Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler - High Performance Dual 120mm

In this review of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler the bottom line is simple: this cooler is for desktop builders who want strong, quiet cooling in a compact dual-tower package. It delivers noticeably better thermal performance than many stock coolers thanks to six 6mm heat pipes with AGHP technology, soldered copper base, and two high airflow TL-C12C 120mm PWM fans. The design also balances compatibility with an offset asymmetric heatsink and cutouts for tall RAM, making it a practical choice for mainstream gaming and productivity builds.

Key Features

• Soldered copper base: The soldered connection between the heat pipes and copper base improves heat transfer and gives steadier temperatures under load.
• AGHP Technology: Six 6mm heat pipes with AGHP design reduce gravity effects so performance stays consistent whether the cooler is installed vertically or in other orientations.
• Dual 120mm fans: Two TL-C12C PWM fans provide up to 66.17 CFM with modest noise, allowing good airflow across the dual tower without sounding loud.
• Offset asymmetric layout: The heatsink is shifted to improve clearance for large graphics cards and motherboard components, increasing overall compatibility.
• SS2 install system: A metal pressure plate and included mounting system help achieve firm contact with the CPU for reliable heat exchange.
• Compact footprint: At 125 x 135 x 155 mm the cooler fits many mid-tower cases while still offering a dual-tower surface area for heat dissipation.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is aimed at PC builders who need better cooling than a stock cooler without stepping up to a large tower or AIO liquid cooler. It is a good fit for gamers and content creators running mainstream CPUs who want quiet operation and improved temperatures, as one customer reported keeping a Ryzen 5 9600x under 65C in typical use.

Builders with very small cases, extreme overclocking goals, or a requirement for an included motherboard backplate for AM4/AM5 should look elsewhere. Note that AM4/AM5 installation requires using the motherboard's built-in backplate rather than a supplied backplate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong thermal performance from soldered copper base and six heat pipes.
• Quiet dual 120mm PWM fans that balance airflow and noise well.
• Offset design and fin cutouts improve RAM and GPU compatibility.
• Solid build quality with anodized brushed top cover and nickel-plated pipes for a premium look.

Cons

• Installation experience varies; some users may find mounting less straightforward than simpler coolers.
• Requires motherboard backplate for AM4/AM5 installs which is not supplied with the cooler.

Specifications

Product	Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler
Dimensions	125 x 135 x 155 mm (4.92 x 5.31 x 6.1 in)
Heat Pipes	Six 6 mm copper heat pipes with AGHP technology
Fans	2 x TL-C12C 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 4-pin PWM, up to 1550 RPM
Air Flow / Noise	66.17 CFM (max) / 25.6 dB(A)
Heatsink Material	Aluminum fins, copper base
Compatibility	Intel LGA1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700; AMD AM4/AM5 (use motherboard backplate)

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is a well-rounded air cooler that offers excellent value for mainstream builders who want lower temps and quiet operation without a very large footprint. Its soldered copper base, six heat pipes and dual TL-C12C fans deliver reliable cooling, while the offset design helps fit into tighter builds. Recommended for gamers and productivity users who need a step up from stock cooling and care about compatibility and noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit my AM4 or AM5 motherboard?
Yes, but you must use your motherboard's existing backplate for AM4/AM5 installs because a separate backplate is not included.

How loud are the fans under load?
The TL-C12C fans are rated at about 25.6 dB(A) and are generally described as quiet while providing good airflow.

Does the cooler interfere with tall RAM or large GPUs?
The heatsink has an offset asymmetric layout and fin cutouts to improve clearance for tall RAM and large graphics cards, improving compatibility in most builds.