Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler - High

Our review of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB finds it to be a compact, midtower dualfan air cooler aimed at PC builders who want strong cooling without a large footprint. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of a doubletower aluminum heatsink, six sintered copper heat pipes using AGHP technology, and dual TLC12CS PWM fans that deliver notable cooling performance for mainstream and highperformance CPUs while still fitting most builds.

Key Features

• Double tower heatsink: The aluminum dualtower design increases surface area for heat dissipation and improves sustained cooling under load.
• Six heat pipes with AGHP: Six pure copper sintered heat pipes use AGHP technique to mitigate inverse gravity effects and maintain consistent heat transfer in different orientations.
• Dual PWM fans: Two TLC12CS 120mm PWM fans provide up to 1500 RPM with 66.17 CFM for balanced airflow and temperature control.
• ARGB lighting: 5V 3pin ARGB headers produce colorful lighting effects to match system aesthetics and can be synced with compatible motherboards.
• Broad socket support: Included metal fasteners and mounting plates cover Intel 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 for crossplatform compatibility.
• Memory clearance: The cooler leaves room around RAM slots so most memory modules will not interfere with installation.

Who It's For

The cooler is best for PC builders and gamers who need a reliable air cooler that competes with higherpriced options in everyday thermal performance, especially on mainstream Intel and AMD sockets. It suits users who want ARGB lighting and a compact dualtower solution that still fits midtower cases.

It is less suitable for users chasing the absolute lowest noise floor at high loads or those who require extreme overclocking headroom beyond what a midsized dualtower air cooler can reliably handle; large openframe rigs and extreme LN2 or subzero cooling scenarios should look to larger towers or liquid cooling alternatives.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong cooling performance thanks to six heat pipes and a dualtower aluminum heatsink.
• ARGB fans offer visual customization while delivering useful airflow and PWM control.
• Wide socket compatibility and included metal mounting hardware simplify installation.
• Compact footprint that preserves RAM clearance in most builds.

Cons

• Some users report mixed impressions on noise level under load, so expect audible fan presence at higher speeds.
• Aluminum heatsink makes the unit lighter than some allcopper alternatives, which may affect peak thermal capacity for extreme overclocking.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB is a wellrounded midsize air cooler that delivers strong everyday cooling and flexible compatibility at a reasonable value. Builders who want effective thermal performance, ARGB styling, and straightforward installation will find this cooler to be a practical alternative to pricier models; those seeking ultraquiet or extreme overclock cooling should compare larger air towers or AIO options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this cooler fit RAM with tall heat spreaders?
Yes, the design preserves memory clearance for most DIMMs, but very tall modules may need checking against the 155 mm height and fan position.

Does it support ARGB motherboard headers?
Yes, the fans use a 5V 3pin ARGB connector compatible with standard 5V ARGB headers for lighting control.

Which sockets are supported?
The package includes mounting hardware for Intel 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets.