Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 CPU Air Cooler - Dual 120mm

In this review the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 is presented as a budget-friendly, high-performance air cooler for mainstream and enthusiast builders who need reliable CPU temperatures without a large tower footprint. The bottom line: it is best for users who want strong cooling from a compact dual-fan, dual-tower design with six heat pipes and Solid AGHP technology; the cooler balances cooling capacity and noise reasonably well while remaining easy to fit in many builds. The review covers installation, performance, noise, and build quality based on the product specification and user feedback.

Key Features

• Dual 120mm PWM Fans: Two TL-C12 120x120x25mm PWM fans provide up to 1500 RPM for steady airflow and consistent heat dissipation across the dual towers.
• Six Heat Pipes with AGHP: Six pure copper sintered heat pipes use AGHP technique to reduce inverse gravity effects and improve heat transfer in different orientations.
• Aluminium Heatsink Cover: A full aluminium heatsink with electroplated reflow welding ensures a durable finish and good thermal conduction across fins and pipes.
• Wide Socket Support: Metal fasteners and supplied mounting parts support Intel LGA 115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066 and AMD AM4/AM5 platforms for broad compatibility.
• Compact Footprint: At 125 x 135 x 157 mm it fits many mid-tower and smaller cases while leaving room around RAM for unrestricted installation.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 is aimed at PC builders who need strong air cooling without moving up to a large tower or liquid cooler; it is particularly suited to gamers and content creators running mainstream CPUs who want a cost-effective cooler that still manages sustained loads. The unit's dual 120mm fans and six heat pipes make it a sensible choice for systems where thermal headroom is important but case space is limited.

Users who need the absolute quietest operation or who plan builds with very tall memory modules and cramped top-of-motherboard layouts should compare radiator dimensions and clearance carefully; very small mini-ITX cases or extreme overclock scenarios may benefit from larger or water-cooling solutions instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong cooling capacity from a dual-tower layout and six heat pipes for solid thermal performance under load.
• Good installation flexibility with metal fasteners for both Intel and AMD sockets and included mounting hardware.
• Balanced airflow from two PWM 120mm fans that keep temperatures down while remaining reasonably quiet for most users.
• Compact dimensions that preserve RAM clearance and fit a wide range of cases.

Cons

• Noise reports are mixed in user feedback, so noise-sensitive users may notice fan sound under heavier loads.
• Not the smallest cooler available, so extremely compact builds should verify clearance before purchasing.

Specifications

Model	Thermalright PA120
Dimensions	125 x 135 x 157 mm
Fans	2 x TL-C12 120 x 120 x 25 mm PWM, 4-pin
Fan Speed	1500 RPM 10%
Max Airflow	66.17 CFM
Noise Level	25.6 dB(A)
Weight	1.02 kg
Heat Pipes	6 pure copper sintered heat pipes with AGHP
Compatibility	Intel 115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066, AMD AM4/AM5

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 is a practical choice for users who want strong, reliable CPU cooling without a large footprint; its six heat pipes, dual PWM fans and broad socket support give it excellent value for money. It delivers competent temperatures in mainstream gaming and productivity rigs while remaining straightforward to install, making it a sensible upgrade for builders seeking performance over flash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit tall memory modules?
Yes, the cooler is designed to leave RAM clearance by its 125 x 135 mm footprint, but check your specific motherboard layout for very tall modules.

Does it support modern Intel and AMD sockets?
Yes, the package includes metal fasteners and mounting parts for Intel LGA 115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066 and AMD AM4/AM5.

Are the fans quiet?
Fans run up to about 1500 RPM and are reasonably quiet for the performance class, though user reports vary and noise can increase under sustained heavy loads.