CPU coolers / Compare

Noctua NH-L12S vs Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

A

Product A: Noctua

NH-L12S

29 of 54 known

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B

Product B: Thermalright

Assassin X 120 Refined SE

32 of 54 known

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Only differences

ANoctua NH-L12S

BThermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

General

6 of 12 differ

Series

NH-L121Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026The text calls the NH-L12S the successor to the NH-L12 and the model of the NH-L12 line. The family name NH-L12 is stored.

Assassin X1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026Breadcrumb and category: Assassin X.

Model numbersiMaker identifiers for this exact model and its listed variants. Excludes sibling models and other generations.

NH-L12S1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Noctua gives no separate model code. The model name is NH-L12S.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026Product name Noctua NH-L12S.

AX120-R-SE, AX120-R-SE-ARGB17Retailer pagereview.kakaku.com/review/K0001681244Read 14 October 2026Kakaku lists AX120-R-SE for this cooler and AX120-R-SE-ARGB for the ARGB edition (review.kakaku.com/review/K0001681245/). The maker publishes no part numbers. The names are the model codes retailers and Tom's Hardware use (AX120 R SE).

GTIN / EAN

9010018000054, 8415011000551Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026EAN barcode 9010018000054 in the spec table copied from Noctua.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026Logistic data: EAN 9010018000054 and UPC 841501100055.

814256003773, 814256013772, 814256003780, 814256015837, 81425600402214Retailer pagecomputerorbit.com/products/thermalright-assassin-x-120-refined-se-tower-air-cooler.jsRead 14 October 2026Shopify product feed, barcode 0814256003773 for AX120 REFINED SE (UPC 814256003773). The Computer Orbit feeds also give 0814256003780 for the ARGB edition (.../thermalright-assassin-x-120-refined-se-v2-tower-air-cooler.js), 0814256015837 for the White edition and 0814256004022 for the White ARGB edition. AWD-IT lists 814256013772 for the black model, another valid UPC, so both black UPCs are stored with no row pairing.15Retailer pageawd-it.co.uk/thermalright-assassin-x120-refined-se-single-tower-cpu-air-cooler-225w-tdp-black.htmlRead 14 October 2026EAN 814256013772 for the black model (ARGB: No). The page also gives a TDP of up to 225 W, which is a retailer figure and is not stored.

AnnouncediThe maker's first announcement of this model. This is separate from first retail availability.

Not available

Not available

Status

Available1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 202626 in stock on the access date.

Available12Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00582147.htmlRead 14 October 2026Listed with a price and a delivery estimate on the access date.

PredecessoriThe model this one directly replaced, in the same line, tier and size, as the maker or a trusted review names it.

Not available

Not available

SuccessoriThe model that directly replaced this one, in the same line, tier and size. A revision such as a Slim or OLED model does not count when a next generation exists.

Not available

Not available

Launch price (US)iThe maker's US launch MSRP for the stated configuration, excluding tax. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

Not available

$19.98Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-reviewRead 14 October 2026Spec table and features text: official MSRP $19.90 USD. The review of 2024-09-27 is later than the 2021 record date of the product page, so this is the MSRP the review states and not proven as the launch price. Amazon sold it for $16.59 to $18.90 then.

Launch price (EU)iThe maker's euro launch price for the stated configuration, including VAT as published. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

€49.92Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026Logistic data: MSPR 49.90 EUR. The sheet gives no country and no tax note. Noctua's suggested prices include VAT in EU shops, but the sheet does not say so.

Not available

MarketsiISO country or region codes where this exact model or variant is sold. A source page's language does not establish availability.

Not available

Not available

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

Not available

Black, White5Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-se-whiteRead 14 October 2026Page title: Assassin X 120 Refined SE WHITE. The black models are listed without a colour on the maker pages, and LDLC names them Black.

Cooler typeiAir is a heatsink with fans that sits on the CPU. AIO liquid is a sealed all-in-one liquid cooler with a pump block, tubes and a radiator.

Air1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Low-profile air cooler with one slim 120 mm fan.

Air1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026

Air cooler layoutiAir coolers only. Top-flow covers low-profile coolers whose fan blows down onto the board.

Top-flow1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026The text calls the NH-L12 line low-profile 120mm top-flow coolers. The fan can blow upwards or downwards.8Reviewbasic-tutorials.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/noctua-nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026The fan sits under the fins from the factory and moves the air upwards. It can also go on top. Lazer3D confirms the fan pushes air up through the heatsink as delivered.

Single tower1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026Categories: Assassin X and Single Tower.

Rated TDP (claimed)iThe heat load the maker says the cooler handles. Makers do not share one test method, so this is not a measured result. A maker's maximum heat dissipation power counts. Check the maker's CPU compatibility page too.

Not available

Not available

Base materialiThe surface that touches the CPU: the heatsink base or the AIO cold plate. Plating counts, so nickel-plated copper is not copper. Direct-touch heat pipes are the contact surface, so they count as copper unless plating is stated. The direct-contact heat pipes field records the design.

Nickel-plated copper1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Material: copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints and nickel plating. EnosTech and Basic Tutorials describe the base and pipes as nickel-plated copper.6Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 2026The base and the heat pipes are copper with a nickel coating.8Reviewbasic-tutorials.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/noctua-nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Nickel-plated copper contact surface.

Copper8Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-reviewRead 14 October 2026Spec table, Base: four 6mm direct touch copper heatpipes. No plating is stated. Heatsink material is aluminum. LDLC says pure copper base. Cybenetics lists block material aluminium, which looks like the fin stack.12Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00582147.htmlRead 14 October 2026Pure copper base, four 6 mm copper heat pipes.

Thermal pasteiPre-applied means paste is already on the base or cold plate. Included means a separate tube or syringe in the box.

Included1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound in the accessories.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026Scope of delivery: 1x NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound.

Included3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/ASSASSINX120REFINEDSE.pdfRead 14 October 2026Parts list item J: Thermal Grease x1. The steps say to apply thermal grease on the CPU. Tom's Hardware names it TF4 paste in a tube.8Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-reviewRead 14 October 2026The bundle includes a tube of Thermalright TF4 thermal paste.

Compatibility

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CPU socketsiSockets the maker lists as supported in its spec table, compatibility list or guide, written as cpu_socket writes them, e.g. AM5 or LGA1851. List each socket on its own, so LGA115x becomes LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156. When the maker names the sockets of such a family, list only the ones it names. A socket that needs a separately sold or requested mounting kit is left out. A new socket that the maker lists with no extra kit counts. LGA2011-v3 and 2011(V3) are written LGA2011-3. Threadripper sockets use AMD's names, so TR4 is written sTR4 and TR5 is written sTR5. sTRX4 and sWRX8 are sockets of their own.

AM5, AM4, LGA1954, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA11501Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Spec table: Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156 and AMD AM5, AM4. The product text also names LGA2011, LGA2066 and older AMD sockets. The text is from the launch and the current spec table omits them, so they are not stored. The installation method is a backplate that needs motherboard removal.9Press articleclub386.comRead 15 October 2026Article quoting Noctua's FAQ: all Noctua CPU coolers compatible with LGA1851 and LGA1700 also support Intel's LGA1954, and no additional mounting parts are needed. The NH-L12S is listed for LGA1851 and LGA1700, so LGA1954 is stored. The article warns that low-profile coolers with a backplate mount may differ, but Noctua's statement covers all its coolers.

AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA11501Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026Intel 115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5. 115x is written as LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/ASSASSINX120REFINEDSE.pdfRead 14 October 2026Installation sections for AMD AM4, Intel LGA115X/1200 and Intel LGA1700. The maker page adds LGA1851.

RAM height clearanceiAir coolers only. The tallest memory module that fits under the cooler with all included fans in their standard position. When the maker gives different values per socket, store the lowest and name the others in the source note. A heatsink that does not reach over the memory slots has no height limit, so the field is left out and the maker's statement goes in the source note.

35mm1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Text: with the fan installed on top of the fins, modules up to 48 mm fit, against 35 mm in low-profile mode (fan underneath the fins). The fan sits underneath as delivered, so 35 mm is stored. The launch data sheet says 45 mm for the fan-on-top mode.5Reviewfunkykit.com/reviews/cooling/noctua-nh-l12s-cpu-cooler-review/2Read 15 October 2026The reviewer had to move the fan on top to fit tall modules, so the low-profile mode limits the module height. Maker text on page 1: 48 mm with the fan on top against 35 mm in low-profile mode.7Reviewpcgamer.com/hardware/cooling/noctua-nh-l12s-reviewRead 15 October 2026RAM clearance 48 mm with the fan mounted on top and 35 mm with the fan mounted inside.

Not available

Offset mountingiThe included mount can shift the base or cold plate off the socket centre, for example toward the AM5 hotspot. An asymmetric heatsink on a centred base does not count.

Yes8Reviewbasic-tutorials.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/noctua-nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026The AMD brackets have two holes each, one for central mounting and one for offset mounting. On AM5 the -7 mm position is advised for the best result.

Not available

Heatsink

1 of 3 differ

Heat pipesiAir coolers only. Number of heat pipes. A U-shaped pipe with two ends in the fins counts as one. A T-shaped pipe with three ends, such as Cooler Master's 3DHP, also counts as one. The maker's count wins over a review or Cybenetics count.

46Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 20264 heat pipes.7Reviewpcgamer.com/hardware/cooling/noctua-nh-l12s-reviewRead 15 October 2026Four heatpipes.8Reviewbasic-tutorials.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/noctua-nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Four heatpipes run from a nickel-plated copper contact surface to the fins.

41Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026Heat pipes: 6mm heatpipe x 4 units.

Heat pipe diameteriAir coolers only. Outer diameter, such as 6 or 8.

6mm6Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 2026Four heat pipes, each of 6 mm thickness.

6mm1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026

Direct-contact heat pipesiAir coolers only. The heat pipes touch the CPU directly instead of sitting in a solid base plate.

No6Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 2026The base is a copper block of 33 x 37 mm. The heat pipes are soldered to the base above the baseplate.

Yes8Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-reviewRead 14 October 2026Spec table and features text: four direct-touch copper heatpipes.

Liquid cooling

None of 7 known

Radiator sizeiAIO coolers only. The nominal size class from the fan positions, such as 240, 280, 360 or 420.

Not available

Not available

Radiator dimensionsiRadiator without fans. Length runs along the row of fans. Width runs across it. Thickness is the depth the airflow passes through, such as 27 or 38.

Not available

Not available

Radiator material

Not available

Not available

Tube lengthiLength of each tube between the pump block and the radiator, as published. When the two tubes differ, the shorter is stored and the other goes in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Max pump speediHighest rated pump speed. When the maker gives a range, this is its top.

Not available

Not available

Pump power connectoriHow the pump gets power. A pump wired through a supplied hub or cable uses the plug at the motherboard or PSU end. A pump powered from SATA with a separate 3-pin speed lead is SATA power.

Not available

Not available

VRM faniA small fan on the pump block that blows over the motherboard voltage regulators.

Not available

Not available

Fans

1 of 2 differ

Included fansiFans in the box that cool the heatsink or radiator, one row per fan model. A VRM fan on the pump block is left out. Speed, airflow, pressure and noise are the maker's figures for one fan at full speed, in the fastest mode and without a low-noise adapter. When a range is published, the top of the range is stored. Count is the number of rotors, so a unified frame with three 120 mm rotors counts 3 with size 120. Min speed is the lowest speed while spinning. A zero RPM stop is not stored. FDB and S-FDB are fluid dynamic. HDB is hydrodynamic. Cooler Master's Loop Dynamic Bearing is loop dynamic. If the maker gives airflow only in m³/h, convert with 1 m³/h = 0.5886 CFM, round to one decimal and say so in the source note. Connector is the fan's power lead. A separate lighting lead is not counted, and a maker cable or adapter in the box that ends in a 4-pin PWM plug counts as 4-pin PWM, even when the fan's own lead is proprietary. For an air cooler with one fan, the maker's noise figure for the cooler is the fan noise. A figure the maker does not label per fan or in total counts as per fan. When a maker table prints noise for the whole cooler with no per-fan label and the maker's own data sheet for the same fan gives a figure, the fan data sheet figure is stored.

ANoctua NH-L12S

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Min speed (rpm)	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Noise (claimed) (dB(A))	Bearing	Connector
NF-A12x15 PWM	120	1	450	1,850	55.4	1.53	23.9	SSO or SSO2	4-pin PWM

Source1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Fan table: NF-A12x15 PWM, SSO bearing, 1850 RPM max (+/-10%), 1400 RPM with the L.N.A., 450 RPM min (PWM), 55.4 CFM, 23.9 dB(A), 16.8 dB(A) with the L.N.A. Max values are for the fan without the L.N.A. Static pressure is not on this page, see the Noctua data sheets.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026NF-A12x15 PWM table: 1850 RPM, 94.2 m3/h, 23.9 dB(A), 1.53 mmH2O without the adaptor. With the L.N.A.: 1400 RPM, 70.8 m3/h, 16.8 dB(A), 0.90 mmH2O. 94.2 m3/h is 55.4 CFM.3Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/c/e/908bf63bad9d1599f184bd6bcd48a977c989.pdfRead 15 October 2026Noctua's NF-A12x15 PWM data sheet: 120 x 120 x 15 mm, SSO2 bearing, 4-pin connector, 1850 RPM (+/-10%), 94.2 m3/h, 23.9 dB(A) and 1.53 mmH2O without the adaptor. Minimum PWM speed 450 RPM is on the NH-L12S spec table.

BThermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Noise (claimed) (dB(A))	Bearing	Connector
TL-C12C	120	1	1,550	66.17	1.53	25.6	Fluid dynamic (FDB)	4-pin PWM

Source1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026TL-C12C FAN Spec: 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 1550 RPM +/-10% (MAX), 25.6 dBA, 66.17 CFM (MAX), 1.53 mm H2O (MAX), 4 pin PWM connector, S-FDB bearing, 0.20 A. The page does not state a fan count. The manual parts list shows one fan. S-FDB is stored as fluid dynamic, as on other Thermalright coolers. The page also has an ARGB Connector row (3 PIN 5V) for this fan. Tom's Hardware lists the TL-C12C with lighting none, and the White page (TL-C12CW) has no such row, so the row looks like a copy from the ARGB page and is not stored.8Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-reviewRead 14 October 2026Fan table: Thermalright TL-C12C, 120 x 120 x 25 mm, up to 1550 RPM, 66.17 CFM, 1.53 mmH2O, S-FDB.

FansiNumber of included heatsink or radiator fans.

1=CalculatedFrom Included fans

1=CalculatedFrom Included fans

Display and lighting

0 of 7 differ

RGB lightingiLighting on the fans, the heatsink or the pump block.

No1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026The spec table and the accessory list show no lighting. The fan is the plain NF-A12x15.

No8Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-reviewRead 14 October 2026Fan table for the TL-C12C: Lighting None. LDLC says not luminous for the black model.12Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00582147.htmlRead 14 October 2026Lighting: not luminous.

Lighting standardiThe named lighting connection. ARGB lighting alone does not prove a 5 V header. Proprietary means the maker's own hub or cable system.

Not available

Not available

Built-in screeniA screen on the pump block or the heatsink. LCD and OLED screens show images. A segment readout shows digits only, such as the CPU temperature.

None1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026The spec table lists no screen.

None1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026The page lists a heatsink and a fan only. No screen is mentioned.

Screen sizeiDiagonal of the built-in screen.

Not available

Not available

Screen resolution

Not available

Not available

SoftwareiThe maker's software for lighting, the screen or the pump. Software that works with the cooler out of the box. Software that needs a separately sold controller is left out.

Not available

Not available

Needs a USB headeriThe cooler needs an internal USB 2.0 header on the motherboard for software control, sensors or the screen. A wireless receiver that plugs into any USB port does not count.

No6Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 2026Installation: connect the fan's 4-pin power connector to the CPU fan header or any fan header. No USB cable or software is part of the cooler.

No3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/ASSASSINX120REFINEDSE.pdfRead 14 October 2026Fan wiring page: one 4-pin PWM fan header for CPU_FAN, plus a 3-pin 5V ARGB header for fans with ARGB lighting. No USB connection is shown.

Measured

6 of 6 differ

Cybenetics THETA, AMD AM5iThe THETA level for this cooler's class on the Cybenetics AMD AM5 platform with a Ryzen 9 7900X. It is rated at 30 dB(A) normalized noise, or at 25 dB(A) for a cooler that cannot reach 30 dB(A). No level means tested without a level. A cooler that Cybenetics did not test on this platform is left out. A report with a heading for this platform but no results counts as not tested.

Not available

Silver10Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/110Read 14 October 2026Report TRCLR00110 is for the Assassin X 120 Refined SE ARGB, tested Nov 16 to 19, 2025. THETA Silver, Air, AM5, Ryzen 9 7900X, default mount, rated at 30 dB(A). The maker lists the same heatsink and the same fan figures for the plain model (TL-C12C against TL-C12C-S), so the ARGB report is used for it too. Evaluated before Revision 2.0 under Revision 1.8, and re-rated into the air class by Revision 2.2.

Cybenetics THETA, Intel LGA1851iThe same rating on the Cybenetics Intel LGA1851 platform with a Core Ultra 9 285K. A cooler that Cybenetics did not test on this platform is left out. A report with a heading for this platform but no results counts as not tested.

Not available

Silver10Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/110Read 14 October 2026THETA Silver, Air, LGA1851, Core Ultra 9 285K, default mount, rated at 30 dB(A).

Overall performance at 30 dB(A), AM5 (measured)iThe Cybenetics Overall Performance score at 30 dB(A) normalized noise on the AMD AM5 platform. It is average CPU power times average CPU frequency divided by average CPU temperature. Higher is better. A cooler rated only at 25 dB(A) has no value here.

Not available

9,66510Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/110Read 14 October 2026Overall Performance 9,665 at 30 dB(A) on a Ryzen 9 7900X (PBO enabled).

Overall performance at 30 dB(A), LGA1851 (measured)iThe same score on the Cybenetics Intel LGA1851 platform. Scores from the two platforms are not comparable with each other.

Not available

12,88410Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/110Read 14 October 2026Overall Performance 12,884 at 30 dB(A) on a Core Ultra 9 285K (Intel default mode).

Noise at 100% fan setting (Cybenetics)iThe Cybenetics noise at the 100% fan setting, measured 1 m from the cooler in a hemi-anechoic chamber, with the pump of an AIO at full speed. Other reviewers' noise goes in the thermal test rows.

Not available

30dB(A)10Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/110Read 14 October 202630.0 dB(A) at the 100% fan setting (1505 rpm). The single fan cannot go above 30 dB(A). Hemi-anechoic chamber with a 6 dB(A) noise floor, Bruel & Kjaer 2270 G4 analyser with a 4955-A microphone, microphone 1 m from the cooler.

Thermal tests (measured)iReviewer results, one row per test condition. Rows compare only when the test CPU, load, power and noise level match. The source note names the reviewer, ambient temperature, case or open bench, and thermal paste. Test CPU is the CPU name only, such as AMD Ryzen 9 7900X. The power limit and mode go in the load. Above ambient is stored only when the reviewer publishes it, never computed from the ambient.

ANoctua NH-L12S

Test CPU	Load	Fan setting	CPU temperature (°C)	Above ambient (°C)
Intel Core i7-14700K	3DMark Steel Nomad stress test, open bench with no case fans, maximum temperature	Not available	92	Not available
Intel Core i7-14700K	Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, open bench with no case fans, maximum temperature	Not available	86	Not available
Intel Core i7-14700K	Cinebench R23, open bench with no case fans, thermal throttling at the limit (x264 also reached 100 C)	Not available	100	Not available
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X	Gaming, Fractal Design Terra case with one extra 120 mm fan, maximum temperature	Not available	76	Not available
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X	Handbrake and Cinebench R24, Fractal Design Terra case with one extra 120 mm fan, maximum temperature	Not available	79	Not available
Intel Core i7-7700K	Asus RealBench 2.44, 60 minutes, fixed 4.2 GHz at 1.16 V, average core temperature (RealTemp) over ambient	100%	Not available	41.85
Intel Core i7-7700K	Asus RealBench 2.44, 60 minutes, overclocked to 4.7 GHz at 1.22 V, average core temperature (RealTemp) over ambient, highest of three runs	100%	Not available	53.15

Source6Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 2026EnosTech, review of 2017-11-06. Core i7-7700K on an Asus Z170-P, Noctua NT-H1 paste on every cooler, the fan at 100% (1850 RPM). Asus RealBench 2.44 stress runs of 60 minutes, RealTemp 3.70 for the core temperatures. The charts show deltas with the ambient subtracted, and the ambient is not stated. At 4.2 GHz (1.16 V) the maximum was 41.85 and at 4.7 GHz (1.22 V) 53.15, the highest average of three runs. The text also says 24 dBA at full speed, which is the maker figure, so no noise is stored.7Reviewpcgamer.com/hardware/cooling/noctua-nh-l12s-reviewRead 15 October 2026PC Gamer review of 2025-02-04. The Core i7-14700K (up to 253 W) on the usual open Intel bench with no case fans: a 92 C maximum in the 3DMark Steel Nomad stress test, 86 C in Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, and 100 C with thermal throttling in x264 and Cinebench R23. The Ryzen 7 9700X (65 W) on an Asus ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi in a Fractal Design Terra with one extra 120 mm fan: a 76 C maximum while gaming and 79 C in Handbrake and Cinebench R24. The paste, fan setting, ambient and noise are not stated. The 9700X build had the fan flipped, with 35 mm RAM room. The fan position on the 14700K bench is not stated.

BThermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

Test CPU	Load	CPU power (W)	Fan setting	Noise (dB(A))	CPU temperature (°C)
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	173.5	20 dB(A)	20	95.1
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	178.4	25 dB(A)	25	95.1
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	179.7	30 dB(A)	30	95.1
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, PBO enabled	179.7	100%	30	95.1
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, Intel default mode	295.6	20 dB(A)	20	101.7
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, Intel default mode	297	25 dB(A)	25	99.1
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, Intel default mode	296.4	30 dB(A)	30	96.7
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K	Prime95 Small FFTs, full CPU load, Intel default mode	296.4	100%	30	96.7
Intel Core i7-14700K	CPU only, no power limit, throttling at TJ Max, average package power the cooler held	225	Not available	41.9	Not available
Intel Core i7-14700K	CPU only, no power limit, noise normalized, average package power the cooler held	213	38.9 dB(A)	38.9	Not available
Intel Core i7-14700K	165 W CPU power limit with a 275 W GPU load	165	Not available	41.9	83
Intel Core i7-14700K	110 W CPU power limit with a 275 W GPU load	110	Not available	Not available	70
Intel Core i7-14700K	Cinebench, 120 W CPU power limit, noise only	120	Not available	38.9	Not available

Source9Reviewtomshardware.com/pc-components/air-cooling/thermalright-assassin-x-120-r-se-review/2Read 14 October 2026Albert Thomas, review of 2024-09-27. Intel Core i7-14700K on an MSI Z790 Project Zero in an MSI Pano 100L PZ Black case with Iceberg Thermal IceGale Silent system fans, Thermalright LGA1700 contact frame fitted, the bundled TF4 paste, ambient held at 23 C, enclosed case. Noise is read with a sound meter that cannot read below 35 dBA, and its distance is not stated. Row 1: no power limit, the CPU hits TJ Max and the reviewer records the package power the cooler held. The spec table says about 225 W (Average Maximum TDP, our testing) and the text says the cooler trailed the Noctua NH-D15 by 5 W. The 41.9 dBA maximum volume is stated for this test and for the 165 W test. Row 2: noise normalized to 38.9 dBA, cooled an average of 213 W. Rows 3 and 4: CPU power limits of 165 W and 110 W with a 275 W GPU load, average CPU temperature 83 C and 70 C. Row 5: 120 W Cinebench run where only noise is reported (38.9 dBA). The charts give no other numbers, so no more rows are stored.10Measurementcybenetics.com/evaluations/coolers/110Read 14 October 2026Cybenetics Cooling Solutions Test Protocol, ARGB edition. Ambient held at 25 C plus or minus 0.5 C and 30% humidity in a climate chamber, open test bench (Cooler Master Test Bench for AM5, DimasTech Bench for LGA1851), Prime95 Small FFTs, averages of the last 4 minutes, Arctic MX-4 paste for all tests (protocol PDF), Default mount. CPU power is measured at the EPS connectors. The report does not publish a temperature above ambient. At 20 and 25 dB(A) the rows use the report's fixed noise levels, and the 100% row has the same values as the 30 dB(A) row because 100% gives 30.0 dB(A).11Measurementcybenetics.com/data/Cybenetics%20Cooling%20Solutions%20Test%20Protocol_en.pdfRead 14 October 2026Test Protocol Revision 2.2: Prime95 Small FFTs for at least 10 minutes per level, values averaged over the last 4 minutes, ambient 25 C plus or minus 0.5 C, humidity 30%, Arctic MX-4 for all tests, one mount per platform, AMD test system Ryzen 9 7900X with PBO enabled and Intel test system Core Ultra 9 285K in Intel default mode. The 2025 test of this cooler used the older Revision 1.8 procedure.

Dimensions and weight

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DimensionsiAir coolers only. The cooler with its included fans in the standard position, without the mounting kit. Height runs from the bottom of the base to the top. Depth runs along the airflow, fans included. Width runs across the fins. Map by direction, not by letter. Width runs across the fins, depth runs along the airflow. DeepCool's 129 x 138 x 160 mm (L x W x H) is width 129, depth 138, height 160.

Width128Height70Depth146mm(5 × 2.8 × 5.7 in)1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Height (with fan) 70 mm, width 128 mm, depth 146 mm. The 70 mm is the low-profile mode with the fan underneath the fins. With the fan on top the launch data sheet gives 87 mm and the text 85 to 95 mm depending on the fan.

Width120Height148Depth71mm(4.7 × 5.8 × 2.8 in)12Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00582147.htmlRead 14 October 2026LDLC, fan included: height 148 mm, width 71 mm, depth 120 mm. LDLC's width is the 46 mm heatsink plus the 25 mm fan along the airflow, so depth_mm is 71 and width_mm is 120. Cybenetics measured 149 x 72 x 120 mm for the ARGB edition.

Heatsink dimensionsiAir coolers only. The heatsink without fans, as the maker lists it. Map by direction, not by letter. Width runs across the fins, depth runs along the airflow. DeepCool's 129 x 138 x 160 mm (L x W x H) is width 129, depth 138, height 160. A heatsink depth that equals the depth with fans includes the fan, so that axis is not stored.

Width128Height70Depth146mm(5 × 2.8 × 5.7 in)1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Height (without fan) 70 mm, width 128 mm, depth 146 mm. The fan sits inside the fin stack footprint, so the sizes with and without it are equal.

Width120Height148Depth46mm(4.7 × 5.8 × 1.8 in)1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026Heatsink Specifications: L120 mm x W46 mm x H148 mm. L runs across the fins and W along the airflow, so width 120, depth 46 and height 148. The fan is listed in its own table, so this is the heatsink without the fan.

WeightiAn air cooler with its included fans. An AIO cooler as one unit with pump block, tubes, radiator and fans. Mounting hardware is left out when the maker states it separately. When one maker figure may include the mounting kit, such as a press release net weight above the product page figure, the product page figure is stored. An RGB edition can weigh a little more or less, so it is per variant.

520g(1.1 lb)1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Weight (with fan) 520 g.

750g(1.7 lb)12Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00582147.htmlRead 14 October 2026LDLC, Black model: weight 750 g. This equals the maker's heatsink 630 g plus fan 120 g. Cybenetics lists 604 g for the ARGB edition, which is lower than the maker's 630 g heatsink figure, so its weighing basis is unclear and it is not stored.

Heatsink weightiAir coolers only. The heatsink without fans.

390g(13.8 oz)1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Weight (without fan) 390 g.

630g(1.4 lb)1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026Heatsink Specifications: Weight 630g. The TL-C12C fan is listed separately at 120 g. The PLUS page (two fans) states 640g (Without Fan), which confirms the figure is without fans.

In the box

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In the boxiItems supplied with this exact model, verbatim.

1x NF-A12x15 PWM premium fan, Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.), NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound, SecuFirm2 mounting kit, Noctua metal case-badge, Screwdriver1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Accessories: 1x NF-A12x15 PWM premium fan, Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.), NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound, SecuFirm2 mounting kit, Noctua metal case-badge. EnosTech and Basic Tutorials add the screwdriver.6Reviewenostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-reviewRead 15 October 2026Accessories: Noctua metal badge, 1x screwdriver, NT-H1, Low-Noise Adapter NA-RC7, AMD and Intel mounting parts.

Heatsink x1, Fan x1, LGA115x/1700 back plate x1, INTEL/AM4 bracket x2, Intel screw x4, AM4 screw x4, 115X / 1200 standoff x4, AM4 standoff x4, Thermal grease x1, Fan clip x2, 17XX standoff x43Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/ASSASSINX120REFINEDSE.pdfRead 14 October 2026One-page installation guide for the Assassin X 120 Refined SE series, parts list A to L, quantities as printed. FAN x1 is the single-fan model and (PLUS x2) is the two-fan model. Item I, Wire x1, is marked use for plus, so it is not stored. The ARGB, White and White ARGB guides show the same list.

Links

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Product page

noctua.at/en/nh-l12s4Maker product pagenoctua.at/en/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Noctua's product page. The page was not opened. It is stored as the product link only. No value comes from it.

www.thermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-se1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/assassin-x-120-refined-seRead 14 October 2026

Spec sheet

gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdf2Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026Noctua's data sheet for the NH-L12S, hosted by Geizhals. It is an older revision: sockets end at LGA2066, LGA2011 and AM4, and the RAM text says 45 mm.

Not available

Manual

Not available

download.thermalright.com/manuals/ASSASSINX120REFINEDSE.pdf3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/ASSASSINX120REFINEDSE.pdfRead 14 October 2026

EPREL registration numberiId in the EU energy label database. Each size or model of a series has its own id, so it is per variant.

Not available

Not available

Warranty

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Manufacturer warranty (source market)iThe maker's warranty period for the exact SKU or configuration and market named in the source note. It applies only to that stated market, not every regional variant. Statutory consumer rights are excluded. The base term is stored. An extension that needs registration goes in the source note.

6years1Retailer pagequietpc.com/nh-l12sRead 15 October 2026Noctua spec table copy: Warranty 72 months, and the text says a full 6-year manufacturer's warranty. No market is named.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdfRead 15 October 2026Warranty 6 Years.

Not available

Both are also in the API. Back to all CPU coolers.