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ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

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

all judged against CPU coolers at a similar price

The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO scores 7.2/10 overall, ahead of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 at 6.8/10.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 leads on compatibility and fit.

The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO leads on noise, value and build and installation.

They score the same on cooling.

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360

6.8/10verdict: good, not the best

This is a 360 mm all-in-one cooler for people with a high-power AMD or Intel chip who want maximum cooling headroom. It suits builders who are happy to set a fan curve and fit a long radiator. It is a weaker choice for anyone who wants a quiet build with little setup.

Typically about £67.49 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

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 (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
Cooling35%9/109/10
Noise25%4/106/10
Compatibility and fit15%6/104/10
Value15%8/109/10
Build and installation10%5/106/10
Overall6.8/107.2/10

Specifications

SpecARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size)AIO liquid, 360 mm radiatorDual-tower air cooler
Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)AMD AM5, AM4; Intel LGA1851, LGA1700Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066, AMD AM4/AM5
Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO)Radiator 398 (L) x 120 (W) x 38 (H) mm; tubing 450 mm; weight 2020 g157 mm
Fans included and their size3 x P12 Pro 120 mm, 600-3000 rpm, 77 cfm, 6.9 mmH2O; pump 800-2800 rpm; VRM fan 400-2500 rpm2 x TL-K12 120 x 120 x 25 mm PWM, 4-pin, ARGB connector, 2150 RPM max, 69 CFM max
Noise level (dBA)0.3 Sone at maximum fan speed (third-party reported)27 dBA rated fan noise
Warranty (years)6 years5 years

Strengths and weaknesses

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360

  • + Lower temperatures than two 360/420 mm rivals in Club386's tests
  • + MX-6 paste is pre-applied and the warranty runs six years
  • + Separate VRM fan covers the socket area
  • − TechPowerUp calls the fans excessively loud above 50% PWM
  • − Intel mounting is a hassle and no manual was included
  • − An owner returned one over pump noise

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want a quiet system and will not tune fan speeds
  • Intel builders who want a simple, well-documented mounting process
  • Anyone whose case cannot take a 398 mm-long 360 mm radiator
Read the full ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 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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