Compare: AS500 Plus vs Frost Spirit 140

Design and Aesthetics:

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 Plus features a sleek and minimalist design with a large aluminum heatsink, an eye-catching black finish, and a top cover with customizable RGB lighting. The AS500 Plus comes with two 140mm PWM fans that provide efficient heat dissipation and a striking appearance.

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:

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 Plus features a mounting system compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, and as of 2023, it employs DeepCool's more modern installation designs. These designs include additional components for an easier installation process. The backplates are secured by single hand-screwed nuts that also serve to hold the mount from the other side, simplifying the backplate placement during installation. Comprehensive instructions and high-quality components make the process user-friendly and straightforward. The remaining part of the installation resembles Noctua's typical installation, which is easy to execute but may pose challenges during uninstallation if the thermal paste adheres well to the CPU.

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:

AS500 Plus

The AS500 Plus has five heat pipes that effectively transfer heat away from the CPU and into the large fin array of the heatsink. The dual 140mm PWM fans deliver optimal airflow and cooling performance while maintaining low noise levels, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of processors, including high-end models with high TDPs.

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:

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 plus is a louder than average cooler. The two included 140mm fans are designed for optimal airflow and low noise levels. Although, this cooler can be louder than some other coolers of similar size, the relative cooling makes this cooler a contender for your setup.

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:

AS500 Plus

Deepcool AS500 Plus is a high-performance air cooler that provides excellent cooling capabilities, quiet operation, and a visually appealing design. Its customizable RGB lighting and compatibility with a wide range of processors make it a popular choice for PC enthusiasts seeking a reliable and efficient cooling solution for their systems.

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.