Compare: Hyper 212 EVO vs Frost Spirit 140

Design and Aesthetics:

Hyper 212 EVO

The Hyper 212 Evo has a simple and clean design, with an aluminum tower and a single 120mm fan. It's black and silver, so it matches most computer setups. It doesn't have fancy lights like some other coolers, but it still looks professional and cool. Compared to other coolers, this cooler has a lighter feel in both the radiator and fan, giving in a cheaper feel.

Frost Spirit 140

The Frost Spirit looks very similar to the Frost commander and is a sleek CPU cooler with a design reminiscent of the Peerless Assassin 120. This cooler features a dual-tower heatsink with 4 large heat pipes with the heat pipe ends are hidden from view. Sporting gray and silver tones, the Thermalright logo shows on the top of the heatsink. Despite its larger radiator, the Frost Spirit uses a single 120mm fan in front and a 140mm fan between the heatsinks, giving it a distinct, asymmetrical look.

Install Notes:

Hyper 212 EVO

This cooler works with many different Intel and AMD sockets. This cooler proved to be rather difficult to install compared to the other coolers tested. there are many parts that don't look like their picture within the instructions. Some parts not even within the directions but look like parts that are used, which adds confusion. Given the install type, I would suspect that there is a high chance to damage your motherboard given the setup and for the hold not to be secure. The mount that connects to the cooler isn't even bolted on and it can feel like a puzzle to get it on the cooler. Overall, this has proven to be one of the most difficult installations.

Frost Spirit 140

The cooler installation is quite similar to Noctua's easy setup and is identical to the Frost Commander's setup. However, during installation, securing the fans to the heatsink requires more effort (relative to the Phantom Spirit or Peerless Assassin), which is due to the metal securing the fans requiring much more effort to place. For this reason, it's also a lot easier to slightly bend the heatsink fins, but this can be fixed by bending it back with a credit card.

Additionally, like Noctua coolers, the Frost Spirit faces challenges in uninstalling when trying to break the thermal paste seal between the cooler and CPU, as it doesn't easily slide or twist off. This can be an issue if the thermal paste forms a strong bond.

Cooling Performance:

Hyper 212 EVO

This cooler has four heat pipes that touch the CPU directly and a 120mm fan that helps take away the heat. This keeps your CPU from getting too hot when you're doing a lot of work on your computer or playing games. It might not be the best choice for extreme overclocking, but it's good enough for most people.

Frost Spirit 140

The Frost Spirit delivers impressive performance for its size, rivaling Noctua's offerings. Capable of cooling some of the more powerful CPUs without being overly bulky, this cooler can also manage overclocking for specific CPUs. As a result, the Frost Spirit is a strong contender for a wide variety of computer setups.

Noise Performance:

Hyper 212 EVO

Unfortunately, the Hyper 212 EVO is louder than most other coolers on the market. This means that you might experience more noise while your PC is running, which could be a drawback if you're sensitive to noise or prefer a quiet workspace. If having a quiet PC setup is important to you, it's worth considering other coolers with better noise profiles.

Frost Spirit 140

The Frost Spirit excels in providing an impressively silent operation, setting it apart from its sibling, the Frost Commander 140. The lower fan RPM of this cooler plays a substantial role in reducing noise levels when compared to the Frost Commander. Furthermore, it boasts a noise profile that can be likened to that of the NH-D15, making it an optimal selection for individuals who prioritize a noise-free environment.

Summary:

Hyper 212 EVO

The Hyper 212 Evo cooler, compatible with various Intel and AMD sockets, has a simple and clean design with an aluminum tower and a single 120mm fan, but its installation can be challenging and potentially damaging to the motherboard. Although it lacks fancy lights and has a cheaper feel, it performs well for most users with its four heat pipes and a 120mm fan that keeps the CPU cool during heavy workloads or gaming. However, it is louder than most other coolers, which may be a concern for those seeking a quiet workspace.

Frost Spirit 140

The Frost Spirit CPU cooler offers a sleek design resembling the Frost Commander and Peerless Assassin 120. It requires extra effort to secure the fans to the heatsink due to the metal's firm placement. Despite its larger radiator, the Frost Spirit maintains a compact size with a single 120mm front fan and a 140mm fan between the heatsinks. It delivers impressive performance, rivaling Noctua's offerings, and is capable of effectively cooling powerful CPUs and managing overclocking. Notably, it stands out for its remarkably quiet operation, surpassing the noise levels of the Frost Commander 140, with a noise profile similar to the NH-D15. Overall, the Frost Spirit is a stylish, powerful, and quiet CPU cooler suitable for various computer setups.