Compare: Phantom Spirit 120 Evo vs Dark Rock Pro 5 (Performance)

Design and Aesthetics:

Phantom Spirit 120 Evo

The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO has similar looks to the regular Phantom Spirit 120 with two 120 millimeter fans, subtle Thermalright logo, and a flat textured design on the heatsink top. One key difference between this cooler and other Phantom Spirit designs is subtle the ARGB accented fans. However, there are other versions of the Phantom Spirit with a more pronounce ARGB presence.

Dark Rock Pro 5 (Performance)

This cooler features a sleek black design that stands out. The signature Be-Quiet fan adds a unique touch, breaking away from the cooler's boxy appearance. Additionally, the top of the cooler boasts a clean design, contributing to a polished and refined look for your setup.

Install Notes:

Phantom Spirit 120 Evo

This cooler has a similar installation components as many of the mainstream Thermalright designs, which is one of the easier installation setups. One difference is the mount is painted black and the screws have a larger head. 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.

Dark Rock Pro 5 (Performance)

The Dark Rock Pro 5 marks a notable advancement over its predecessors, featuring a mounting system that aligns with those of most mainstream coolers. This iteration enhances the design by securing the mounting bracket directly to the cooler, a change from the prior generation. Fan installation sees improvements too; the front fan comes pre-attached, ensuring perfect alignment, while the middle fan is designed to slide in from the top, secured by the top mount instead of side brackets. These enhancements significantly improve the cooler's setup and performance compared to the previous generation. Additionally, given the option to change the power speed on the top of the cooler, the middle fan has a 5 pin connector to facilitate this functionality, which forces you to use their connection rather than direct control through the motherboard.

Cooling Performance:

Phantom Spirit 120 Evo

The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO upholds the high-performance legacy of Thermalright's Phantom Spirit series, emerging as a strong option for those in search of a premium cooler. Featuring a seven heat pipe dual tower configuration and equipped with two 120mm fans, this compact cooler is adept at managing cooling requirements that were previously the domain of All-In-One cooling systems.

Dark Rock Pro 5 (Performance)

There are two modes to this cooler, the performance mode and the quiet mode. The cooler selected covers the performance mode of the cooler. Overall, this cooler provides better cooling than the average cooler tested. However, this cooler get's puts to its limits when placed under high loads. With that in mind, if you're looking to place this cooler on a CPU that produces a lot of heat, you may want to consider other options. Check out our temperature graphs to see how the cooler performance on your respective CPU.

Noise Performance:

Phantom Spirit 120 Evo

The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO variant distinguishes itself with a unique set of fans that provide increased airflow and air pressure. However, this enhancement comes with a trade-off: a higher noise level compared to other models in the Phantom Spirit range. As a result, while this cooler boasts a modern and stylish design, it might not be the ideal choice for those prioritizing a quiet computer setup.

Dark Rock Pro 5 (Performance)

In regards to sound, this cooler is quieter than the average cooler between 60% fan speed and 90% fan speed. However as the fan approaches 100%, the noise level is more in line with what to expect from an average cooler.

Summary:

Phantom Spirit 120 Evo

The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO, maintaining the easy installation of Thermalright's designs, features a unique black mount and larger screws. It resembles the standard Phantom Spirit 120 in design, with subtle ARGB accented fans, but stands out with a seven heat pipe dual tower design for efficient cooling. However, its unique fans offer increased airflow and pressure at the cost of higher noise, posing a challenge for those seeking a quieter computer setup.

Dark Rock Pro 5 (Performance)

The Dark Rock Pro 5 features an improved mounting system and pre-attached fans for easier setup, with an option to adjust fan speed directly on the device. Its sleek black design and signature quiet fan contribute to both aesthetics and performance, offering enhanced cooling in both performance and quiet modes. Although it outperforms average coolers under moderate loads, it may struggle with high-heat CPUs. Noise levels are lower than average until the fan reaches full speed, where it aligns with typical cooler sounds.