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- Best overall: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler
- Best budget: Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler
- Best premium: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler
- Best for RGB case airflow: Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack
- The Corsair LL120 is a case fan with dual-loop RGB lighting; the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 is a tower-style CPU cooler.
- Choose the Corsair LL120 for colorful case airflow and the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 for direct CPU cooling.
- Check case clearance, motherboard support and included fan count before choosing a cooler or case fan.
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE and Phantom Spirit 120 SE are larger dual-tower options for stronger air cooling.
The Corsair LL120 and Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 do different jobs: the Corsair LL120 is a 120mm case fan, while the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 is a CPU air cooler. For Black Friday 2026, that distinction matters more than a simple spec-sheet comparison. We researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to identify which product fits each kind of build.
My pick for most people depends on the upgrade: choose the Corsair LL120 for a visible RGB refresh, or the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 for an affordable tower cooler. This guide also compares five alternatives, with clear notes on airflow, cooling role and fit. Use the product cards and comparison table to narrow the choice before checking your case and motherboard compatibility.
How We Picked
- Compared product category and intended job, separating case fans from CPU coolers.
- Checked published dimensions, fan speeds, airflow, heat-pipe counts and lighting features.
- Reviewed owner feedback for recurring fit, noise, installation and value considerations.
- Selected alternatives across RGB fans, basic airflow fans and single- or dual-tower CPU coolers.
- Prioritized clear compatibility checks, including cooler height and the number of fans included.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Cooling role | Fan speed | Airflow or cooling hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack | Dual-loop RGB case airflow | Case fan | 600–1,500 RPM | 43.25 CFM |
| Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler | Simple black CPU cooling | CPU air cooler | Up to 1,500 RPM | 4 × 6mm heat pipes |
| Corsair AF120 RGB Elite 120mm PWM Fan | Higher-airflow RGB case fan | Case fan | 550–2,100 RPM | 65.57 CFM |
| Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan | No-frills case airflow | Case fan | 450–1,700 RPM | 70.75 CFM |
| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler | Value-oriented dual-tower cooling | Dual-tower CPU cooler | Up to 1,550 RPM | 6 heat pipes, 2 fans |
| Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler | Dual-tower air cooling | Dual-tower CPU cooler | Up to 1,500 RPM | 7 heat pipes, 2 fans |
| Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler | Shorter single-tower cooler | Single-tower CPU cooler | Up to 1,550 RPM | 4 heat pipes, 148mm tall |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack
The Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack is the best RGB case fan for builders who want two lighting loops, with 16 individually addressable LEDs.
Best for: Showcase builds that need one vivid RGB case fan
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Fan speed
- 600–1,500 RPM
- Airflow
- 43.25 CFM
- Lighting
- 16 LEDs, two loops
- Distinctive dual-loop RGB appearance
- PWM speed control
- Common 120mm mounting size
- Does not cool a CPU directly
- RGB control setup adds software considerations
Is the Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack is worth considering for a showcase PC that needs one 120mm RGB case fan. The Corsair LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan Single Pack's dual lighting loops stand out, but a CPU cooler is the right purchase for processor temperatures.
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#2
Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler
The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler is the best budget-style tower cooler for builders seeking simple CPU cooling, with four 6mm heat pipes.
Best for: A straightforward CPU cooler with a black finish
- Cooling role
- CPU air cooler
- Cooler height
- 154mm
- Heat pipes
- 4 × 6mm
- Fan speed
- Up to 1,500 RPM
- Directly cools the CPU
- Black finish suits understated builds
- Single-tower layout is simpler than dual-tower designs
- No built-in RGB lighting
- Requires checking socket and case clearance
Is the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler is a sensible choice for a compatible build that needs a conventional tower cooler. The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 CPU Air Cooler's 154mm height is easier to accommodate than many larger designs, but verify socket support and case clearance first.
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#3
Corsair AF120 RGB Elite 120mm PWM Fan
The Corsair AF120 RGB Elite 120mm PWM Fan is the best higher-airflow RGB fan for builders who want lighting and stronger airflow, rated up to 65.57 CFM.
Best for: RGB builds that prioritize airflow
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Fan speed
- 550–2,100 RPM
- Airflow
- Up to 65.57 CFM
- Noise
- Up to 34.1 dBA
- Higher stated airflow than the LL120
- RGB lighting and PWM control
- Suitable for case airflow duties
- Does not replace a CPU cooler
- High maximum speed can bring more fan noise
Is the Corsair AF120 RGB Elite 120mm PWM Fan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Corsair AF120 RGB Elite 120mm PWM Fan is a good fit for RGB case builds that need a higher-airflow fan. The Corsair AF120 RGB Elite 120mm PWM Fan's 2,100 RPM ceiling and 65.57 CFM rating suit airflow-focused use, while its role remains separate from processor cooling.
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#4
Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan
The Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan is the best no-frills airflow fan for builders who value a neutral look, with a maximum speed of 1,700 RPM.
Best for: Quiet-looking builds and practical case airflow
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Fan speed
- 450–1,700 RPM
- Airflow
- 70.75 CFM
- Static pressure
- 2.83 mm H₂O
- No RGB software or lighting to manage
- High stated airflow
- PWM speed control
- Plain appearance is not for every build
- A case fan cannot replace a CPU cooler
Is the Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan is worth considering for a build focused on straightforward airflow rather than RGB. The Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan's 70.75 CFM specification is strong on paper, and its standard 120mm format suits many case mounts.
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#5
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler is the best value-oriented dual-tower option for demanding air-cooling builds, with six heat pipes and two 120mm fans.
Best for: Dual-tower cooling at a value-focused level
- Cooling role
- Dual-tower CPU air cooler
- Cooler height
- 155mm
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Included fans
- 2 × 120mm
- Two towers and two fans
- Six heat pipes
- Strong alternative to a single-tower cooler
- Large footprint needs clearance checks
- Memory access and installation need planning
Is the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler is a strong choice for compatible systems that need more cooling surface than a single-tower design. The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler's 155mm height and two included fans make case clearance and memory spacing important checks.
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#6 · Top pick
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler is the best upgraded dual-tower pick for builders who want extensive air-cooling hardware, with seven heat pipes and two 120mm fans.
Best for: High-capacity air cooling in a roomy case
- Cooling role
- Dual-tower CPU air cooler
- Cooler height
- 154mm
- Heat pipes
- 7
- Included fans
- 2 × 120mm
- Seven heat pipes
- Two included fans
- Shorter stated height than some dual-tower rivals
- Bulky heatsink needs fit checks
- More involved installation than a case fan
Is the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler is a compelling air-cooling option for a case that accommodates a dual-tower heatsink. Seven heat pipes and two fans make it a more substantial choice than the Assassin Spirit 120.
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#7
Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler
The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler is the best compact-minded single-tower alternative for builders seeking a simple CPU upgrade, with four heat pipes and a 148mm height.
Best for: Single-tower cooling with a lower profile
- Cooling role
- Single-tower CPU air cooler
- Cooler height
- 148mm
- Heat pipes
- 4
- Fan speed
- Up to 1,550 RPM
- Shorter listed height than many tower coolers
- Four heat pipes
- Straightforward single-tower layout
- No dual-tower cooling surface
- Check socket compatibility before ordering
Is the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler is a good match for a build that needs a basic tower cooler with a 148mm height. Confirm case and socket compatibility, then compare its single-tower design with larger Thermalright options.
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Are the Corsair LL120 and Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 competitors?
The Corsair LL120 is a case fan, while the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 is a CPU cooler, so the two products solve different problems. A fan moves air through the case; a tower cooler transfers heat from the processor to its heatsink and fan.
Choose the Corsair LL120 when the goal is RGB case airflow or a coordinated lighting look. Choose the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 when the goal is to replace or upgrade the CPU cooler. A build can use both: the cooler handles processor heat and case fans carry warm air out of the chassis.
Skip it if the product category does not match the upgrade. Adding a case fan does not substitute for a CPU cooler, and buying a tower cooler does not provide the LL120’s dual-loop lighting.
Which product is better for a Black Friday 2026 PC upgrade?
The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 is the right pick for a CPU-cooling upgrade, while the Corsair LL120 is the right pick for an RGB case-fan upgrade. The choice depends on the component that needs attention, not a direct performance contest between unrelated hardware.
For a single case-fan replacement, compare the LL120 with the Corsair AF120 RGB Elite and Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM. The LL120 favors lighting, the AF120 RGB Elite combines RGB with a higher airflow rating, and the Noctua offers a plain appearance with a high stated airflow figure.
For CPU cooling, compare the Assassin Spirit 120 with the Assassin X 120 Refined SE and the dual-tower Peerless Assassin 120 SE or Phantom Spirit 120 SE. Check your CPU socket, case height limit and memory layout before picking a larger heatsink.
What is the difference between an RGB case fan and a CPU cooler?
The Corsair LL120 moves case air and adds lighting, whereas the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 attaches to the CPU area to remove processor heat. Both use a 120mm fan, but that shared fan size does not make their main functions interchangeable.
A case fan mounts to a chassis fan position and connects to a fan header or controller. A CPU cooler mounts over the processor using socket-specific hardware. Before buying, check the available motherboard headers and whether the case has the right mounting positions.
The Corsair LL120’s dual light loops make it an appearance-focused option. The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 instead uses a heatsink and heat pipes for CPU cooling. Product titles, photos and included accessories help confirm whether a listing is for a fan, a cooler or a multi-pack.
How do the Thermalright tower coolers compare?
The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 and Assassin X 120 Refined SE are single-tower CPU coolers, while the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and Phantom Spirit 120 SE use dual towers. The dual-tower models include two 120mm fans and provide a larger heatsink design.
The Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 has a 154mm listed height; the Assassin X 120 Refined SE is listed at 148mm. Those figures make case clearance a useful first filter. The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is 155mm tall, and the Phantom Spirit 120 SE is 154mm tall.
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE adds seven heat pipes, compared with six in the Peerless Assassin 120 SE. That hardware distinction helps explain the product positioning, but compatibility and fit remain essential. Measure available cooler height and account for memory or motherboard components before choosing.
What should shoppers check before choosing a 120mm fan?
The Corsair LL120, Corsair AF120 RGB Elite and Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM are 120mm fans, but their lighting, speed ranges and airflow ratings differ. Check the exact case mounting location and whether the build needs airflow, a particular appearance or both.
Confirm that the motherboard or controller supports the fan’s power and lighting connections. RGB products can use different control arrangements, and lighting support is separate from the fan’s power connection. Check the listing contents too: a single-pack fan is not the same purchase as a multi-fan kit.
Fan speed and airflow specifications are useful for comparing products, not guarantees of identical sound or cooling in every case. Case layout, filters, radiator placement and fan curves all affect results. Select a model that fits the build’s role and offers the controls the system supports.
Buying Guide
Start with the component you need to cool
Buy a case fan for case airflow and a CPU cooler for processor cooling. The Corsair LL120 and Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 are not interchangeable, even though both include a 120mm fan.
Check case and socket compatibility
For a tower cooler, confirm CPU socket support and maximum cooler height. For a case fan, verify the available 120mm mounting position and connector support.
Choose RGB only when the build supports it
The Corsair LL120 has two RGB light loops and 16 LEDs. Confirm the required controller or motherboard connection before selecting an RGB model.
Compare single- and dual-tower cooler layouts
The Assassin Spirit 120 uses a single tower; the Peerless Assassin 120 SE and Phantom Spirit 120 SE use dual towers and two fans. Larger designs need more room around memory and the case side panel.
Read the included-item details
Check whether the listing includes one fan, multiple fans, mounting hardware or a controller. Exact package contents matter when planning a replacement or a full PC build.
FAQ
Is the Corsair LL120 better than the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120?
The Corsair LL120 is better for RGB case airflow, while the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 is better for CPU cooling. They serve different roles, so choose by the component you need to upgrade rather than comparing them as direct alternatives.
Can the Corsair LL120 cool a CPU?
The Corsair LL120 is a case fan, not a CPU cooler. The 120mm fan moves air through a compatible case mount, while a CPU cooler such as the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 uses a heatsink and socket mounting hardware to cool the processor.
Is the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 a good Black Friday 2026 CPU cooler?
The Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 Black V2 is a practical single-tower option for a compatible system. Its four 6mm heat pipes and 154mm height make it straightforward to compare with larger dual-tower coolers, subject to socket and case clearance.
Which is better for RGB, Corsair LL120 or AF120 RGB Elite?
The Corsair LL120 emphasizes two distinctive lighting loops and 16 LEDs. The Corsair AF120 RGB Elite combines RGB with a higher stated airflow rating of 65.57 CFM, making it the stronger fit when airflow matters alongside lighting.
Should I choose Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE or Phantom Spirit 120 SE?
The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE has seven heat pipes, while the Peerless Assassin 120 SE has six. Both are dual-tower coolers with two 120mm fans, so check case height, memory clearance and socket support before choosing.