I'm considering the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO cooler for my 9950X since I've heard great things about it and it's much cheaper than some of the other options, especially Noctua. But, I'm a bit concerned about how well it'll perform under heavy loads like 3D rendering. I don't plan on overclocking, so I'm looking for some advice on whether this cooler will handle my needs!
4 Answers
If you think you'll max out that CPU often, I'd suggest going for at least a 360 or 420 mm AIO. It'll give you much better thermal performance in intensive tasks.
The Phantom Spirit is rated to cool up to 234 watts, which is actually more than the heat output from the 9950X, so it should handle it just fine during regular use.
A full-sized AIO will definitely handle high CPU loads better than the Phantom Spirit. If you're planning to push your CPU hard, it’s worth considering that upgrade for better cooling performance.
It's definitely better than a stock cooler! It can manage the heat well for regular usage, but just remember that an AIO is generally more efficient, so it really depends on your specific needs.
Do you think the cooling difference justifies the extra cost, or is it not that significant?