Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Black CPU Air Cooler
Bottom line: The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Black CPU Air Cooler: Six heat pipes with dual-tower heatsink for strong dual-fan cooling; main trade-off: stands 155mm tall, so check case clearance before buying.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Six heat pipes with dual-tower heatsink for strong dual-fan cooling
- ✓ Runs quiet under load, rated 25.6 dB(A) from the twin TL-C12C PWM fans
- ✓ Wide socket support: Intel LGA1700/1851/1200 plus AMD AM4/AM5
- ✓ 66.17 CFM max airflow with 1550RPM PWM temperature control
Cons
- ✗ Stands 155mm tall, so check case clearance before buying
- ✗ AM4 installs require the motherboard's original backplate
- ✗ No RGB or ARGB lighting on the fans or towers
- ✗ Dual-tower depth can crowd tall RAM in the first DIMM slot
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Black 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.
Key Features
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwanese brand with more than 20 years of development history. It has a certain degree of popularity in the domestic and international markets, and has a decisive influence in the cooler market. We have been focusing on the research and development of computer accessories. The R&D product line includes: CPU coolers, CPU water cooling coolers, case fans, thermally conductive silicone grease, accessories and other products.
- [Product specification] Model: PA120SE BLACK; CPU heat sink size: 125 (L) x135 (W) x155 (H) mm (4.92x5.31x6.1 inch); Heat sink material: Aluminum, CPU heat sink equipped with metal fasteners from Intel and AMD platforms for better installation, dual tower and dual fan heat dissipation is more powerful.
- [Dual PWM Fans] TL-C12C Reverse Fan*2; Standard size PWM fan: 120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); Fan speed (RPM): 1550rpm±10%; Power interface: 4pin; Voltage: 12V; Air volume: 66.17 CFM (MAX); The noise value is≤25.6dB (A), and dual fans can provide stronger air flow, further improving the heat dissipation effect of the cpu cooler.
- [Detailed description] The radiator is equipped with a Y-type adapter cable (one end of 3-pin, one end of 4-pin), which can be very good to connect the two fans in series, to avoid the motherboard interface is not enough. (Note: Installation of AM4 motherboard, you need to use the motherboard original backplane installation)
- [Compatibility] CPU cooler slot support: Intel: LGA1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/1851; AMD: AM4/AM5; for different CPU slot platforms, the cooler's mounting kit provides the appropriate mounting plate or fasteners, can be combined with the installation instructions or follow the tutorials to the machine.
- [Stable output] CPU cooler with high-performance inverted fan with PWM temperature control function, shock-absorbing silicone feet around to reduce fan noise, anti-touch fan blade design to improve safety, and S-FDB bearing is a solution to the fan lifting jitter vibration. The S-FDB bearing solves the problem of fan lifting vibration. It improves the cooling performance to a great extent.
Full Specifications
| Brand | Thermalright |
|---|---|
| Model | PA120SE BLACK |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Wattage | 2.4 watts |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 4.92x5.31x6.1 inch |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 25.6 db |
| Part Number | PA120SE BLACK D6 |
| Material Type | Aluminum |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Vibration/Rumble | Yes |
| Air Flow Capacity | 66.17 cfm |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Included Components | cpu air cooler |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1550 rpm |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 4.92"L x 6.1"W x 5.31"H |
| Full listing title | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Black CPU Air Cooler, 6 Heat Pipes Heatsink Dual Towers Cooler, with Dual PWM Fans, 1550RPM Speed, Desktop CPU Cooler for Intel 1700/1851/1150/1151/1200;AM4 AM5 |
Ready to buy?
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Black CPU Air Cooler, 6 Heat Pipes Heatsink Dual Towers Cooler, with Dual PWM Fans, 1550RPM Speed, Desktop CPU Cooler for Intel 1700/1851/1150/1151/1200;AM4 AM5 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.
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