The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE is the objective winner of this comparison, securing two out of three spec victories. While the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos holds a significant 30% advantage in TDP rating, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE provides a more compelling value proposition with a 71% advantage in MSRP. These metrics establish the latter as the superior choice for users prioritizing cost-efficiency over the raw thermal dissipation capacity offered by the former.

Users should select the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos if their primary requirement is the higher TDP rating for demanding thermal management. Conversely, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120SE is the ideal component for budget-conscious builders who want to maximize their savings without sacrificing the majority of the measured specifications. Choosing between these two depends entirely on whether your build necessitates the increased thermal headroom or the substantial financial savings provided by the lower MSRP.