ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against CPU coolers at a similar price

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 scores 8.1/10 overall, ahead of the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO at 7.2/10.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 leads on noise, compatibility and fit and build and installation.

They score the same on cooling and value.

The biggest difference is compatibility and fit, where the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 scores 7/10 to the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO's 4/10.

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240

8.1/10verdict: buy

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 is for builders who want strong cooling from a 240 mm all-in-one liquid cooler. It suits Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 systems as well as AMD AM5 and AM4 builds. It is best for people who have checked their case can take a 38 mm thick radiator.

Typically about £59.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

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Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

7.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO suits builders who want top-tier air cooling for a high-end CPU without moving to liquid. It works best in a roomy case with low-profile memory. It is a poor match for compact builds or tall RAM kits.

Typically about £42 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
Cooling	35%	9/10	9/10
Noise	25%	7/10	6/10
Compatibility and fit	15%	7/10	4/10
Value	15%	9/10	9/10
Build and installation	10%	8/10	6/10
Overall		8.1/10	7.2/10

Specifications

Spec	ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size)	AIO liquid, 240 mm radiator	Dual-tower air cooler
Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)	Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700; AMD AM5 and AM4	Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066, AMD AM4/AM5
Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO)	Radiator 277 × 120 × 38 mm (L × W × H)	157 mm
Fans included and their size	2 × P12 Pro, 120 mm, 600–3000 rpm, 77 cfm, 6.9 mmH2O, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin PWM; pump 800–2800 rpm; VRM fan 400–2500 rpm	2 x TL-K12 120 x 120 x 25 mm PWM, 4-pin, ARGB connector, 2150 RPM max, 69 CFM max
Noise level (dBA)	not listed	27 dBA rated fan noise
Warranty (years)	6 years	5 years

Strengths and weaknesses

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240

+ Tom's Hardware calls it the strongest AIO it has tested
+ Noise-normalised result ties for the best the reviewer has seen
+ Pre-applied MX-6 paste, pre-installed fans and a 6-year warranty
− Pump can be louder than some users prefer at full speed
− 38 mm radiator means checking case clearance first
− Some owners find noise only good, not exceptional

Skip it if:

Buyers whose case may not have room for a 38 mm thick radiator.
Anyone who wants a completely silent PC sitting close to their desk.
People who prefer an air cooler over any liquid-cooled setup.

Read the full ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 review ›

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

+ Second-best air cooler result in Tom's Hardware's 238 W test
+ Supports AM4, AM5, LGA1700 and LGA1851 among its sockets
+ Five-year warranty
− Hangs over all four DIMM slots
− Somewhat loud at maximum fan speed
− Heavy and bulky at 810 g without fans

Skip it if:

Builders with tall RAM kits who cannot swap to low-profile memory
Anyone with a compact case or limited CPU area clearance
Buyers who want the quietest possible running at full fan speed

Read the full Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO review ›

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