Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3 CPU Air Cooler - Dual Tower

In this review the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3 is evaluated as a midrange dualtower air cooler aimed at builders who need strong cooling without a large noise penalty. The bottom line: this cooler is for users who want a compact doubletower design with dual PWM fans and a 6heatpipe array that prioritizes steady CPU temperature control across mixed workloads. Installation is straightforward for most modern Intel and AMD sockets, and the combination of nickelplated base and anodized top sheet gives it a durable, nononsense finish.

Key Features

• Doubletower dualfan: The twin 120mm fans and symmetric allaluminium fins provide balanced airflow through the heatsink for improved sustained cooling under load.
• 6 heat pipes with AGHP tech: Six 6mm heat pipes use upgraded AGHP generation tech to reduce performance loss when mounted in different orientations.
• Nickelplated copper base: The microengraved, reflowsoldered nickel copper base enhances thermal transfer from the CPU to the heat pipes.
• High RPM PWM fans: Fans spin up to 2000RPM with PWM control so the motherboard can modulate fan speed for a balance of cooling and noise.
• Wide socket compatibility: Supports modern Intel and AMD sockets including LGA1851/1700 and AM4/AM5 and includes mounting accessories for most builds.

Who It's For

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3 suits PC builders running mainstream to highcore CPUs who want a reliable air cooler that outperforms many singletower designs. It is a good match for gaming rigs and productivity workstations where keeping a CPU like a Ryzen 9 or modern Intel chip cool under sustained load matters.

Users who need extreme clearance for very tall memory modules or those with unusual legacy sockets outside the listed compatibility should look elsewhere. Very compact SFF systems may also struggle with the 125x135x155mm footprint of this cooler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong sustained cooling thanks to dual fans and six heat pipes, lowering CPU temperatures in heavy use.
• Quiet operation at sensible fan profiles with PWM control, noted by customers as pleasantly low noise.
• Good build quality with nickelplated base and anodized top sheet that resists oxidation.
• Reasonable value for the cooling performance delivered compared with singletower options.

Cons

• Compatibility is mixed for some older or uncommon sockets; one user reported issues with a legacy platform.
• The cooler's size may conflict with tall RAM or very small cases, so doublecheck clearance.

Specifications

Model	Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3
Size	125 x 135 x 155 mm
Heatsink Material	Aluminium fins with nickelplated copper base
Heat Pipes	6 x 6 mm, electroplated antioxidation
Fan Size	120 x 120 x 25 mm (dual)
Fan Speed / Airflow	Up to 2000 RPM / 70.84 CFM
Noise / Interface	29.8 dB(A) / 4pin PWM

Our Verdict

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE V3 is a compelling air cooler for builders who want a durable dualtower design with strong thermal transfer and quiet PWM fans. It offers very good value for mainstream and highcore CPUs, provided your case and memory clearance accommodate its dimensions. For most desktop builders seeking reliable temperature control without the complexity of liquid cooling, this cooler is a practical choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit AM4 and AM5 motherboards?
Yes, the cooler supports both AM4 and AM5 and ships with mounting accessories; use your motherboard backplate for AMD installation if required.

Are the fans PWM controlled?
Yes, the two 120mm fans use a 4pin PWM interface so speed is adjusted automatically by motherboard temperature signals.

Is the base made of copper or aluminium?
The base is a nickelplated copper bottom with microengraved reflow soldering, paired with aluminium fins for the heatsink.