Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers for Esports PCs
Three air coolers ranked on heat pipe count and fan size, where the Phantom Spirit 120 SE has the highest heat pipe count; the Frozn A620 Pro SE is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Esports games push high frame rates that keep the CPU busy, so steady boost clocks matter. Every pick is a two-fan air cooler that cost $60 or less, ordered by heat pipe count.
We ranked these air coolers on heat pipes, fan size and height using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out sockets named, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SEThe highest heat pipe count here (7).
Best for: Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SEThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE the next step up.
Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB WhiteA magnetic digital display board at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozn A620 Pro SE costs less.
Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest heat pipe count here (7). | Buyers who put heat pipe count first. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE the next step up. | Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A magnetic digital display board at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozn A620 Pro SE costs less. | Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Digital ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 3
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
- Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Frozn A620 Pro SE 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. Its 7 heat pipe count is the highest here; the Frozn A620 Pro SE comes next at 6.
Its 154mm height is the lowest here; the Frozn A620 Pro SE comes next at 157mm. Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It was priced above the Frozn A620 Pro SE and below the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White at the time of writing.
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 Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
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
- Spending as little as possible, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE the next step up.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when heat pipe count of 6, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7) is a problem.
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 at 6.
On height it sits mid-pack at 157mm: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm, and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White comes in at 162mm. Check that your case offers at least 157mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It undercut the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 157mm
- Fans included
- 2
Pros
- Two fans included
- 260W rating
- 40mm clearance for standard RAM
- Height of 157mm, ahead of the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White
Cons
- Heat pipe count of 6, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7)
The catch
The main gap: heat pipe count of 6, behind the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7). If that matters, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7.
Premium Pick3 of 3
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
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozn A620 Pro SE costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7.
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 at 6. On height it trails the group at 162mm, while the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes in at 154mm.
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.
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 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
- A magnetic digital display board at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7)
- Height trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (154mm)
- Costs more than the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These CPU Coolers for Esports 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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while sockets named has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE to the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White, state heat pipe count, fan size and height.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Frozn A620 Pro SE gives no sockets named.
- Price range
- From the Frozn A620 Pro SE to the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler for Esports PCs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much heat pipe count you need
Across these 3 picks heat pipe count spans 6 (the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White) to 7 (the Phantom Spirit 120 SE). The Phantom Spirit 120 SE is the pick for heat pipe count.
Height
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE tops height at 154mm and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White sits lowest at 162mm. For less, the Frozn A620 Pro SE is the runner-up at 157mm.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Extras that separate them
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a rating of 105W to 280W. The Frozn A620 Pro SE: 40mm clearance for standard RAM. The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White: a 25.6dB(A) noise rating.
Where your budget lands
All 3 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the Frozn A620 Pro SE at the low end to the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White at the top, so decide on features first.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Start from what matters most
Buyers who put heat pipe count first: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE. Spending as little as possible, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE the next step up: the Frozn A620 Pro SE. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozn A620 Pro SE costs less: the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler for Esports PCs
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, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE the next step up | Frozn A620 Pro SE | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Frozn A620 Pro SE costs less | Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White | A magnetic digital display board at the highest price in the group |
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.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | 2 |
| Frozn A620 Pro SE | 6 | 120mm | 157mm | 2 |
| Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White | 6 | 120mm | 162mm | 2 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE on heat pipe count?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads at 7, with the Frozn A620 Pro SE at 6.
How does the Frozn A620 Pro SE compare with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE on height?
Between the top two, it is 154mm on the Phantom Spirit 120 SE against 157mm on the Frozn A620 Pro SE, a 2% difference. The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White is at the other end of this group with 162mm.
What does the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White add over the Frozn A620 Pro SE?
The Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White matches or trails the Frozn A620 Pro SE on heat pipe count and height. The Frozn A620 Pro SE leads on height (157mm). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE our Highest Heat Pipe Count pick?
It carries the badge for the highest heat pipe count here (7). On heat pipe count it leads the Frozn A620 Pro SE, 7 against 6, a 17% margin. It suits anyone who puts heat pipe count 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 Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White: a magnetic digital display board.
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 and the Peerless Assassin 120 Digital White for a magnetic digital display board at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Keep the cooler's fans in the same direction as the case airflow, front to back.
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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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