Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White Review: Specs, Pros and Cons
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This thermalright peerless assassin 120 se review covers the white ARGB version of a dual-tower air cooler. It uses six 6mm heat pipes and two 120mm fans. The design prioritizes airflow with a maximum speed of 1550 RPM. You get 66.17 CFM of air movement at under 25.6 dB. The cooler stands 155 mm tall and fits most modern Intel and AMD sockets. It is built for users who want strong cooling without excessive noise.
What stands out
- Dual-tower design with six pure copper heat pipes
- Two 120mm PWM fans running up to 1550 RPM
- ARGB lighting for visual customization
- AGHP technology to prevent heat pipe sagging
- Compatible with AM5, AM4, LGA 1700, and LGA 1851
Who it fits
Good fit for
This cooler suits builders with mid-tower cases that can accommodate a 155 mm height. It is ideal for users with AM5 or LGA 1700 processors who need reliable dual-tower performance. The low noise floor makes it good for office builds or quiet gaming rigs. If you want ARGB effects and have room for a wide dual-fan setup, this is a solid choice.
Who should skip it
Skip this if your case height limit is under 155 mm. The dual-tower width may interfere with tall RAM sticks, even though it leaves some clearance. Users needing single-tower compactness for small form factor builds should look elsewhere. If you prefer silent operation below 25.6 dB under heavy load, check other options with lower RPM fans.
Verdict: The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE offers strong dual-tower cooling with modern socket support. It is a practical choice for standard ATX builds seeking value and performance.
Key specs explained for this cooler
Fan Size: 120 mm
This cooler uses standard 120mm fans. You can easily find replacement fans if one fails, as this is the most common size for PC cases. Larger fans move more air at lower speeds, which helps keep noise levels down while maintaining cooling efficiency. This size fits most mid-tower and full-tower cases without blocking nearby components or RAM slots.
Heat Pipes: 6
The unit features six 6mm pure copper heat pipes. These pipes transfer heat from the CPU base to the aluminum fins quickly. More pipes generally mean better heat distribution across the tower. This setup helps prevent hot spots on the CPU. When comparing air coolers, look for at least six pipes for solid performance in modern gaming and productivity workloads.
Fan Speed: 1550 RPM
The fans spin at a maximum of 1550 RPM. This speed provides strong airflow, reaching up to 66.17 CFM. Higher RPM means more air moves through the fins, improving cooling. However, it can also increase noise. This speed strikes a balance between performance and acoustics. You get efficient cooling without the loud roar of higher-performance, higher-speed industrial fans.
Tower Design: Dual-Tower
This cooler has two stacked aluminum towers with fans in between. This design doubles the surface area for heat dissipation compared to a single tower. It allows the fans to push air through both sides of the heatsink. This structure is ideal for high-TDP CPUs. It offers better cooling capacity than single-tower designs, making it suitable for demanding processors.
Dual-Tower Build And Materials
According to the listing, this cooler features a dual-tower design constructed primarily from aluminum. The base and heat pipes are made of pure copper, which helps transfer heat away from the CPU efficiently. Six 6mm heat pipes use AGHP technology to manage heat distribution regardless of orientation. This layout allows for better thermal performance compared to single-tower designs. The white finish matches modern white PC builds, while the ARGB lighting adds visual appeal for users who want visible effects.
The dimensions are 125mm in length, 135mm in width, and 155mm in height. You need to check your case clearance, as 155mm is taller than many standard air coolers. The total weight is 1.87 pounds, which is substantial for an air cooler. This weight requires a sturdy motherboard mounting bracket to prevent sagging. The cooler includes metal fasteners for both Intel and AMD platforms, ensuring secure installation on sockets like LGA 1700 and AM5.
Control is handled via a 4-pin PWM connection, allowing your motherboard to adjust fan speed automatically. The included TL-C12CW-S fans operate at up to 1550 RPM, providing 66.17 CFM of airflow. This setup balances cooling performance with noise levels, keeping sound under 25.6 dB. The design leaves room for RAM installation, making it compatible with most memory modules. You get a practical, spec-focused solution for high-end CPUs.
Installation And Daily Operation
Setting up this cooler involves attaching the included metal fasteners to your motherboard. The package provides specific mounting plates or brackets for Intel and AMD platforms. You will need to match the correct hardware to your socket. The listing supports Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700, and 1851. It also works with AMD AM4 and AM5 sockets. This broad compatibility means you likely have the right parts in the box.
The cooler stands 155 mm tall. You must check your case clearance to ensure it fits. The dual-tower design is wide, so you should verify it does not block RAM slots. The listing notes that the fans leave room for memory chips, which simplifies installing tall RAM sticks.
For daily use, the fans connect via a standard 4-pin PWM header. This allows your motherboard to control speed automatically. The fans run at up to 1550 RPM. This speed moves 66.17 CFM of air. The noise level stays at or below 25.6 dB(A). You get quiet operation during light tasks. The ARGB lighting adds visual effects. You connect the ARGB cable to a compatible motherboard header. The white finish matches modern white PC builds. The AGHP heat pipes help maintain consistent cooling regardless of orientation. This setup provides a reliable cooling solution without complex software management.
Check Case Height And Socket
Before you buy this Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White ARGB Cooler, verify your case clearance. The listing states a height of 155 mm, or 6.1 inches. You must ensure your PC case supports this dimension to avoid fitting issues. Check your RAM height as well. The design leaves room for memory chips, but tall heat spreaders may still interfere with the dual-tower structure. Confirm your motherboard socket compatibility. It supports Intel LGA 1700, 115x series, and 1851, plus AMD AM4 and AM5. You need to match the included fasteners to your specific platform. For upkeep, dust accumulation on the aluminum fins and copper base can reduce efficiency. You should clean it periodically with compressed air. This model sits among 1 options in our guide. Its dual-tower design and six heat pipes offer robust cooling for most users. Consider if the ARGB lighting matches your build aesthetic. If you prioritize silent operation, note the noise level is up to 25.6 dB. This cooler suits those who want high performance without excessive size constraints.
Check before you buy
- Verify your PC case supports 155 mm cooler height.
- Check RAM clearance near the dual-tower fins.
- Confirm your CPU socket is supported by the kit.
- Ensure you have the correct mounting fasteners for your board.
The product at a glance
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White ARGB Cooler
Best for: AM5 and LGA 1700 builds with white aesthetics
- Socket Compatibility
- AM4 AM5/Intel 1700/1150/1151/1851
- Cooler Height
- 155mm
- Heat Pipes
- 6
- Tower Design
- Double tower
- Fan Size
- 120mm
- Fan Speed
- 1550rpm±10%
View on Amazon: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White ARGB Cooler Affiliate link
This dual-tower air cooler uses six 6mm pure copper heat pipes with AGHP technology to manage heat effectively. It includes two 120mm PWM fans that reach 1550 RPM and produce up to 66.17 CFM of airflow. The unit supports modern Intel and AMD sockets, including LGA 1700 and AM5. It features ARGB lighting and a white finish. The cooler stands 155 mm tall, which may limit clearance with large RAM modules.
Pros
- Six 6mm pure copper heat pipes with AGHP technology
- Dual-tower design with two 120mm PWM fans
- Supports Intel LGA 1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets
- ARGB lighting and white aluminum heatsink finish
Cons
- 155 mm height may interfere with tall RAM modules
- Fans operate at 25.6 dB(A) maximum noise level
- Base weight is 0.97 kg, requiring sturdy motherboard support
Good fit if
- You need a cooler for LGA 1700 or AM5 platforms
- You prefer a white build with ARGB lighting effects
- You want a dual-tower design for improved heat dissipation
Skip if
- You have low-profile cases with less than 155 mm clearance
- You require silent operation below 20 dB(A)
- You prefer a single-tower cooler for compact builds
Verdict: Thermalright PA120 SE ARGB White Air Cooler is a solid choice for users with LGA 1700 or AM5 systems who want strong cooling performance and a white aesthetic. It fits best in mid-tower cases that can accommodate its 155 mm height.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White ARGB Cooler |
|---|---|
| Socket Compatibility | AM4 AM5/Intel 1700/1150/1151/1851 |
| Cooler Height | 155mm |
| Heat Pipes | 6 |
| Tower Design | Double tower |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| Fan Speed | 1550rpm±10% |
| Lighting | ARGB |
| Color | White |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Features | Fan |
| Dimensions | 4.92 × 5.31 × 6.1 inches |
| Weight | 1.87 pounds |
| Size | PA120 SE series |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 White ARGB fit AM5 sockets?
Yes, this cooler supports the AM5 socket. It is also compatible with AM4, LGA 1851, LGA 1700, LGA 1150, and LGA 1151. This wide range of socket compatibility makes it a versatile choice for both AMD and Intel platforms. You can install it on most modern motherboards without needing additional adapters.
What is the maximum height of this air cooler?
The maximum height is 6.1 inches, or 155 mm. This dimension is critical for case clearance. You must ensure your PC case has sufficient internal height to accommodate the cooler. If your case is too short, the side panel may not close properly or may put pressure on the cooler components.
Does this model include RGB lighting?
Yes, this version features ARGB lighting. The white aesthetic is designed to match modern white-themed PC builds. The ARGB functionality allows you to synchronize the lighting effects with your motherboard. This provides a cohesive visual appearance for your system without requiring separate lighting controllers.
How many heat pipes does the Peerless Assassin 120 have?
It contains six heat pipes. These pipes are made of pure copper and use AGHP technology. This design helps transfer heat away from the CPU base efficiently. The six pipes work in tandem with the dual-tower aluminum fins to dissipate thermal energy effectively during high loads.
Is the cooler made of aluminum or copper?
The main body is constructed from aluminum. The base and the six heat pipes are made of pure copper. This combination leverages the high thermal conductivity of copper for the base and the lightweight, cost-effective nature of aluminum for the fins. This material mix is standard for high-performance air coolers.
What is the weight of the Thermalright PA120 SE White?
The unit weighs 1.87 pounds. This weight is distributed across the dual-tower structure and the fans. You should ensure your motherboard socket can support this mass. Proper mounting hardware is included to secure the cooler firmly to the CPU socket without causing stress to the PCB.