Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Corsair A500 vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120: Comparison
Corsair A500 and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 separate most on static pressure: Corsair A500 at 4.2 mmH2O, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 at 1.53 mmH2O, 64% in favour of Corsair A500. Fan Count splits them by another 50%, again favouring Corsair A500. They match on 4 other specifications, including rgb lighting, base material and fan size.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Corsair | Thermalright |
| Cooler Type | Air Tower | Air, Dual-Tower |
| Series | Corsair A500 | Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 |
| Tower Type | Single-Tower | Dual-Tower |
| Model Number | CT-9010003-WW | Phantom Spirit 120 |
| Height | 165 mm-5% | 157 mm |
| Socket Compatibility | AMD AM4, Intel LGA115X/2066/2011-3 | AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011 |
| Fan Count | 2 | 1-50% |
| Noise Level | 37 dBA+11.4 dBA | 25.6 |
| RGB Lighting | No | No |
| Heatpipe Count | 4 | 7 |
| Base Material | Nickel-Plated Copper | Nickel-Plated Copper |
| Fan Size | 120 mm | 120 mm |
| Max Speed | 2400 RPM | 1500 RPM-37% |
| Airflow | 75 CFM | 66.17 CFM-12% |
| Static Pressure | 4.2 mmH2O | 1.53 mmH2O-64% |
| Bearing Type | Magnetic Levitation | Fluid Dynamic |
| PWM Control | Yes | Yes |
| Fans | 2x CORSAIR ML120, 120mm | 1x TL-C12B V2 PWM, 120mm, pre-installed; second fan mount included |
| Source URL | https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/cpu-coolers/ct-9010003-ww/a500-high-performance-dual-fan-cpu-cooler-ct-9010003-ww | https://www.thermalright.com/product/phantom-spirit-120/ |
Verdict
Corsair A500
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely strong flagship-tier air cooler that trades a few degrees against Noctua's best for a lower price and Corsair's ecosystem familiarity.
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.