Buying Guide
The Best CPU Air Coolers
Six CPU air coolers compared on heat pipes, fan size, height and socket support, from budget dual towers to Noctua's flagship.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A good air cooler handles almost any gaming CPU quietly, with no pump to wear out. Size is the real constraint: tower coolers need case height, and wide dual towers can overhang the RAM.
We compared six air coolers on heat pipes, fans, height and socket support. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Value Dual Tower
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SESeven heat pipes and two fans at a budget price.
Best for: Most gaming builds with a mid-range to high-end CPU.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Premium Air Cooler
Noctua NH-D15 G2Eight heat pipes and two 140mm fans.
Best for: Hot CPUs in quiet builds with a roomy case.
Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Cooler
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SEA dual-tower design at an entry-level price.
Best for: Budget builds that still want two fans.
Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5The Dark Rock Pro 5 is be quiet!'s quiet-first dual tower, with seven heat pipes, Silent Wings fans and a switch that trades speed for silence.
Best for: Buyers who want 7 heat pipes.
Check price for be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
ARCTIC Freezer 36The Freezer 36 is a single tower with fans in push-pull and a contact frame for Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700.
Best for: Buyers who want 6-year warranty.
Check price for ARCTIC Freezer 36 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Single Tower
Noctua NH-U12S reduxA slim single tower that keeps RAM slots clear.
Best for: Builds with tall RAM or a narrow case.
Check price for Noctua NH-U12S redux on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven heat pipes and two fans at a budget price. | Most gaming builds with a mid-range to high-end CPU. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight heat pipes and two 140mm fans. | Hot CPUs in quiet builds with a roomy case. | Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual-tower design at an entry-level price. | Budget builds that still want two fans. | Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Dark Rock Pro 5 is be quiet!'s quiet-first dual tower, with seven heat pipes, Silent Wings fans and a switch that trades speed for silence. | Buyers who want 7 heat pipes. | Check price for be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Freezer 36 is a single tower with fans in push-pull and a contact frame for Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700. | Buyers who want 6-year warranty. | Check price for ARCTIC Freezer 36 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A slim single tower that keeps RAM slots clear. | Builds with tall RAM or a narrow case. | Check price for Noctua NH-U12S redux on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Value Dual Tower1 of 6
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE packs seven heat pipes and two 120mm fans into a 154mm-tall dual tower.
Best for
- Most gaming builds with a mid-range to high-end CPU.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Freezer 36 cost less when we checked.
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 ties with the Dark Rock Pro 5 at 7.
On fan size it ties with the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, the Freezer 36 and the NH-U12S redux at 120mm. Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Its price falls between the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and the NH-U12S redux, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed warranty should compare it with the NH-D15 G2, which offers 6-year.
Key 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 Freezer 36 at the time of writing
Best Premium Air Cooler2 of 6
Noctua NH-D15 G2
The NH-D15 G2 is Noctua's flagship: eight heat pipes, two 140mm fans and a six-year warranty.
Best for
- Hot CPUs in quiet builds with a roomy case.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Freezer 36, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its offset design keeps the top PCIe slot clear, but it is a large cooler, so check your case first. Its fans have a speed offset for acoustic fine-tuning, and there is 20% more fin area than the original NH-D15. On heat pipe count it leads this guide at 8, ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7).
Its 140mm fan size is the largest here; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes next at 120mm. You also get 59mm RAM clearance with one fan fitted and NT-H2 paste in the box. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Dark Rock Pro 5 and the rest.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 8
- Fan size
- 140mm
- Warranty
- 6-year
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 8 heat pipes
- 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow
- 6-year warranty
- Two fans included
Cons
- Costs more than the Freezer 36 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its height; if that figure matters, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm.
Best Budget Cooler3 of 6
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is the budget dual tower most builders reach for, with six heat pipes and two 120mm fans.
Best for
- Budget builds that still want two fans.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Freezer 36 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Thermalright does not list its height on Amazon, so check the spec page before buying for a narrow case. At 155mm tall it fits most mid-towers, and its six heat pipes and two PWM fans handle mainstream CPUs. It is one of the best-known budget dual towers.
On heat pipe count it sits mid-pack at 6: the NH-D15 G2 offers 8, and the Freezer 36 comes in at 4. On fan size it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, the Freezer 36 and the NH-U12S redux at 120mm. You also get a 25.6dB(A) noise rating.
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 6, between the cheaper Freezer 36 and the pricier Phantom Spirit 120 SE, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Two fans included
- Dual-tower heatsink
- 25.6dB(A) noise rating
- Heat pipe count of 6, ahead of the Freezer 36
Cons
- Costs more than the Freezer 36 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its height; if that figure matters, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm.
Worth Considering4 of 6
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5
The Dark Rock Pro 5 is be quiet!'s quiet-first dual tower, with seven heat pipes, Silent Wings fans and a switch that trades speed for silence.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7 heat pipes.
Skip if
- Its fan size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Check its height on be quiet!'s site against your case. Seven copper heat pipes and a ceramic-particle black coating aid cooling, and two Silent Wings PWM fans use fluid-dynamic bearings. It is built to stay quiet under load.
On heat pipe count it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 7. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper NH-U12S redux and the pricier NH-D15 G2, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its fan size; if that figure matters, the NH-D15 G2 comes in at 140mm.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 7
- Fans included
- 2
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Speed Switch for quiet or performance fan modes
- Silent Wings PWM fans
Cons
- No published fan size
- Costs more than the Freezer 36 at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice5 of 6
ARCTIC Freezer 36
The Freezer 36 is a single tower with fans in push-pull and a contact frame for Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6-year warranty.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the NH-D15 G2 offers 8.
Why we like it
Its six-year warranty matches Noctua's. Its four offset heat pipes run in a single tower with two fans in push-pull. The click-in fan mounts make fan swaps easy, and it takes most 120mm fans.
Its side-flow heatsink lets the rear fan pull air through the fins and out of the case, and ARCTIC backs it with a six-year warranty. Its pressure-optimised fans push air through four offset heat pipes, which suits high-end CPUs in a single tower. Its 4 heat pipe count is the lowest in this group; the NH-D15 G2 leads at 8.
It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and the NH-U12S redux on fan size (120mm). No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE was closest.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 4
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Warranty
- 6-year
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 6-year warranty
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Push-pull single tower
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the NH-D15 G2 (8)
The catch
Heat pipe count is its weakest area, and the NH-D15 G2 covers it better at 8.
Best Single Tower6 of 6
Noctua NH-U12S redux
The NH-U12S redux is a slim single tower with one 120mm fan.
Best for
- Builds with tall RAM or a narrow case.
Skip if
- The maker gives no heat pipe count, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It sits clear of the RAM slots and suits 65W to mid-range CPUs in narrower cases. It is a lower-cost redux version of the NH-U12S, with an NF-P12 redux fan that is near silent at idle. It ships with an NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan, NT-H1 thermal paste and the SecuFirm2 mounting system, and it covers Intel LGA1700 and LGA1200 as well as AMD AM4.
On fan size it ties with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and the Freezer 36 at 120mm. Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Its price falls between the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the Dark Rock Pro 5, based on our last check.
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 single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots
- A slim single tower that keeps RAM slots clear
Cons
- No published heat pipe count
- Fan size trails the NH-D15 G2 (140mm)
- Costs more than the Freezer 36 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed heat pipe count should compare it with the NH-D15 G2, which offers 8.
How We Chose These CPU Air 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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared six coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and warranty, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 6 picks leave out heat pipe count.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE to the NH-U12S redux, state fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NH-U12S redux gives no heat pipe count; the Dark Rock Pro 5 gives no fan size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Freezer 36 (under $50) to the NH-D15 G2 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPU Air Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much heat pipe count you need
Across these 5 picks heat pipe count spans 4 (the Freezer 36) to 8 (the NH-D15 G2). For less, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE is the runner-up at 7 (under $50 tier). The NH-U12S redux gives no heat pipe count figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
Fan size across these picks
Here fan size runs from 120mm on the NH-U12S redux to 140mm on the NH-D15 G2, a 17% spread. Start with the NH-D15 G2 if fan size decides it. The Dark Rock Pro 5 gives no fan size figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Height across these picks
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE tops height at 154mm and the NH-U12S redux sits lowest at 158mm. Start with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE if height decides it. The NH-D15 G2, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, the Dark Rock Pro 5 and the Freezer 36 give no height figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Dark Rock Pro 5: Silent Wings PWM fans. The Freezer 36: a contact frame for LGA1851 and LGA1700. The NH-U12S redux: a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Freezer 36, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and the Phantom Spirit 120 SE; $50 to $100 buys the NH-U12S redux and the Dark Rock Pro 5; $150 to $250 buys the NH-D15 G2 at our last check.
How to Choose a CPU Air Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming builds with a mid-range to high-end CPU | Phantom Spirit 120 SE | Seven heat pipes and two fans at a budget price |
| Hot CPUs in quiet builds with a roomy case | NH-D15 G2 | Eight heat pipes and two 140mm fans |
| Budget builds that still want two fans | Peerless Assassin 120 SE | A dual-tower design at an entry-level price |
| Builds with tall RAM or a narrow case | NH-U12S redux | A slim single tower that keeps RAM slots clear |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NH-D15 G2 leads on heat pipe count at 8, ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 7. "Not listed" marks heat pipe count where the NH-U12S redux leaves the figure out.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | Not listed |
| NH-D15 G2 | 8 | 140mm | Not listed | 6-year |
| Peerless Assassin 120 SE | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed |
| Dark Rock Pro 5 | 7 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Freezer 36 | 4 | 120mm | Not listed | 6-year |
| NH-U12S redux | Not listed | 120mm | 158mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Freezer 36, sat in the under $50 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the NH-D15 G2 at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Freezer 36, Peerless Assassin 120 SE, Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
| About $50 to $100 | NH-U12S redux, Dark Rock Pro 5 |
| About $150 to $250 | NH-D15 G2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest heat pipe count: the NH-D15 G2 or the Phantom Spirit 120 SE?
The NH-D15 G2 tops heat pipe count at 8; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE follows at 7, 14% apart. The Freezer 36 closes the ranking at 4. The NH-U12S redux doesn't state a heat pipe count figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.
How does the Phantom Spirit 120 SE compare with the NH-D15 G2 on fan size?
Between the top two, it is 140mm on the NH-D15 G2 against 120mm on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, a 17% difference. No fan size figure is published for the Dark Rock Pro 5, which leaves 5 of 6 picks ranked here.
Is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE ahead of the NH-U12S redux on height?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes out best at 154mm, with the NH-U12S redux at 158mm. The NH-D15 G2, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, the Dark Rock Pro 5 and the Freezer 36 are left out of this ranking because their height isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the NH-D15 G2 worth paying more than the Freezer 36?
The spec sheets show heat pipe count (8 against 4) and fan size (140mm against 120mm) in its favour. The Freezer 36 sat in the under $50 tier and the NH-D15 G2 in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if heat pipe count and fan size decide your purchase.
What makes the NH-D15 G2 the Best Premium Air Cooler?
It carries the badge for eight heat pipes and two 140mm fans. The Freezer 36, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at hot CPUs in quiet builds with a roomy case.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the NH-D15 G2 apart?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a dual-tower heatsink. The NH-D15 G2: an offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE: a dual-tower heatsink.
Bottom Line
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE is the best value for most builds, and the Noctua NH-D15 G2 is the premium choice for hot CPUs. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is the budget dual tower.
The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 prioritises silence, the Arctic Freezer 36 suits Intel builds, and the Noctua NH-U12S redux fits narrow cases.
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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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