I've recently upgraded from an i5-12400F to an i5-14600KF, but my old CPU cooler isn't cutting it. While idling, it hits 50°C and can reach up to 100°C while gaming, causing thermal throttling around 60°C. I'm looking for a decent cooler for under €100, but I want to avoid AIO liquid coolers due to reliability concerns. My case's width is tight, around 178mm, so I need a heatsink that's approximately 155mm tall or less. I've come across models like the Noctua u12a and Phantom Spirit SE 120, but I'm having trouble deciding due to a lack of comparisons. I'd really appreciate some recommendations for good coolers that fit these specs!
3 Answers
You might want to check out the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO. It’s slightly more pricey than the non-EVO, but I think it’s worth it for the performance—keeps my 10600K cool at 5 GHz!
If you're looking for solid performance, I'd suggest the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE. It offers great cooling efficiency and is well within your budget.
For your situation, I would recommend the Phantom Spirit. It should work nicely without pushing the budget too hard, and it's a reliable choice! Noctua is great, but it tends to be pricier for what you need.

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