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Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120: Comparison
What is the difference between Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120?
Start with fan count, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero 3 against Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 1, 67% in favour of Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero. There is a split on cooler type as well, AIO Liquid on the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero versus Air, Dual-Tower on the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120. They differ on socket compatibility too, Intel LGA1200 on the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero versus AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011 on the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120: which one fits your build
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero is the one to take for extreme overclocking on unlocked flagship CPUs and enthusiasts chasing sub-ambient temperatures, though it is the wrong buy for typical mainstream or locked-CPU builds and users who don't want extra proprietary control software. Take the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 for extreme budget buyers who want dual-tower thermal capacity for the price of a single-tower cooler. It is equally the pick for buyers willing to add a second fan later for even better cooling. It is the wrong buy for buyers who want two fans pre-installed out of the box, where the Peerless Assassin 140, covered elsewhere on this site, ships complete. Our rating of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero (7.9/10): remarkable thermal ceiling for extreme overclockers, but overkill and software-dependent for typical builds. Our rating of the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 (8.4/10): one of the best-known budget dual-tower coolers, precisely because it strips down to essentials without cutting the heatsink itself.
What Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, fan size included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- Cooler Master
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- Thermalright
Cooler Type
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- AIO Liquid
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- Air, Dual-Tower
Series
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
Model Number
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- MLZ-D36M-A19PK-12
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- Phantom Spirit 120
Socket Compatibility
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- Intel LGA1200
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011
Fan Count
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- 3Best
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- 1-67%
Fan Size
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
- 120 mm
- Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
- 120 mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero if you want the higher fan count (3 vs 1).
Choose Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
Remarkable thermal ceiling for extreme overclockers, but overkill and software-dependent for typical builds.
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120
8.4 / 10 Expert Rating
One of the best-known budget dual-tower coolers, precisely because it strips down to essentials without cutting the heatsink itself.