Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers for a Gaming PC
Five air coolers for a gaming PC, from a single-tower Dark Rock 5 to Thermalright's Phantom Spirit with a temperature display.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Most gaming CPUs run well under a good air cooler. The main checks are height against your case, RAM clearance and socket support.
We compared heatpipes, fans and height from each listing; we did not test these coolers.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Gaming PC Cooler
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOWSeven heatpipes and two fans with a digital display.
Best for: Most gaming CPUs.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Quiet Dual-Tower
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 6Seven heatpipes with two 135mm fans.
Best for: Quiet high-end builds.
Check price for be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 6 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best White Display Cooler
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB WhiteSix heatpipes and a digital display in white.
Best for: White builds.
Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Dual-Fan
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SESix heatpipes and two 120mm fans at 157mm tall.
Best for: Budget gaming PCs.
Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Single-Fan Pick
be quiet! Dark Rock 5Six heatpipes with one 120mm fan.
Best for: Six- and eight-core gaming chips.
Check price for be quiet! Dark Rock 5 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Gaming PC Cooler1 of 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW is the all-white version of the Digital EVO, with a temperature display on top.
Best for
- Most gaming CPUs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Frozn A620 Pro SE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
TRCC software shows CPU and GPU temperatures on the display, and the text colour can be changed. On heat pipe count it ties with the Dark Rock Pro 6 at 7. On fan size it ties with the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White, the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Dark Rock 5 at 120mm.
On height it sits mid-pack at 160mm: the Frozn A620 Pro SE comes in at 157mm, and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White comes in at 162mm. It also offers a magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature. Check that your case offers at least 160mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White and the pricier Dark Rock 5, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 7
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 160mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- All-white finish
Cons
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
Best Quiet Dual-Tower2 of 5
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 6
The Dark Rock Pro 6 is be quiet!'s newest dual tower, rated at 300W, with a switch between maximum cooling and quiet modes.
Best for
- Quiet high-end builds.
Skip if
- The maker gives no height, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Its mode switch picks maximum cooling or a semi-passive mode that stops the fans below 40% PWM. Seven copper heat pipes carry the heat. A pre-installed mounting bridge and rail-mounted front fan make installation easier, and the fan height adjusts for tall RAM.
It comes with liquid metal thermal grease in the box. On heat pipe count it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW at 7. On fan size it leads this guide at 135mm, ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW (120mm). It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Dark Rock 5.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 7
- Fan size
- 135mm
- Fans included
- 2
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- 300W TDP rating
- Active mode switch for maximum cooling or quiet operation
Cons
- No published height
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed height should compare it with the Frozn A620 Pro SE, which comes in at 157mm.
Best White Display Cooler3 of 5
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White
The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White adds a temperature display to the six-pipe Peerless Assassin in a white finish.
Best for
- White builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if height matters most to you; the Frozn A620 Pro SE offers 157mm.
Why we like it
Its ARGB fans sync through a standard 5V 3-pin header. On heat pipe count it ties with the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Dark Rock 5 at 6. On fan size it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW, the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Dark Rock 5 at 120mm.
On height it trails the group at 162mm, while the Frozn A620 Pro SE comes in at 157mm. It also offers a 25.6dB(A) noise rating. Check that your case offers at least 162mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering.
The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Frozn A620 Pro SE and the pricier Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 162mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Two fans included
- Magnetic digital display board
- 25.6dB(A) noise rating
- Six heatpipes and a digital display in white
Cons
- Height trails the Frozn A620 Pro SE (157mm)
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is height; for more, the Frozn A620 Pro SE comes in at 157mm.
Best Budget Dual-Fan4 of 5
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE
The Frozn A620 Pro SE is the cheapest dual tower here, with six heat pipes, a 157mm height and a 260W rating.
Best for
- Budget gaming PCs.
Skip if
- Pass on it if heat pipe count of 6, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW (7) rules it out for your setup.
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 Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White and the Dark Rock 5 at 6.
Nothing else here matches its 157mm height; the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW comes closest at 160mm. 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 Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White was the next step up.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 157mm
- Fans included
- 2
Pros
- Two fans included
- 260W rating
- 40mm clearance for standard RAM
- Lowest height of the picks (157mm)
Cons
- Heat pipe count of 6, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW (7)
The catch
The main gap: heat pipe count of 6, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW (7). If that matters, the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW offers 7.
Best Single-Fan Pick5 of 5
be quiet! Dark Rock 5
The Dark Rock 5 is an asymmetrical single tower with six heat pipes that clears RAM and VRM heatsinks.
Best for
- Six- and eight-core gaming chips.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW offers 7.
Why we like it
A pre-installed mounting bridge makes fitting it easier, and a magnetic mesh cover hides the heat pipe ends. Its Silent Wings 4 fan has a tight blade tip clearance for quiet airflow. It matches the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White and the Frozn A620 Pro SE on heat pipe count (6).
It also comes with a simplified mounting system. When we checked, only the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW and cheaper picks cost less, and the Dark Rock Pro 6 cost more. Heat pipe count is its weakest area, and the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW covers it better at 7.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Fans included
- 1
Pros
- Asymmetrical heatsink that clears RAM and VRM heatsinks
- Silent Wings 4 fan
- Simplified mounting system
- Six heatpipes with one 120mm fan
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW (7)
- Fan size trails the Dark Rock Pro 6 (135mm)
- No published height
How We Chose These CPU Coolers for Gaming PCs
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.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while height and sockets named have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW to the Dark Rock 5, state heat pipe count, fan size and fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Dark Rock Pro 6 and the Dark Rock 5 give no height; the Dark Rock Pro 6, the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Dark Rock 5 give no sockets named.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Frozn A620 Pro SE (under $50) to the Dark Rock Pro 6 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler for Gaming PCs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Heat pipe count across these picks
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW tops heat pipe count at 7 and the Dark Rock 5 sits lowest at 6; 2 picks share the top figure. The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW is the pick for heat pipe count.
How much fan size you need
Here fan size runs from 120mm on the Dark Rock 5 to 135mm on the Dark Rock Pro 6, a 13% spread. Start with the Dark Rock Pro 6 if fan size decides it.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC Height
Here height runs from 162mm on the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White to 157mm on the Frozn A620 Pro SE, a 3% spread. If height is your first filter, the Frozn A620 Pro SE sets the ceiling at 157mm. The Dark Rock Pro 6 and the Dark Rock 5 give no height figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White: a 25.6dB(A) noise rating. The Frozn A620 Pro SE: 40mm clearance for standard RAM. The Dark Rock 5: a Silent Wings 4 fan.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Frozn A620 Pro SE and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White; $50 to $100 buys the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW and the Dark Rock 5; $100 to $150 buys the Dark Rock Pro 6 at our last check.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Gaming PCs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming CPUs | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW | Seven heatpipes and two fans with a digital display |
| Quiet high-end builds | Dark Rock Pro 6 | Seven heatpipes with two 135mm fans |
| White builds | Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White | Six heatpipes and a digital display in white |
| Budget gaming PCs | Frozn A620 Pro SE | Six heatpipes and two 120mm fans at 157mm tall |
| Six- and eight-core gaming chips | Dark Rock 5 | Six heatpipes with one 120mm fan |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW leads on heat pipe count at 7, ahead of the Dark Rock Pro 6 at 7. "Not listed" marks height where the Dark Rock Pro 6 and the Dark Rock 5 leave the figure out.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW | 7 | 120mm | 160mm | 2 |
| Dark Rock Pro 6 | 7 | 135mm | Not listed | 2 |
| Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White | 6 | 120mm | 162mm | 2 |
| Frozn A620 Pro SE | 6 | 120mm | 157mm | 2 |
| Dark Rock 5 | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | 1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Frozn A620 Pro SE was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Dark Rock Pro 6 the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Frozn A620 Pro SE, Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White |
| About $50 to $100 | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW, Dark Rock 5 |
| About $100 to $150 | Dark Rock Pro 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dark Rock Pro 6 ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW on fan size?
The Dark Rock Pro 6 leads at 135mm, with the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW at 120mm.
How does the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW compare with the Frozn A620 Pro SE on height?
Between the top two, it is 157mm on the Frozn A620 Pro SE against 160mm on the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW, a 2% difference. The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White is at the other end of this group with 162mm. The Dark Rock Pro 6 and the Dark Rock 5 are left out of this ranking because their height isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Dark Rock Pro 6 add over the Frozn A620 Pro SE?
The spec sheets show heat pipe count (7 against 6) and fan size (135mm against 120mm) in its favour. On our last price check the Frozn A620 Pro SE was in the under $50 tier and the Dark Rock Pro 6 in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if heat pipe count and fan size decide your purchase.
Why is the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW our Best Gaming PC Cooler pick?
It earns the label for seven heatpipes and two fans with a digital display. The price of that: the Frozn A620 Pro SE, the cheapest pick, still beats it on height (157mm against 160mm). It suits most gaming CPUs.
What extras do the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW and the Dark Rock Pro 6 include?
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW: an all-white finish. The Dark Rock Pro 6: a 300W TDP rating. The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White: a magnetic digital display board.
Bottom Line
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital SNOW is the best air cooler for most gaming PCs, and the Dark Rock Pro 6 is the quiet pick. The Peerless Assassin Digital White suits white builds, the Frozn A620 Pro SE is the budget choice, and the Dark Rock 5 is a single-fan tower.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPU Air Coolers
- Related guideThe Best Air Coolers
- Related guideThe Best Gaming CPU Coolers
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Air Coolers for Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Compact CPU Coolers for Gaming
- ExplainerPC Airflow Explained
- ExplainerHow Many Case Fans Do You Need?
- Check compatibility: processorsHow to Check CPU and Motherboard Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best Compact AIOs for Gaming
- Topic hubAll cpu coolers and cooling guides
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
View all articles