The Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in two out of three evaluated specifications. Its most significant advantage is a superior TDP rating, which outperforms the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE by 52 percent. This technical lead establishes the liquid cooler as the more capable option for managing high thermal output, providing a clear performance edge for users prioritizing maximum cooling capacity in their system builds.

Users should choose the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 A-RGB if they require the highest possible TDP rating for demanding thermal loads. Conversely, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE is the ideal selection for budget-conscious builders, as it offers a 73 percent advantage in MSRP. Selecting between these two components depends on whether the user prioritizes the raw thermal management capabilities of the liquid cooler or the significant cost efficiency provided by the air cooler.