Peerless Assassin 120 SE WHITE ARGB CPU Air Cooler - Quiet High

Our review of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE WHITE ARGB finds it best suited to builders who want strong cooling in a compact footprint with visual flair. The cooler pairs a dual-tower aluminum and copper heatsink with six 6mm copper heat pipes and two 120mm ARGB PWM fans to deliver steady thermal performance while remaining relatively quiet. Installation uses the SS2 system and a metal pressure plate to improve contact, and AGHP technology helps keep heat transfer consistent regardless of cooler orientation; overall this is a practical choice for midrange CPUs and compact ATX builds.

Key Features

• Dual 120mm ARGB Fans: Two TL-C12CW-S fans provide colorful lighting and up to 1550 RPM PWM control for balanced airflow and quiet operation.
• Six Heat Pipes with AGHP: Six 6mm copper heat pipes with AGHP technology reduce orientation sensitivity and speed heat transfer to the fins.
• Dual Tower Heatsink: The aluminum dual-tower design and metal pressure plate increase contact area for better heat dissipation under load.
• Compact Dimensions: At 125 x 135 x 155 mm, the cooler fits many mid-tower cases while leaving room around RAM slots thanks to a fin cutout.
• Wide Socket Support: Native support for Intel LGA115x/1200/1700 and AMD AM4/AM5 gives broad motherboard compatibility for current platforms.
• PWM Fan Connector: Standard 4-pin PWM fans run from a 12V header so fan speed can be managed by motherboard controls for quieter idle operation.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE WHITE ARGB is aimed at PC builders who want a capable air cooler with attractive lighting and compact dimensions. It suits gamers and content creators using midrange CPUs who value temperature control and quiet fans without moving to an all-in-one liquid cooler.

Those who should look elsewhere include extreme overclockers or builders needing the absolute smallest low-profile cooler for tiny form-factor cases; this is a dual-tower design and requires checking case clearance and the need to use the motherboard backplate for AM4/AM5 mounting.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong value for money with reliable temperature control in everyday and gaming loads.
• Quiet operation at typical loads thanks to PWM fans rated at 25.6 dB(A) and up to 1550 RPM.
• Good build quality with a soldered copper base, metal pressure plate, and aluminum heatsink for effective heat transfer.
• ARGB fans add customizable lighting without sacrificing performance.

Cons

• Installation can be fiddly for some users and requires the motherboard backplate on AM4/AM5, which is not included.
• Not targeted at extreme overclocking where larger coolers or liquid solutions outperform it.

Specifications

Model	Peerless Assassin 120 SE WHITE ARGB
Dimensions	125 x 135 x 155 mm (L x W x H)
Heat Pipes	6 x 6 mm copper heat pipes
Fans	2 x 120 x 120 x 25 mm TL-C12CW-S ARGB, 4-pin PWM, 1550 RPM
Air Flow / Noise	66.17 CFM (max) / 25.6 dB(A)
Heatsink Material	Aluminum fins with copper base
Socket Support	Intel LGA115x/1200/1700; AMD AM4/AM5 (use motherboard backplate)

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE WHITE ARGB is a practical midrange air cooler that balances cooling performance, low noise, and ARGB aesthetics at a sensible price. Builders who want dependable temperature control for gaming and daily workloads will find it good value, provided they confirm case clearance and are comfortable with the required installation steps on AMD boards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit AM5 motherboards?
Yes; AM4 and AM5 are supported but you must use the motherboard's built-in backplate for installation, which is not supplied with the cooler.

How loud are the fans?
The included TL-C12CW-S fans are PWM-controlled and listed at 25.6 dB(A) at their rated speed, making them relatively quiet in normal use.

Is the cooler good for overclocking?
It handles midrange CPUs and modest overclocking well, but extreme overclockers may prefer a larger air cooler or a liquid solution for lower peak temperatures.