Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 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 Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE at 6.8/10.

The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE leads on noise, compatibility and fit and build and installation.

The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO leads on cooling and value.

The biggest difference is cooling, where the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO scores 9/10 to the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE's 6/10.

Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

6.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE is for builders who want a low-cost single-tower air cooler for a current Intel or AMD platform. It suits mainstream CPUs in cases with enough height for a 148mm cooler. Owners mostly praise its value, quiet running and easy fitting.

Typically about £15.95 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

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

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	Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
Cooling	35%	6/10	9/10
Noise	25%	7/10	6/10
Compatibility and fit	15%	7/10	4/10
Value	15%	8/10	9/10
Build and installation	10%	7/10	6/10
Overall		6.8/10	7.2/10

Specifications

Spec	Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size)	Single-tower air cooler	Dual-tower air cooler
Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)	Intel 115x/1200/1700/1851; AMD AM4/AM5	Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066, AMD AM4/AM5
Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO)	148 mm	157 mm
Fans included and their size	One 120 x 120 x 25 mm TL-C12C PWM fan, 1550 RPM max, 66.17 CFM max, 1.53 mm H2O max, S-FDB bearing	2 x TL-K12 120 x 120 x 25 mm PWM, 4-pin, ARGB connector, 2150 RPM max, 69 CFM max
Noise level (dBA)	25.6 dBA maximum (manufacturer figure)	27 dBA rated fan noise
Warranty (years)	3 years	5 years

Strengths and weaknesses

Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

+ Supports Intel 1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5
+ Owners praise value, quiet running and easy installation
+ 3-year warranty
− One owner reports it running warm under heavy load
− 148mm height may be too tall for some cases

Skip it if:

Buyers with a high-power CPU under sustained heavy load
Anyone with a compact case or limited CPU cooler height
Builders using tall RAM modules who need a confirmed clearance figure

Read the full Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 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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