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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE BlackThe highest heat pipe count here (7).
Best for: Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 BlackA 250W TDP rating.
Best for: Buyers who want 250W TDP rating.
Check price for be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB BlackA magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Best for: Buyers who want magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.blackA 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM.
Best for: Buyers who want 95x95mm footprint that stays clear of the RAM.
Check price for Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Noctua NH-U12S chromax.blackThe 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 a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots and can spend more than the NH-L9x65 costs.
Check price for Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black
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 two TL-C12B V2 PWM fans run up to 1500rpm and are rated at up to 66.17CFM and 25.6dB(A) or less. 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.
Key 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
The catch
The maker doesn't give its height; if that figure matters, the NH-L9x65 comes in at 65mm.
Also Consider2 of 5
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black
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 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
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 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
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 quietly 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 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
The NH-U12S is a slim 120mm tower that never overhangs the RAM or blocks the top PCIe slot.
Best for
- Buyers who want a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots and can spend more than the NH-L9x65 costs.
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 ships with an NF-F12 120mm PWM fan and a Low-Noise Adaptor, NT-H1 thermal paste and the SecuFirm2 mount, and Noctua backs it with a 6-year warranty. Mounting covers Intel LGA1851, LGA1700 and LGA1200 as well as AMD AM5 and AM4.
It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX on fan size (120mm). Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Only the NH-L9x65 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key 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
The catch
There is no published heat pipe count figure, whereas the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black offers 7.
How We Chose These Black CPU Coolers
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and heat pipe count and height are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black to the NH-U12S chromax.black, state fan size and fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NH-L9x65 and the NH-U12S chromax.black give no heat pipe count; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX give no height.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black (under $50) to the NH-U12S chromax.black ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Black CPU Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fan size
Here fan size runs from 92mm on the NH-L9x65 to 120mm on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, a 30% spread. The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black is the pick for fan size.
How much heat pipe count you need
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black tops heat pipe count at 7 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX sits lowest at 6. If heat pipe count is your first filter, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black sets the ceiling at 7. The NH-L9x65 and the NH-U12S chromax.black give no heat pipe count figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans Height across these picks
The NH-L9x65 tops height at 65mm and the NH-U12S chromax.black sits lowest at 158mm. Start with the NH-L9x65 if height decides it. The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX give no height figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX: fans rated up to 2,150 RPM. The NH-L9x65: an all-black chromax finish. The NH-U12S chromax.black: an NF-F12 PWM fan.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black; $50 to $100 buys the Pure Rock Pro 3, the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX, the NH-L9x65 and the NH-U12S chromax.black at our last check.
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 a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots and can spend more than the NH-L9x65 costs | 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
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black leads on fan size at 120mm, ahead of the Pure Rock Pro 3 at 120mm. "Not listed" marks heat pipe count where the NH-L9x65 and the NH-U12S chromax.black leave the figure out.
| 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
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the NH-U12S chromax.black at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| 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 does the Pure Rock Pro 3 compare with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black on heat pipe count?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black leads at 7, with the Pure Rock Pro 3 at 6. The NH-L9x65 and the NH-U12S chromax.black don't state a heat pipe count figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the NH-L9x65 ahead of the NH-U12S chromax.black on height?
The NH-L9x65 is lowest on height at 65mm; the NH-U12S chromax.black follows at 158mm, 59% apart. No height figure is published for the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black, the Pure Rock Pro 3 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What makes the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black the Highest Heat Pipe Count?
It carries the badge for the highest heat pipe count here (7). The Pure Rock Pro 3 is next on heat pipe count at 6, so this pick's 7 is 17% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts heat pipe count first.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black and the Pure Rock Pro 3 apart?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black: a black-coated dual-tower heatsink. The Pure Rock Pro 3: a 250W TDP rating. The Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX: a magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Should I pick the Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black or the NH-U12S chromax.black?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE Black suits buyers who put heat pipe count first; the NH-U12S chromax.black suits buyers who want a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots and can spend more than the NH-L9x65 costs.
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.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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