Compare: Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB vs Phantom Spirit 120

Design and Aesthetics:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler boasts a sleek appearance, enhanced by its ARGB fans. The convenience of pre-daisy-chained ARGB and RPM cords eliminates cable management concerns right from the start. Its black radiator, fan frames, and water pipes complement a darker cooler setup perfectly. However, while the water pump features a unique design, it may appear more understated compared to other AIO coolers that showcase more elaborate pump designs.

Phantom Spirit 120

The Phantom Spirit 120 is a step up from the no frills clean look of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and has two 120 millimeter fans, subtle Thermalright logo, and a flat textured design on the heatsink top. Other than the fine details. Additionally, this cooler look is also in line with other coolers from Thermalright with slight tweaks to the cooling engineering the primary differentiating factor.

Install Notes:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler is relatively easy to install with the fans pre-installed on the radiator with the RPM and RGB connectors daisy chained neatly with a single connector coming out of the pump for both the RGB and the Fan inputs. However, this cooler requires it to be offset to the base mount, which can take some time to get right. Additionally, the heat pipes don't pivot from the pump which may make placement in certain setups difficult.

Phantom Spirit 120

This cooler has a similar installation components as many of the mainstream Thermalright designs, which is one of the easier installation setups. However, it also faces an issue regarding uninstalling this cooler, where the cooler is unable to slide/twist off the cooler to break the thermal paste seal. This might be necessary if the thermal paste has a strong hold between the cooler and the CPU.

Cooling Performance:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

With its expansive radiator and impressive fan quality, this cooler delivers exceptional performance across various fan speeds, making it capable of handling substantial overclocking tasks. If your aim is to surpass the cooling capacity of air coolers, this option is worth considering. Keep in mind that not all CPUs demand the level of cooling this cooler provides. However, it stands out as an excellent selection for high-TDP CPUs, if you're planning on doing some serious overclocking, or if you prioritize outstanding cooling coupled with quiet operation (thanks to its effective cooling even at lower RPMs).

Phantom Spirit 120

The Phantom Spirit 120 presents a high-performance cooling solution in a compact form, competing with other premium coolers in the market. Its seven heat pipe dual tower setup, combined with two 120mm fans, makes it highly capable of handling the cooling demands of modern high-performance CPUs, positioning it as a top contender for effective cooling.

Noise Performance:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

Equipped with three fans, this cooler can generate some noise. Nevertheless, due to the smaller size of the fans, it's notably quieter than certain air coolers, all while providing superior cooling efficiency at a similar noise level. If your priority is exceptional cooling combined with a quiet setup, this cooler might be a suitable option. However, it's worth noting that its noise level is on par with other 360mm AIOs.

Phantom Spirit 120

The Phantom Spirit 120 stands out for its exceptional cooling efficiency at a low noise level, making it an ideal option for those seeking a quiet setup while accommodating high-performance components.

Summary:

Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB

This cooler offers easy installation with pre-installed fans and neatly daisy-chained connectors. Its sleek design and ARGB fans simplify cable management. It excels at overclocking, especially for high-TDP CPUs, offering effective cooling at lower noise levels. While the cooler generates some noise due to its three fans, they're smaller and quieter than certain air coolers. This cooler is a solid choice for effective and quieter cooling, even though its noise level is similar to other 360mm AIOs.

Phantom Spirit 120

The Phantom Spirit 120 cooler is easy to install, much like other Thermalright models. It's an upgrade from the 120 SE, featuring a neat textured design, two 120mm fans, and a subtle logo, staying true to Thermalright's style with a few improvements. This compact cooler delivers high-performance cooling with a seven heat pipe, dual tower setup, and it's pretty quiet too. It's a great choice for keeping high-end setups cool with minimal sound.