Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black V3 CPU Cooler - High

Our review of the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black V3 finds it best suited for builders who need strong air cooling without RGB fuss; the single biggest reason to buy is its dual-tower, dual-fan layout paired with six fully plated heatpipes that drive heat away from the socket quickly. In testing and consideration of the design, the combination of a precision reflow soldered micro-engraved copper base and 2000RPM PWM fans makes this cooler a solid choice for high TDP CPUs where price-to-performance matters.

Key Features

• Dual-tower, dual-fan design: Delivers increased fin surface area and improved airflow for more consistent temperature control under sustained load.
• Six fully plated heatpipes: AGHP 6x6mm heatpipes move heat efficiently from the copper base into the aluminium fin stacks for faster dissipation.
• 2000RPM PWM fans: High speed fans provide strong airflow and can be controlled by motherboard fan curves for balance between cooling and noise.
• S-FDB bearing and silicone pads: The S-FDB bearing plus shock-absorbing corner pads reduces vibration and extends fan life while lowering audible artifacts.
• Memory avoidance cut corners: Asymmetrical and cut corner design prevents interference with tall memory modules and improves compatibility with PCIe components.
• Wide socket compatibility: Supports modern Intel and AMD sockets including AM4/AM5 and LGA 1700/1851 making it usable across current platforms.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 Black V3 is aimed at PC builders who prioritize raw air-cooling performance and durability over visual flair; it suits performance-minded gamers, content creators on a budget, and anyone replacing a stock cooler for noticeably lower CPU temperatures. The robust heatpipe array and twin fans make it particularly useful for CPUs that run hot under sustained multi-core workloads.

It is less ideal for ultra-compact mini-ITX cases or users who require a fully passive or ultra-quiet low-profile solution, and those who want integrated RGB or a more compact single-tower cooler should look elsewhere. Also note AMD installations require using the motherboard's original backplate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent heat transfer from the 6x6mm AGHP heatpipes and micro-engraved copper base for strong cooling performance.
• High RPM PWM fans with S-FDB bearings provide durable, high airflow operation with reduced vibration.
• Memory avoidance cut corner and asymmetrical tower layout improves compatibility with tall RAM and neighboring PCIe components.

Cons

• At up to 2000RPM the fans can be audible under load for users seeking near-silent operation.
• Its dual-tower size may present clearance challenges in compact cases or some motherboard layouts.

Specifications

Model	Peerless Assassin 120 Black V3
Design	Dual-tower, dual 120mm PWM fans
Heatpipes	6 x 6mm AGHP fully plated heatpipes
Base	Precision reflow soldered micro-engraved copper base
Fan Speed	Up to 2000RPM (PWM)
Compatibility	AMD AM4/AM5; Intel LGA 1851/1700/1150/1151/1155/1156/1200

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 Black V3 is a strong value for builders who want high-capacity air cooling without unnecessary extras; its six heatpipes, effective base contact and twin 120mm PWM fans deliver tangible temperature improvements for demanding CPUs. Buy it if you need reliable, beefy air cooling and can accommodate its size; skip it for very small cases or if near-silent minimalism is the priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit on AM4 and AM5 motherboards?
Yes, the cooler supports both AM4 and AM5; for AMD platforms you must reuse the motherboard's original backplate during installation.

Are the fans PWM controlled and noisy?
The included 120mm fans are PWM and can reach 2000RPM; they offer good airflow but can be audible at full speed depending on your case and fan curve settings.

Will tall memory modules interfere with the fans?
The cooler uses a cut corner and asymmetrical design to avoid most tall memory modules, and the fan can be repositioned upward if necessary to clear extra-high RAM.