Buying Guide
The Best Dual-Tower CPU Coolers
Five air coolers ranked on heat pipe count and fan size; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Two fin stacks give a dual-tower cooler the surface area to handle hot CPUs near liquid-cooler level. Every pick is a dual-tower design, 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 heat pipes, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
Noctua NH-D15 G2An offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot.
Best for: Buyers who want offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot.
Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Noctua NH-D15 G2 chromax.blackThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15.
Best for: Buyers who want an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 and can spend more than the NH-D15 G2 costs.
Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SEUndercutting the NH-D15S chromax.black on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NH-D15S chromax.black.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.blackAn all-black dual-tower design.
Best for: Buyers who want all-black dual-tower design.
Check price for Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Noctua NH-D15S chromax.blackAn asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance.
Best for: Buyers who want asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance.
Check price for Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot. | Buyers who want offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot. | Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15. | Buyers who want an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 and can spend more than the NH-D15 G2 costs. | Check price for Noctua NH-D15 G2 chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the NH-D15S chromax.black on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NH-D15S chromax.black. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An all-black dual-tower design. | Buyers who want all-black dual-tower design. | Check price for Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance. | Buyers who want asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance. | Check price for Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
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
- Buyers who want offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE 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. It matches the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black on heat pipe count (8).
It also offers 59mm RAM clearance with one fan fitted and NT-H2 paste in the box. When we checked, only the NH-D15 chromax.black and cheaper picks cost less, and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black cost more. If you want a confirmed height, look to the Phantom Spirit 120 SE instead: it comes in at 154mm, while this one gives no figure.
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 Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Noctua NH-D15 G2 chromax.black
The NH-D15 G2 chromax.black is Noctua's second-generation flagship in black, with eight heat pipes and two NF-A14x25r G2 fans.
Best for
- Buyers who want an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 and can spend more than the NH-D15 G2 costs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its offset design clears the top PCIe slot and leaves 59mm for RAM. On heat pipe count it ties with the NH-D15 G2 at 8. You also get this: 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow.
You also get this: mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the NH-D15 G2. Buyers who need a confirmed height should compare it with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, which comes in at 154mm.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 8
- Fan size
- 140mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 8 heat pipes
- 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
Cons
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
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 would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NH-D15S chromax.black.
Skip if
- Skip it if fan size matters most to you; the NH-D15 G2 offers 140mm.
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 ranks third of 4 here, behind the NH-D15 G2 (8) and ahead of the NH-D15 chromax.black (6).
Its 120mm fan size is the smallest in this group; the NH-D15 G2 leads at 140mm. Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the NH-D15S chromax.black the next step up.
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
- Fan size trails the NH-D15 G2 (140mm)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
The chromax.black NH-D15 is Noctua's classic dual-tower cooler in an all-black finish, with two NF-A15 140mm PWM fans.
Best for
- Buyers who want all-black dual-tower design.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the NH-D15 G2 offers 8.
Why we like it
It cools on par with many AIOs and includes NT-H1 paste and the SecuFirm2 mount. Noctua backs it with a six-year warranty. Its SecuFirm2 mount installs on Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 as well as AMD AM5 and AM4.
Low-Noise Adaptors cut fan speed further for a near-silent idle. Its 6 heat pipe count is the lowest in this group; the NH-D15 G2 leads at 8. Another plus: 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow.
The nearest alternative on fan size is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 120mm, against 140mm here. When we checked, only the NH-D15S chromax.black and cheaper picks cost less, and the NH-D15 G2 cost more.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 140mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- All-black dual-tower design
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the NH-D15 G2 (8)
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
The catch
Heat pipe count is its weakest area, and the NH-D15 G2 covers it better at 8.
Worth a Look5 of 5
Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black
The NH-D15S keeps the dual-tower heatsink but drops to one 140mm fan, which buys 65mm of RAM clearance and a clear top PCIe slot.
Best for
- Buyers who want asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its heat pipe count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
At 160mm tall it fits most tower cases. It matches the NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the NH-D15 chromax.black on fan size (140mm). It also offers an all-black finish.
Check that your case offers at least 160mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. You also get this: 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow. Worth noting: mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851.
When we checked, only the Phantom Spirit 120 SE cost less, and the NH-D15 chromax.black cost more. If you want a confirmed heat pipe count, look to the NH-D15 G2 instead: it offers 8, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 140mm
- Height
- 160mm
- Fans included
- 1
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance
- Single NF-A15 140mm PWM fan
Cons
- No published heat pipe count
- Costs more than the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Dual-Tower 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 lined up five coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out heat pipe count.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the NH-D15 G2 to the NH-D15S chromax.black, state fan size, fans included and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NH-D15S chromax.black gives no heat pipe count; the NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the NH-D15 chromax.black give no height.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (under $50) to the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much fan size you need
The NH-D15 G2 tops fan size at 140mm and the Phantom Spirit 120 SE sits lowest at 120mm; 4 picks share the top figure. Start with the NH-D15 G2 if fan size decides it.
Heat pipe count
Here heat pipe count runs from 6 on the NH-D15 chromax.black to 8 on the NH-D15 G2, a 33% spread. If heat pipe count is your first filter, the NH-D15 G2 sets the ceiling at 8. The NH-D15S chromax.black gives no heat pipe count figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk Height
Across these 2 picks height spans 160mm (the NH-D15S chromax.black) to 154mm (the Phantom Spirit 120 SE). If height is your first filter, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE sets the ceiling at 154mm. The NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the NH-D15 chromax.black give no height figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a rating of 105W to 280W. The NH-D15 chromax.black: two NF-A15 140mm PWM fans with Low-Noise Adaptors. The NH-D15S chromax.black: a single NF-A15 140mm PWM fan.
A PC case with red-lit glass panels next to a monitor How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Phantom Spirit 120 SE; $100 to $150 buys the NH-D15S chromax.black and the NH-D15 chromax.black; $150 to $250 buys the NH-D15 G2 and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black at our last check.
How to Choose a Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot | NH-D15 G2 | An offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot |
| Buyers who want an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 and can spend more than the NH-D15 G2 costs | NH-D15 G2 chromax.black | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NH-D15S chromax.black | Phantom Spirit 120 SE | Undercutting the NH-D15S chromax.black on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want all-black dual-tower design | NH-D15 chromax.black | An all-black dual-tower design |
| Buyers who want asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance | NH-D15S chromax.black | An asymmetrical dual-tower heatsink with 65mm RAM clearance |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NH-D15 G2 leads on fan size at 140mm, ahead of the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black at 140mm. "Not listed" marks heat pipe count where the NH-D15S chromax.black leaves the figure out.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH-D15 G2 | 8 | 140mm | Not listed | 2 |
| NH-D15 G2 chromax.black | 8 | 140mm | Not listed | 2 |
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | 2 |
| NH-D15 chromax.black | 6 | 140mm | Not listed | 2 |
| NH-D15S chromax.black | Not listed | 140mm | 160mm | 1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Phantom Spirit 120 SE |
| About $100 to $150 | NH-D15S chromax.black, NH-D15 chromax.black |
| About $150 to $250 | NH-D15 G2, NH-D15 G2 chromax.black |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the lowest height: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE or the NH-D15S chromax.black?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE is lowest on height at 154mm; the NH-D15S chromax.black follows at 160mm, 4% apart. The NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the NH-D15 chromax.black don't state a height figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black add over the Phantom Spirit 120 SE?
The spec sheets show fan size (140mm against 120mm) and heat pipe count (8 against 7) in its favour. On our last price check the Phantom Spirit 120 SE was in the under $50 tier and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if fan size and heat pipe count decide your purchase.
Why is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for undercutting the NH-D15S chromax.black on price when we checked. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NH-D15S chromax.black.
What extras do the NH-D15 G2 and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black include?
The NH-D15 G2: an offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot. The NH-D15 G2 chromax.black: an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15. The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a dual-tower heatsink.
Who should choose the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black?
The NH-D15 G2 chromax.black carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 and can spend more than the NH-D15 G2 costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NH-D15 G2, chosen for an offset design whose recessed lower fins clear the top PCIe slot. Look at the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE for undercutting the NH-D15S chromax.black on price when we checked and the NH-D15 chromax.black for an all-black dual-tower design if those matter more to you.
Measure RAM height and case clearance; dual towers are wide and tall.
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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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