Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB Black V3 CPU Air Cooler - Dual Tower

In this review of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB Black V3, the bottom line is simple: this dual-tower, dual-fan air cooler is aimed at desktop builders who need stronger cooling than a single-tower design without moving to a bulky 140mm tower. The reviewer found the 6 electroplated heat pipes, nickel-plated copper base and high-speed 2000RPM PWM fans combine to lower CPU temperatures effectively while keeping noise reasonable, making it a good choice for mid to high TDP CPUs on AM4/AM5 and modern Intel sockets.

Key Features

• Double-tower dual-fan structure: The asymmetrical twin-tower layout with two 120mm fans increases fin area and airflow for better sustained cooling under load.
• Six copper heat pipes: Fully electroplated anti-oxidation heat pipes transfer heat quickly from the CPU to the aluminium fins for improved thermal performance.
• Nickel-plated copper base: Seiko micro-carved reflow soldering on the nickel-plated copper bottom ensures solid contact with the CPU heat spreader for consistent heat transfer.
• High-speed PWM fans: Included 120x120x25mm fans run to around 2000RPM with 4PIN PWM control for responsive fan speed scaling and good airflow up to about 70.84 CFM.
• Memory clearance design: Cut corner treatment and optional upward fan mounting let taller memory modules coexist without blocking the fan sweep.
• ARGB and synchronized PWM: 5V 3PIN ARGB lighting and a 1-to-2 PWM cable let both fans share speed control and lighting when your motherboard supports it.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB Black V3 is well suited to PC builders who want a compact yet capable air cooler that fits standard mid-tower cases and supports both recent Intel and AMD platforms. It targets users upgrading from stock coolers or single-tower designs who want better thermal headroom for gaming, content creation, or modest overclocking.

It is not ideal for extremely small SFF cases where 155mm height could be a fit issue, nor is it the best choice for systems requiring the absolute quietest low-profile cooler. Users of very old or exotic sockets should check compatibility carefully, since some legacy platforms may not be supported.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong thermal capacity from six heat pipes and a large fin stack for sustained load handling.
• Good airflow from dual 120mm PWM fans, with practical ARGB lighting options for modern builds.
• Thoughtful memory clearance that avoids common DIMM interference with upward mounting flexibility.
• Includes mounting hardware and a 1-to-2 PWM cable for synchronized fan control.

Cons

• Height at 155mm may conflict with tighter cases or very tall RAM in some builds.
• Compatibility had mixed reports from customers on older sockets, so confirm socket support before purchase.

Specifications

Model	Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB Black V3
Dimensions	125 x 135 x 155mm
Heat pipes	6 fully electroplated copper heat pipes
Fan size & speed	120 x 120 x 25mm, 2000RPM 10%
Airflow & pressure	70.84 CFM, 2.63 mm H2O
Noise	Approx. 29.8 dB(A)
Compatibility	Intel LGA1851/1700/115x/1200 and AMD AM4/AM5

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB Black V3 is a balanced performer that delivers noticeably better cooling than stock solutions and many single-tower designs, while remaining reasonably quiet and feature rich with ARGB and PWM synchronization. It represents good value for builders who need extra thermal headroom on AM4/AM5 or current Intel systems, provided case height and socket compatibility are confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit tall memory modules?
Yes; the cooler has a memory avoidance cut corner and you can mount the fan upwards if modules are very tall.

Does it support my Intel or AMD socket?
It supports Intel LGA1851/1700/115x/1200 and AMD AM4/AM5; follow the included instructions and use the original AMD backplate for AM4/AM5 installs if required.

Is the ARGB lighting addressable?
Yes; the lighting connector is 5V 3PIN ARGB for motherboard addressable lighting control.