOs. If you’re not keen on liquid cooling, the Thermalright PS is a decent pick since you won’t see much difference in performance. At this point, it might just come down to aesthetics!
True, but the Noctua is expensive. The Phantom Spirit is cheaper and almost matches it in cooling performance, so it might be a better choice for your budget.