Buying Guide
The Best Compact CPU Coolers for Gaming
We weighed four air coolers on heat pipe count and fan size; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE has the highest heat pipe count, and the Frozn A620 Pro SE costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A compact cooler suits mid-range CPUs and leaves RAM space. Every pick has four or more heat pipes, stands 160mm or less and cost $60 or less, ordered by heat pipes.
Rankings weigh heat pipes, fan size and height as the makers state them; we did not test these air coolers ourselves, and if a maker skips height, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
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 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Height
Thermalright AXP120-X67
The lowest height here (67mm).
Best for: Buyers who put height first.
Our take Check price for Thermalright AXP120-X67 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest heat pipe count here (7). | Buyers who put heat pipe count first. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest height here (67mm). | Buyers who put height first. | Check price for Thermalright AXP120-X67 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 4
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE packs seven heat pipes and two 120mm fans into a 154mm-tall dual tower.
Best for
- Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Frozn A620 Pro SE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Thermalright rates it for CPUs up to 280W, which covers most gaming chips with room to spare. Thermalright rates it for CPUs from 105W to 280W, and mounting kits cover AM4, AM5 and Intel up to LGA1851. On heat pipe count it leads this guide at 7, ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE (6).
Its 154mm height ranks second of 3 here, behind the AXP120-X67 (67mm) and ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE (157mm). Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. When we checked, only the AXP120-X67 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 7
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 154mm
- Fans included: 2
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Dual-tower heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Frozn A620 Pro SE is the cheapest dual tower here, with six heat pipes, a 157mm height and a 260W rating.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if height matters most to you; the AXP120-X67 offers 67mm.
Why we like it
Its dual-tower heatsink and two 120mm PWM fans stand 157mm tall, which fits most tower cases. The black finish suits a dark interior. Its RAM clearance of 40mm fits standard-height memory under the front fan.
It is rated at 27.2dB(A) maximum noise. Its two PWM fans slow down at idle. On heat pipe count it ties with the AXP120-X67 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX at 6.
On height it trails the group at 157mm, while the AXP120-X67 comes in at 67mm. Check that your case offers at least 157mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the AXP120-X67 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 157mm
- Fans included: 2
Pros
- Two fans included
- 260W rating
- 40mm clearance for standard RAM
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Height trails the AXP120-X67 (67mm)
Lowest Height3 of 4
Thermalright AXP120-X67 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AXP120-X67 fits six heat pipes and a 15mm-thick 120mm fan into 67mm.
Best for
- Buyers who put height first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Frozn A620 Pro SE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the value choice for small cases with a 65W or mid-range CPU. On heat pipe count it ties with the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX at 6. Its 67mm height is the lowest here; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes next at 154mm.
You also get a 26.1dB(A) noise rating. At 67mm 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. The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. Its price falls between the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 6
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 67mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 15mm-thick 120mm fan
- 26.1dB(A) noise rating
- Lowest height of the picks (67mm)
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
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 the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE 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.
On heat pipe count it ties with the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the AXP120-X67 at 6. You also get a black finish. Worth noting too: two fans included.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Phantom Spirit 120 SE. If heat pipe count is your priority, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7) is the stronger choice.
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 (7)
- No published height
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Compact CPU Coolers for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE to the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX, state heat pipe count, fan size and fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX gives no height; the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX give no sockets named.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Frozn A620 Pro SE (under $50) to the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Compact CPU Cooler for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much heat pipe count you need
Here heat pipe count runs from 6 on the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX to 7 on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE. Start with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE if heat pipe count decides it.
Height
Here height runs from 157mm on the Frozn A620 Pro SE to 67mm on the AXP120-X67. The AXP120-X67 is the pick for height. No figure for the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX.
Extras that separate them
The Frozn A620 Pro SE: 40mm clearance for standard RAM. The AXP120-X67: a 26.1dB(A) noise rating. The Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX: fans rated up to 2,150 RPM.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Frozn A620 Pro SE, the AXP120-X67 and the Phantom Spirit 120 SE; $50 to $100 buys the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put heat pipe count first: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE. Spending as little as possible: the Frozn A620 Pro SE. Buyers who put height first: the AXP120-X67.
How to Choose a Compact CPU Cooler for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put heat pipe count first | Phantom Spirit 120 SE | The highest heat pipe count here (7) |
| Spending as little as possible | Frozn A620 Pro SE | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who put height first | AXP120-X67 | The lowest height here (67mm) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on heat pipe count at 7, ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE at 6. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | 2 |
| Frozn A620 Pro SE | 6 | 120mm | 157mm | 2 |
| AXP120-X67 | 6 | 120mm | 67mm | 1 |
| Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | 2 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Frozn A620 Pro SE was the lowest-priced pick and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Frozn A620 Pro SE, AXP120-X67, Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
| About $50 to $100 | Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Frozn A620 Pro SE compare with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE on heat pipe count?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads at 7, with the Frozn A620 Pro SE at 6.
Which has the lowest height: the AXP120-X67 or the Phantom Spirit 120 SE?
The AXP120-X67 comes out best at 67mm, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 154mm. The Frozn A620 Pro SE is at the other end of this group with 157mm. The Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Why is the AXP120-X67 our Lowest Height pick?
It earns the label for the lowest height here (67mm). It suits anyone who put height first.
What extras do the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the Frozn A620 Pro SE include?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a dual-tower heatsink. The Frozn A620 Pro SE: a 260W rating. The AXP120-X67: a 15mm-thick 120mm fan.
Who should choose the Phantom Spirit 120 SE?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE carries our Highest Heat Pipe Count label for the highest heat pipe count here (7). It ranks first of 4 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, chosen for the highest heat pipe count here (7). Look at the Frozn A620 Pro SE for the lowest price of the group at our last check, the AXP120-X67 for the lowest height here (67mm) and the Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a magnetic top cover with a 5-inch IPS screen if those matter more to you.
Check cooler height against the case's maximum.