Thermalright
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler
Bottom line: The Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler ($17.90 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 16:16 UTC): 4 x 6mm AGHP heat pipes counter inverse-gravity effect in vertical or horizontal mounts; main trade-off: single 120mm tower, not a dual-fan or dual-tower design.
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Complete build that uses this part: $1,500 Gaming PC Build 2026: Parts, Cost, 1440p FPS (CPU cooler) — see the full parts list for the rest of the build.
This part is in $1,500 Gaming PC Build 2026: Parts, Cost, 1440p FPS: $1,487.32 for 8 parts, including this part, at Amazon prices checked or later (price may vary). 🛒 Add the full build (8 parts) to Amazon cart
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 4 x 6mm AGHP heat pipes counter inverse-gravity effect in vertical or horizontal mounts
- ✓ TL-C12C PWM fan rated 25.6 dB(A) max at 1550rpm
- ✓ 66.17 CFM peak airflow from a standard 120x120x25mm fan
- ✓ 148mm height clears most medium ATX cases
- ✓ Covers Intel LGA 1150 through 1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 with included brackets
Cons
- ✗ Single 120mm tower, not a dual-fan or dual-tower design
- ✗ 148mm height can still conflict with slim or small-form-factor cases
- ✗ 0.645kg hanging off the socket needs a supported motherboard tray
- ✗ Fan speed is fixed at 1550rpm +/- 10%, limiting high-RPM headroom
Manufacturer description
The Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE is a compact air cooler built for budget and mid-range builds that still need real thermal headroom. Four 6mm AGHP heat pipes sit under an aluminium heatsink cover, and the AGHP treatment is designed to counter the inverse-gravity effect, so the cooler performs consistently whether your motherboard sits vertically or horizontally in the case. The bundled TL-C12C 120x120x25mm PWM fan spins at 1550rpm (±10%), pushes up to 66.17 CFM, and stays at or below 25.6 dB(A), which keeps the Assassin X120 audible mainly under sustained load rather than at idle…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cooling & fans category. Thermalright's cooling & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for cooling & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Assassin X120 Refined SE fit my case?
The cooler measures 125mm (L) x 71mm (W) x 148mm (H). Thermalright lists it as suitable for medium-sized cases, so check that your case specifies at least 148mm of CPU cooler clearance.
Does it support AM5 and LGA 1700?
Yes. The socket list covers AMD AM4 and AM5 plus Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/17XX/1851, and the corresponding mounting plate or fastener parts are included for each platform.
How loud is it?
The TL-C12C fan is rated at 25.6 dB(A) or lower, spinning at 1550rpm +/- 10%. Because it is a 4-pin PWM fan, your motherboard can throttle it down further at idle.
How much airflow does the included fan move?
The TL-C12C is a 120x120x25mm 12V PWM fan rated at 66.17 CFM maximum. It uses S-FDB bearings rated for up to 20,000 hours of service life.
Key Features
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and foreign markets and has a pivotal influence in the player market. We have been focusing on the research and development of computer accessories. R & D product lines include: CPU air-cooled radiator, case fan, thermal silicone pad, thermal silicone grease, CPU fan controller, anti falling off mounting bracket, support mounting bracket and other commodities
- [Product specification]AX120R SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x71(W)x148(H)mm (4.92x2.8x 5.83 inch); Product weight:0.645kg(1.42lb); heat sink material: aluminum, CPU cooler is equipped with metal fasteners of Intel & AMD platform to achieve better installation
- 【PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin; Voltage:12V; Air flow:66.17CFM(MAX); Noise Level≤25.6dB(A), the fan pairs efficient cool with low-noise-level, providing you an environment with both efficient cool and true quietness
- 【AGHP technique】4×6mm heat pipes apply AGHP technique, Solve the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal orientation. Up to 20000 hours of industrial service life, S-FDB bearings ensure long service life of air-cooler radiators. UL class a safety insulation low-grade, industrial strength PBT + PC material to create high-quality products for you. The height is 148mm, Suitable for medium-sized computer case
- 【Compatibility】The CPU cooler Socket supports: Intel:1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/17XX/1851,AMD:AM4 /AM5; For different CPU socket platforms, corresponding mounting plate or fastener parts are provided
Full Specifications
| Brand | Thermalright |
|---|---|
| Model | AX120 Refined SE |
| Weight | 0.645kg |
| Voltage | 12 Volts (DC) |
| Material | Aluminium,Aluminum,Metal,Silicone |
| Dimensions | 4.92x2.8x 5.83 inch |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Noise Level | 25.6 Decibels |
| Part Number | AX120 R SE |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Material Type | Aluminium,Aluminum,Metal,Silicone |
| Cooling Method | Heat pipe and fan-based |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Air Flow Capacity | 66.17 Cubic Feet Per Minute |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Included Components | cpu cooler |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1550 RPM |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 4.72"L x 2.8"W x 5.83"H |
| Full listing title | Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler, 4 Heat Pipes, TL-C12C PWM Fan, Aluminium Heatsink Cover, AGHP Technology, for AMD AM4/AM5/Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1200/1700/1851(AX120 R SE) |
Ready to buy?
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler, 4 Heat Pipes, TL-C12C PWM Fan, Aluminium Heatsink Cover, AGHP Technology, for AMD AM4/AM5/Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1200/1700/1851(AX120 R SE) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.
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