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

Design and Aesthetics:

Phantom Spirit 120 SE

The Phantom Spirit 120 SE looks a lot like the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, with a cool and stylish design. It has a big aluminum heatsink, all-black fans, and a black top radiator. The white Thermalright logo really pops on the black background. The two 120mm fans make sure your computer stays cool and runs smoothly. This sleek look is perfect for many computer builds, and it's a popular choice for people who want a great cooler without spending too much money. Plus, you can get this cooler in different styles.

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 SE

This cooler installation is very similar to Noctua's typical installation, which is one of the easier installation setups. However, it also faces similar issues 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 SE

The Phantom Spirit 120 SE shows off amazing performance, competing with Noctua coolers of the same size. Its seven heat pipes help move heat from the CPU to the large heatsink fins, keeping your computer cool. It works well with many types of processors, even powerful ones with high heat output. This cooler can handle tough tasks and serious overclocking for some CPUs, making it a popular choice for keeping your computer cool and running smoothly.

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 SE

The Phantom Spirit 120 SE is known for being pretty quiet while it keeps your computer cool. It comes with two 120mm TL-C12B PWM fans that are made for great airflow and low noise. Even though it might be a bit louder than some other coolers of the same size, its excellent cooling performance makes it a strong choice for your 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 SE

The Phantom Spirit 120 SE is a stylish and high-performing cooler with a sleek design featuring a large aluminum heatsink, all-black fans, and a black top radiator. It has two 120mm fans that ensure your computer stays cool and runs smoothly, and it's compatible with various types of processors. With its seven heat pipes and ability to handle tough tasks and overclocking, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE is an attractive choice for computer enthusiasts of all ages who want a top-notch cooler without spending a fortune. Plus, it's available in different styles to match your preference.

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.