Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›
all judged against CPU coolers at a similar priceThe Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE scores 6.8/10 overall, ahead of the Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 at 5.6/10.
The Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 leads on noise and build and installation.
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on cooling, compatibility and fit and value.
The biggest difference is cooling, where the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE scores 7/10 to the Noctua NH-L9a-AM5's 4/10.
The Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 is for AM5 builders who need a low-profile cooler for a small case. It suits 65 W-class Ryzen chips and buyers who put quiet running ahead of cooling headroom. It is not aimed at overclockers or higher-end processors.
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The Phantom Spirit 120 SE is for builders who want a dual-tower air cooler for a current Intel or AMD desktop CPU on a modest budget. It suits mainstream and gaming systems, including Ryzen 7 7800X3D builds, where one owner reports around 65c under load. It is a less obvious choice for anyone who wants near-silent running under sustained heavy load.
Typically about £24.87 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
| Criterion | Weight | Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 | Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling | 35% | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Noise | 25% | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Compatibility and fit | 15% | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Value | 15% | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Build and installation | 10% | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Overall | 5.6/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Spec | Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 | Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size) | Low-profile top-flow air cooler | Tower air cooler, dual-tower |
| Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700) | AM5 | Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851; AMD AM4/AM5 |
| Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO) | 37 mm with fan (23 mm without fan) | 154 mm |
| Rated cooling capacity (W TDP) | 65 W (Noctua rating as stated by Vividrepairs; quietpc lists 95 W maximum TDP, so sources conflict) | 280 W (retailer figure, not manufacturer-published) |
| Fans included and their size | 1 x 92x92x14 mm NF-A9x14 PWM | 2 x TL-C12B V2 PWM, 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 1500 RPM ±10%, 66.17 CFM max, 1.53 mm H2O max, S-FDB bearing, 4-pin PWM |
| Noise level (dBA) | 23.6 dB(A) maximum; 14.8 dB(A) with Low-Noise Adaptor | 25.6 dBA (fan rating, manufacturer) |
| Warranty (years) | 6 years | 12 months |
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