Buying Guide
The Best Black CPU Coolers
Five air coolers compared, from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black to the NH-U12S chromax.black, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A black cooler disappears into a dark build. Every pick has a black finish, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by heat pipes, fan size and height, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips heat pipes, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black
The highest heat pipe count here (7).
Best for: Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black
A 250W TDP rating.
Best for: Buyers who want 250W TDP rating.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black
A magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Best for: Buyers who want magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.black
A 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM.
Best for: Buyers who want 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.black (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black is a seven-heat-pipe dual tower with two PWM fans at a budget price.
Best for
- Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The black coating covers the heatsink and heat pipes for a consistent dark look. At 154mm tall it fits most mid-tower cases, and the black coating extends to the heat pipes rather than just the fin tops. Its S-FDB fans are rated for long service, and the heatsink has cut corners to clear tall RAM.
Mounting hardware covers AM4, AM5 and Intel sockets up to LGA1851. Its 7 heat pipe count is the highest here; the Pure Rock Pro 3 comes next at 6. On fan size it ties with the Pure Rock Pro 3, the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX and the NH-U12S chromax.black at 120mm.
It undercut the Pure Rock Pro 3 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its height; if that figure matters, the NH-L9x65 comes in at 65mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 7
- Fan size: 120mm
- Fans included: 2
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Black-coated dual-tower heatsink
- Two TL-C12B V2 PWM fans
Also Consider2 of 5
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Pure Rock Pro 3 is a black single-fan tower rated at 250W.
Best for
- Buyers who want 250W TDP rating.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is easy to mount and leaves room around the socket. Six black copper heat pipes and a nickel-plated base sit under a Pure Wings 3 PWM fan. It is rated for 250W.
Its compact offset design improves RAM and VRM clearance, and the fan height can be adjusted. It matches the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX on heat pipe count (6). It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX and the NH-U12S chromax.black on fan size (120mm). If you want a confirmed height, look to the NH-L9x65 instead: it comes in at 65mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Fans included: 1
Pros
- 250W TDP rating
- Pure Wings 3 PWM fan
- Six black-coated heat pipes
- Fan size of 120mm, ahead of the NH-L9x65
Cons
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX adds a 5-inch IPS screen to a six-heat-pipe dual tower, showing live system readings.
Best for
- Buyers who want magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black offers 7.
Why we like it
Its fans reach 2,150 RPM, so set a fan curve if noise matters. TRCC software shows live system stats on the screen and supports static, animated or video backgrounds. Mounting kits cover AM4, AM5 and Intel up to LGA1851.
It matches the Pure Rock Pro 3 on heat pipe count (6). It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the NH-U12S chromax.black on fan size (120mm). It also offers a black finish.
It was priced above the Pure Rock Pro 3 and below the NH-L9x65 at the time of writing. It gives ground on heat pipe count, where the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black offers 7.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Fans included: 2
Pros
- Two fans included
- Magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen
- Fans rated up to 2,150 RPM
- Black finish
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black (7)
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-L9x65 uses a 92mm fan on a 95x95mm footprint that keeps clear of the RAM and first PCIe slot.
Best for
- Buyers who want 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 92mm fan limits how much heat it can move quietl rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a tidy fit for mini-ITX boards with a 65W CPU. Its 92mm fan size is the smallest in this group; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black leads at 120mm. It also comes with an all-black chromax finish.
At 65mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. It was priced above the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX and below the NH-U12S chromax.black at the time of writing. There is no published heat pipe count figure, whereas the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black offers 7.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 92mm
- Height: 65mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM
- All-black chromax finish
- Lowest height of the picks (65mm)
Cons
- 92mm fan limits how much heat it can move quietly
- No published heat pipe count
- Fan size trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black (120mm)
Premium Pick5 of 5
Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-U12S is a slim 120mm tower that never overhangs the RAM or blocks the top PCIe slot.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass if a published heat pipe count matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
At 158mm it fits most towers, and the black finish suits a dark build. It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX on fan size (120mm). You also get an NF-F12 PWM fan.
Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Worth noting too: mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. Only the NH-L9x65 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published heat pipe count figure, whereas the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black offers 7.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 158mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots
- NF-F12 PWM fan
- All-black finish
Cons
- No published heat pipe count
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black at the time of writing
How We Chose These Black CPU Coolers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Cooling hardware
- We noted heat pipes, fan size and fan count from each listing.
- Sockets
- We checked that each maker names current AM5 and Intel LGA1851 support.
- Support
- We recorded warranty length where the maker states it.
- Fit
- We compared listed heights and footprints, since case and RAM clearance decide what fits.
What to Look for in a Black CPU Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much fan size you need
Among these picks, fan size runs from 92mm on the NH-L9x65 to 120mm on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black. Settle how much you need before comparing prices, since paying for more rarely helps if your use never reaches it.
Check the cooler height against your case
Every case offers a maximum CPU cooler height. Tower coolers run from about 150mm to 170mm, and low-profile coolers from under 40mm to about 70mm.
Leave a few millimetres for the side panel.
Size the cooler to the CPU
A 65W chip runs well on a single tower or a good low-profile cooler. Chips rated at 120W to 170W need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks without loud fans.
Bigger fans can spin slower
140mm fans move the same air as 120mm fans at lower speed, so larger coolers are often quieter at the same load.
Fan curves in the BIOS matter as much as the cooler.
Confirm the mounting kit
Check that the cooler lists your socket: AM5 and AM4 share mounting, while Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 share hole spacing. Older coolers may need a free or paid adapter.
How to Choose a Black CPU Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put heat pipe count first | Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black | The highest heat pipe count here (7) |
| Buyers who want 250W TDP rating | Pure Rock Pro 3 | A 250W TDP rating |
| Buyers who want magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen | Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX | A magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen |
| Buyers who want 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM | NH-L9x65 | A 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | NH-U12S chromax.black | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black | 7 | 120mm | Not listed | 2 |
| Pure Rock Pro 3 | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | 1 |
| Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | 2 |
| NH-L9x65 | Not listed | 92mm | 65mm | 1 |
| NH-U12S chromax.black | Not listed | 120mm | 158mm | 1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black |
| About $50 to $100 | Pure Rock Pro 3, Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX, NH-L9x65, NH-U12S chromax.black |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these air coolers compare on heat pipe count?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black leads at 7, ahead of the Pure Rock Pro 3 at 6; the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX sits at the other end with 6.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
That was the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black at our last check; if you can stretch, the Pure Rock Pro 3 is the next step up and the NH-U12S chromax.black the priciest.
Do AM4 coolers fit AM5?
Yes, AM5 keeps AM4's mounting, so most AM4 coolers fit. Check the maker's compatibility list to be sure.
Is an air cooler as good as an AIO?
A large dual-tower cooler matches many 240mm AIOs and has no pump to fail. AIOs help with very hot CPUs and free up space around the socket.
What cooler does a 65W CPU need?
A single-tower cooler handles it easily; a good low-profile cooler works in small cases.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, chosen for the highest heat pipe count here (7). Look at the Pure Rock Pro 3 for a 250W TDP rating, the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX for a magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen and the NH-L9x65 for a 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM if those matter more to you.
Match the fan frames and cable sleeves to keep the look consistent.