Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black CPU Air Cooler - Dual Tower

In this review the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black is presented as a budget-friendly dual tower air cooler aimed at builders who need strong multi-core cooling without a large tower or noisy fans. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of a dual-tower aluminium heatsink with six copper heat pipes and two 120mm PWM fans that together deliver substantial cooling capacity for mainstream high-performance CPUs while remaining relatively quiet and compact for a tower cooler.

Key Features

• Dual tower aluminium heatsink: The offset asymmetric twin-tower layout increases effective surface area and helps clear the first PCIe slot for better compatibility with many GPU setups.
• Six heat pipes with AGHP technology: The 66mm sintered heat pipes use AGHP technique to mitigate inverse gravity effects, improving heat transfer across different case orientations.
• Dual TL-C12B PWM fans: Two 120x120x25mm PWM fans deliver up to 66.17 CFM at about 1500 RPM for steady airflow while keeping noise levels around 25.6 dB(A).
• Electroplating and black finish: A full electroplating reflow welding process and nanoscale black paint give the cooler a consistent finish and a total dissipation area of roughly 9600 cm2.
• Broad socket compatibility: Includes metal fasteners and mounting parts for Intel LGA 1700/1200/115x/2066/2011 and AMD AM4/AM5, simplifying installation across platforms.
• Compact dimensions: At 125 x 135 x 157 mm it fits many midtower cases while still offering double-tower cooling performance.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 Black is well suited to PC builders who want a step up from single-tower coolers without moving to an all-in-one liquid solution; gamers and content creators pushing mid-to-high TDP CPUs will appreciate the cooler's 245W rated capacity and strong airflow. It is also a good option for those who value quieter operation, as users report low noise and substantial temperature drops on processors like the Ryzen 5800X and Core i7-12700K.

Users who need the absolute smallest low-profile cooler or who require extreme overclocking headroom beyond air-cooling limits should look elsewhere; large tower or custom water cooling can offer lower peak temperatures for extreme loads. Also measure case clearance and RAM height before buying, as dual-tower designs can conflict with tall memory modules in some builds.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong cooling for its size thanks to six heat pipes and a 9600 cm2 dissipation area.
• Quiet performance with two PWM fans that balance airflow and noise for everyday use.
• Good build quality and a clean black finish from electroplating and nanoscale paint.
• Broad socket support with included metal fasteners for Intel and AMD platforms.

Cons

• Dual-tower layout increases height and may conflict with tall RAM or very compact cases.
• Fans top out at about 1500 RPM, so extreme overclockers may want higher maximum airflow solutions.

Specifications

Model	PA120 Black / Peerless Assassin 120
Dimensions	125 x 135 x 157 mm
Heat pipes	6 pure copper sintered heat pipes with AGHP
Fans	2 x TL-C12B 120 x 120 x 25 mm PWM, 1500 RPM (max)
Airflow / Noise	66.17 CFM (max) / 25.6 dB(A)
Material	Aluminium heatsink, pure copper base
Compatibility	Intel LGA 115X/1200/1700/17XX/2011/2066, AMD AM4/AM5

Our Verdict

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black is a sensible value-oriented dual-tower air cooler that delivers solid cooling for mid-to-high TDP desktop CPUs while remaining quiet and well finished. It offers broad socket support and a compact-enough footprint for many midtower builds, making it a good buy for users who want strong performance without the complexity or price of custom liquid cooling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this cooler fit in a midtower case?
With dimensions of 125 x 135 x 157 mm it fits most midtower cases, but check CPU cooler height clearance and RAM height before installation.

Is it compatible with modern Intel and AMD sockets?
Yes, the package includes metal fasteners for Intel LGA 115x/1200/1700/2066/2011 and AMD AM4/AM5 mounts.

How loud are the fans under load?
The dual TL-C12B PWM fans run up to about 1500 RPM and are reported around 25.6 dB(A), which many users find quiet during typical gaming and productivity workloads.