TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 Infinity Mirror ARGB PWM PC Fans 120mm Black vs TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler

Design and Aesthetics

The TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 Infinity Mirror ARGB PWM PC Fans 120mm Black stands out for its striking aesthetic, featuring an infinite mirror design with three sides and ARGB lighting effects that create a 3D visual experience. In contrast, the TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler opts for a more functional and subdued appearance, with an anodised black frosted top and finely carved pure copper base, focusing on performance rather than visual flair.

The TZMRIT fan’s infinite mirror effect enhances the visual appeal of a PC build, making it ideal for users prioritising style. Meanwhile, the TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE’s design utilises both aluminium fins and copper base materials to maximise heat dissipation rather than lighting effects. While the TZMRIT offers a unique light show, the TR-Phantom Spirit’s build quality and finish are tailored more towards thermal efficiency and durability.

Cooling Performance

When it comes to cooling power, the TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler clearly leads with a CPU cooler TDP range from 105W to 280W, supported by its AGHP 7x6mm heatpipes and a large aluminium fin array. This setup is designed for serious heat dissipation, suitable for demanding CPUs. The fan on the TR-Phantom Spirit reaches speeds of up to 1500 RPM producing a maximum airflow of 66.17 CFM.

On the other hand, the TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 fan focuses on airflow with its biomimetic fan blades delivering up to 68 CFM around the infinite mirror. However, it is a standalone fan, not a full CPU cooler, and is primarily intended to optimise case airflow and aesthetics rather than direct CPU cooling. The TR-Phantom Spirit’s comprehensive cooling solution offers more direct and powerful heat management for CPUs.

Noise and Bearing Technology

Both products incorporate advanced bearings aimed at longevity and noise reduction, but with different approaches. The TZMRIT fan uses hydraulic bearings designed to reduce wear and noise while extending service life. It also features shock-resistant silicone pads on both sides to reduce resonance noise when mounted.

The TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE employs S-FDB (fluid dynamic) bearings, which are industrial grade and ensure long operational life, with noise levels capped at 25.6 dB(A) during operation. This noise level is relatively low for a CPU cooler fan running at 1500 RPM. Overall, both products prioritise quiet operation, but the TR-Phantom Spirit’s noise rating is explicitly quantified, while the TZMRIT relies on design features to minimise noise implicitly.

Installation and Compatibility

Installation ease and compatibility are critical for cooling products. The TZMRIT fan features a daisy chain design with a sliding pin-to-pin locking mechanism, allowing multiple fans to connect quickly and flexibly, simplifying the installation process, especially for custom PC builds with multiple fans.

In comparison, the TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE is compatible with a wide range of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA1700/1150/1151/1155/1156/1200 and AMD AM4/AM5. It comes with mounting plates or fasteners for different platforms, supported by installation instructions or tutorials. While the TZMRIT focuses on fan-to-fan connectivity, the TR-Phantom Spirit emphasises broad CPU socket compatibility and includes the necessary accessories for proper installation.

Build Quality and Materials

The TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler utilises high-quality materials such as aluminium fins and a pure copper base, which are anodised and finely carved, enhancing both durability and thermal conductivity. It also employs UL class A safety insulation with industrial-strength PBT + PC materials to ensure product safety and longevity.

In contrast, the TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 fan’s build quality is highlighted by hydraulic bearings and magnetic suction technology to stabilise operation. It also uses silicone mats to reduce noise resonance. While the TZMRIT focuses on functional materials to improve performance and noise reduction, the TR-Phantom Spirit emphasises premium heat dissipation materials and industrial-grade safety standards.

Dimensions and Physical Specifications

The TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE has clearly stated dimensions of 125mm length, 135mm width, and 154mm height, making it compatible with a wide range of chassis models. At 154mm tall, it fits within many standard PC cases while providing substantial cooling capacity.

The TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 fan is a 120mm fan but does not specify exact dimensions beyond that. It is designed primarily as a PC fan rather than a full air cooler, which generally makes it smaller and more flexible for installation in various locations within the PC case. The TR-Phantom Spirit’s specific size is important for users to verify case compatibility, while TZMRIT offers more general flexibility in fan placement.

Price and Value

The TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 Infinity Mirror ARGB PWM PC Fans are priced at £19.99, making them an affordable choice for users looking to enhance their PC’s airflow and lighting effects without a significant investment. Given that these are standalone fans, the price reflects good value for aesthetic and functional airflow improvements.

The TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE CPU Air Cooler is priced higher at £29.09, reflecting its role as a complete cooling solution with heatpipes, a substantial heatsink, and a dedicated fan. For users seeking effective CPU temperature management in addition to airflow, the higher price offers correspondingly greater cooling performance and broad CPU compatibility.

Which should you buy?

Your choice depends on your cooling needs and priorities. If you want a visually striking fan that adds ARGB lighting effects and efficient airflow within your PC case, the TZMRIT Interstellar-V2 is an excellent budget-friendly option at £19.99. It is ideal for users who already have a CPU cooler or want to augment case ventilation with attractive lighting.

However, if you need a full CPU air cooling solution capable of handling CPUs with TDPs from 105W up to 280W, the TR-Phantom Spirit 120 SE at £29.09 is the better buy. It combines a high-performance heatpipe system, a large aluminium heatsink with copper base, quiet operation at 25.6 dB(A), and compatibility with a broad range of Intel and AMD sockets. This makes it the superior choice for effective CPU heat management and long-term durability.

In summary, choose the TZMRIT for fan aesthetics and general airflow enhancement, or the TR-Phantom Spirit for comprehensive CPU cooling performance.