Buying Guide
The Best Tower Air Coolers for Gaming
From the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White to the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black: five air coolers ranked on heat pipe count and fan size, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Tower coolers remain the simplest strong cooling for gaming PCs. Every pick is a full-height tower, ordered by heat pipe count.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: heat pipes, fan size and height come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing height is flagged, not filled in.
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)
Strong Alternative
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVOA magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Best for: Buyers who want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Noctua NH-U12ATwo NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower.
Best for: Buyers who want two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower.
Check price for Noctua NH-U12A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB WhiteUndercutting the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White 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) |
| A magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature. | Buyers who want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower. | Buyers who want two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower. | Check price for Noctua NH-U12A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on price when we checked. | Keeping the cost under $50. | Check price for Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, 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 ties with the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black at 8.
You also get 59mm RAM clearance with one fan fitted and NT-H2 paste in the box. Its price falls between the NH-U12A and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed height should compare it with the NH-U12A, which comes in at 158mm.
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 Peerless Assassin 120 SE White 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its offset design clears the top PCIe slot and leaves 59mm for RAM. It matches the NH-D15 G2 on heat pipe count (8). It matches the NH-D15 G2 on fan size (140mm).
Worth noting: 140mm fans that can spin slower for the same airflow. You also get this: mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. The nearest alternative on heat pipe count is the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO at 7, against 8 here.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the NH-D15 G2 the nearest cheaper option.
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 Peerless Assassin 120 SE White at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed height, look to the NH-U12A instead: it comes in at 158mm, while this one gives no figure.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO adds a magnetic display panel that shows CPU temperature to the Phantom Spirit's seven-pipe design.
Best for
- Buyers who want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
At 160mm tall it fits mainstream ATX cases, and its fans spin to 2,150 RPM. It ships with mounting kits for AM4/AM5 and Intel sockets from LGA1150 to LGA1851. Thin ARGB lines frame the fans.
The magnetic ARGB top panel displays CPU temperature and load, and the fan runs up to 2150RPM. It matches the NH-U12A on heat pipe count (7). It matches the NH-U12A and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White on fan size (120mm).
It also offers TRCC control software. Check that your case offers at least 160mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. When we checked, only the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White cost less, and the NH-U12A cost more. If you want a confirmed warranty, look to the NH-D15 G2 instead: it offers 6-year, while this one gives no figure.
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
- Magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature
Cons
- Costs more than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Noctua NH-U12A
The NH-U12A packs seven heat pipes and two NF-A12x25 fans into a 120mm single tower that clears RAM and PCIe slots.
Best for
- Buyers who want two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It includes NT-H1 paste and a six-year warranty, and Low-Noise Adaptors keep the fans near silent at idle. It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on heat pipe count (7). It also offers full RAM and PCIe clearance.
Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. You also get this: lowest height of the picks (158mm). Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White at the time of writing. When we checked, only the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO and cheaper picks cost less, and the NH-D15 G2 cost more.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 7
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 158mm
- Warranty
- 6-year
- Fans included
- 2
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- 6-year warranty
- Two fans included
- Two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower
Cons
- Costs more than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB White
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White is built around a white heatsink with white ARGB fans, with a 25.6dB(A) noise rating on top.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the NH-D15 G2 offers 8.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 6 heat pipe count and offers a 120mm fan size. At 155mm tall it fits most mid-towers, and its two TL-C12C-S ARGB fans add lighting. The white heatsink and fans suit an all-white build.
Mounting hardware covers Intel LGA115x to LGA1700 and AMD AM4/AM5. Its 6 heat pipe count is the lowest in this group; the NH-D15 G2 leads at 8. It matches the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO and the NH-U12A on fan size (120mm).
The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO was closest.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Two fans included
- White heatsink with white ARGB fans
- 25.6dB(A) noise rating
- Undercutting the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on price when we checked
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the NH-D15 G2 (8)
- Fan size trails the NH-D15 G2 (140mm)
The catch
Heat pipe count is its weakest area, and the NH-D15 G2 covers it better at 8.
How We Chose These Tower Air Coolers for Gaming
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 warranty from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and height and warranty are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the NH-D15 G2 to the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, state heat pipe count, fan size and fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White give no height; the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black, the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White give no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White (under $50) to the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Tower Air Cooler for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Heat pipe count across these picks
Here heat pipe count runs from 6 on the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White 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.
Fan size
The NH-D15 G2 tops fan size at 140mm and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White sits lowest at 120mm; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the NH-D15 G2 if fan size decides it.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans How much height you need
The NH-U12A tops height at 158mm and the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO sits lowest at 160mm. The NH-U12A is the pick for height. The NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White give no height figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO: TRCC control software. The NH-U12A: full RAM and PCIe clearance. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White: a 25.6dB(A) noise rating.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Budget
Under $50 buys the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White; $50 to $100 buys the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO; $100 to $150 buys the NH-U12A; $150 to $250 buys the NH-D15 G2 and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black at our last check.
How to Choose a Tower Air Cooler for Gaming
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 want magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO | A magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature |
| Buyers who want two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower | NH-U12A | Two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower |
| Keeping the cost under $50 | Peerless Assassin 120 SE White | Undercutting the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on price when we checked |
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 NH-D15 G2 chromax.black at 8. "Not listed" marks height where the NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White leave the figure out.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH-D15 G2 | 8 | 140mm | Not listed | 6-year |
| NH-D15 G2 chromax.black | 8 | 140mm | Not listed | Not listed |
| Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO | 7 | 120mm | 160mm | Not listed |
| NH-U12A | 7 | 120mm | 158mm | 6-year |
| Peerless Assassin 120 SE White | 6 | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, sat in the under $50 tier, 4 tiers in all up to the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Peerless Assassin 120 SE White |
| About $50 to $100 | Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO |
| About $100 to $150 | NH-U12A |
| About $150 to $250 | NH-D15 G2, NH-D15 G2 chromax.black |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NH-U12A ahead of the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on height?
The NH-U12A is lowest on height at 158mm; the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO follows at 160mm, 1% apart. The NH-D15 G2, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black and the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White don't state a height figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black worth paying more than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White?
What it brings is heat pipe count (8 against 6) and fan size (140mm against 120mm). The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White sat in the under $50 tier and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if heat pipe count and fan size decide your purchase.
What makes the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black the Premium Pick?
The label rests on the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White, 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 anyone who wants an all-black finish on Noctua's second-generation NH-D15 and can spend more than the NH-D15 G2 costs.
Beyond the specs, what sets the NH-D15 G2 and the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black apart?
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 Digital EVO: a magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature.
Who should choose the Peerless Assassin 120 SE White?
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE White carries our Lowest Price Here label for undercutting the Phantom Spirit 120 Digital EVO on price when we checked. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits keeping the cost under $50.
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 Digital EVO for a magnetic ARGB display panel that shows CPU temperature and the NH-U12A for two NF-A12x25 fans on a single tower if those matter more to you.
Check case cooler height clearance.
Related Guides
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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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