Peerless Assassin 120 Black CPU Air Cooler - Dual 120mm Fans

In this review the Peerless Assassin 120 Black is evaluated as a compact dual-tower CPU air cooler aimed at mainstream builders who need better cooling than stock solutions without moving to large top-tier towers. The bottom line: it excels at steady, quiet cooling for midrange Intel and AMD sockets thanks to its dual 120mm TL-C12B PWM fans and six 6mm copper heat pipes, while remaining small enough to fit many cases that cannot accept larger coolers.

Key Features

• AGHP 4.0 Technology: Updated AGHP Gen4 heat pipe layout reduces the gravity effect so performance stays consistent in either vertical or horizontal motherboard orientations.
• Dual High Performance Fans: Two 120mm TL-C12B PWM fans provide up to 66.17 CFM airflow each while keeping noise low at around 25.6 dB(A), useful for cooler sustained loads.
• Six Copper Heat Pipes: Six 6mm pure copper heat pipes soldered to a copper base speed heat transfer from the CPU into the dual tower heatsink for faster dissipation.
• SS2 Install System: The included SS2 mounting and metal pressure plate improve contact pressure on the CPU, helping maintain consistent thermal transfer across supported sockets.
• RAM-friendly Fin Cutouts: Cutouts in the fin stack help provide clearance for tall memory modules on many motherboards.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 Black is well suited for PC builders who need a step up from stock coolers and want compatible cooling for AM4, AM5, and multiple Intel sockets without a huge cooler profile. It is a good match for midrange gaming rigs, content workstations on a budget, and users who value quieter operation at typical desktop loads.

Users who run extreme overclocks, very high TDP CPUs, or who have very limited case clearance should look elsewhere for larger high-end air coolers or AIO liquid solutions, since this model balances performance and size rather than chasing the absolute cooling ceiling.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong thermal transfer from six soldered copper heat pipes paired with two high airflow fans for reliable midrange cooling.
• Relatively compact dual-tower footprint at 125 x 135 x 157 mm fits many cases that exclude larger coolers.
• Quiet PWM fans and fin cutouts improve memory compatibility while keeping acoustics reasonable under load.

Cons

• Not targeted at extreme overclocking or very high TDP processors where larger coolers or liquid cooling perform better.
• AM4 and AM5 installation requires using the motherboard's built-in backplate, which may confuse some builders who expected a full mounting kit.

Specifications

Model	Peerless Assassin 120 Black
Dimensions	125(L) x 135(W) x 157(H) mm
Heat Pipes	6 x 6mm pure copper heat pipes
Fans	2 x TL-C12B 120 x 120 x 25 mm PWM (up to 1500 RPM)
Max Airflow	66.17 CFM (per fan)
Noise Level	25.6 dB(A)
Compatibility	Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/2011/2066/1851; AMD AM4/AM5

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 Black is a practical, value-oriented dual-tower cooler for mainstream builds that need reliable, quieter cooling without a massive footprint. Its AGHP 4.0 heat pipe layout, solid copper base and dual PWM fans deliver a well-rounded cooling package for most midrange CPUs, making it a smart choice for gamers and creators who want better thermal headroom than stock coolers provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this cooler fit tall RAM modules?
The fins include cutouts for RAM clearance, improving compatibility with many tall memory modules but checking specific motherboard layout is recommended.

Does it support AM5 installation out of the box?
AM4 and AM5 require using the motherboard's built-in backplate for installation; a separate backplate is not included with the cooler.

Are the fans PWM controlled?
Yes, the TL-C12B fans use a 4-pin PWM connector for automatic speed control via motherboard fan headers.