CPU coolers / Compare

Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

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Assassin X 120 Refined SE

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B

Product B: Thermalright

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

25 of 54 known

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Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AThermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

BThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

General

5 of 12 differ

Series

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

Peerless Assassin1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Category: Peerless Assassin.

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

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).

PA120 SE 17003Retailer pagewatercoolinguk.co.uk/product/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-se-cpu-cooler-120mmRead 16 October 2026MPN: PA120 SE 1700. This is the retailer's manufacturer part number, not printed on Thermalright's page.

GTIN / EAN

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.

08142560037593Retailer pagewatercoolinguk.co.uk/product/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-se-cpu-cooler-120mmRead 16 October 2026EAN 0814256003759. Paradigit lists the same number as 814256003759 under Product number manufacturer.

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

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Status

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

Available3Retailer pagewatercoolinguk.co.uk/product/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-se-cpu-cooler-120mmRead 16 October 202650 in stock on the access date at 33.11 GBP excluding VAT. Thermalright's page is live.

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

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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

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

$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.

$364Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Spec table, supplied by Thermalright: MSRP $36 USD. The review is dated September 2022, so this is the US MSRP at that time and may not be the launch price. Tax is not stated.

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.

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

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ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

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.

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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.

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

Air1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026

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

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

Dual tower1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Listed under Dual Towers in the Peerless Assassin series.

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

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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.

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.

Nickel-plated copper1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Copper Base: C1100 Pure copper nickel plated.

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

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.

Included2Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/PEERLESSASSASSIN120SE.pdfRead 16 October 2026Parts list item J: Thermal Grease x1. The steps say to apply thermal grease on the CPU. Tom's Hardware names a medium-sized tube of thermal paste.4Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026A medium-sized tube of thermal paste is in the package.

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, 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.

AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA11501Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Intel 115X/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5. 115X is written as LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156. The older installation guide covers AM4, 115X/1200 and 1700 only. The page names AM5 and 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.

Not available

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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.

Not available

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Heatsink

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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.

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

61Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Heat pipes: 6mm heatpipe x 6 units.

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

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

6mm1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026

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

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.

Not available

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

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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

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Radiator material

Not available

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Fans

2 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.

AThermalright 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.

BThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Model	Size (mm)	Fans	Max speed (rpm)	Airflow (CFM)	Static pressure (mmH₂O)	Noise (claimed) (dB(A))	Bearing	Connector
TL-C12C	120	2	1,550	66.17	1.53	25.6	Fluid dynamic (FDB)	4-pin PWM

Source1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026TL-C12C fan spec: 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 120 g each, rated speed 1550 RPM +/-10% (MAX), noise 25.6 dBA, air flow 66.17 CFM (MAX), air pressure 1.53 mm H2O (MAX), 0.20 A, 4 pin PWM connector, S-FDB bearing. S-FDB is stored as fluid dynamic. The page gives no minimum speed. Two fans come in the box per the installation guide parts list.2Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/PEERLESSASSASSIN120SE.pdfRead 16 October 2026Parts list item B: Fan x2, and item C: Fan Y-cable x1 that joins both fans to one PWM header.4Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026The package includes 2x TL-C12C 120mm fans. The fan table repeats Thermalright's figures: 1550 RPM +/-10%, 66.17 CFM, 1.53 mm H2O, 25.6 dB(A).

FansiNumber of included heatsink or radiator fans.

1=CalculatedFrom Included fans

2=CalculatedFrom Included fans

Display and lighting

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

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.

No4Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026The fan spec table lists Lighting: None, and the text says there is no RGB or lighting at all.

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.

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.

None4Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026The review describes a dual-tower heatsink with two plain fans and no screen.

Screen sizeiDiagonal of the built-in screen.

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Screen resolution

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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.

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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.

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.

No2Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/PEERLESSASSASSIN120SE.pdfRead 16 October 2026The Fan Wiring panel shows only the 4-pin PWM CPU_FAN header, with a Y-cable for two fans. No USB connection is shown.

Measured

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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.

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.

Not available

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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).

Not available

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.

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.

Not available

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.

AThermalright 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.

BThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Test CPU	Load	CPU power (W)	Fan setting	Above ambient (°C)
Intel Core i9-12900K	Cinebench with a 200 W CPU power limit, 10 minute run, be quiet! Silent Base 802 case	200	default motherboard fan curve	61
Intel Core i9-12900K	OCCT small data set with a 200 W CPU power limit, 10 minute run, be quiet! Silent Base 802 case	200	default motherboard fan curve	64

Source4Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Albert Thomas, review last updated 27 September 2022. Intel Core i9-12900K on an MSI Z690 A-Pro DDR4 in a be quiet! Silent Base 802 case. Each stress test ran 10 minutes with the fans on the motherboard's default fan curve. Row 1: Cinebench with a 200 W CPU power limit, the CPU averaged 61 degrees C over ambient. Row 2: OCCT small data set at 200 W, 64 degrees C over ambient. The ambient temperature, the paste and whether the case was closed are not stated. Noise and the other rows (95 W, 140 W, 50 percent fan speed) are only in chart images, so they are not stored.

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.

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.

Width125Height155Depth135mm(4.9 × 6.1 × 5.3 in)3Retailer pagewatercoolinguk.co.uk/product/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-se-cpu-cooler-120mmRead 16 October 2026Technical details: Dimensions with fan 125 x 155 x 135 mm (W x H x D) and without fan 125 x 155 x 110 mm. The without-fan figure matches Thermalright's heatsink size, and the 25 mm front fan explains the extra 25 mm of depth. Paradigit prints 138 mm of depth with a width of 120 mm, which does not match Thermalright's 125 mm, so it is not used.

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.

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.

Width125Height155Depth110mm(4.9 × 6.1 × 4.3 in)1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Heatsink Specifications: L125 mm x W110 mm x H155 mm. L runs across the fins and W along the airflow of this dual-tower cooler, so width 125, depth 110 and height 155.

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.

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.

970g(2.1 lb)3Retailer pagewatercoolinguk.co.uk/product/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-se-cpu-cooler-120mmRead 16 October 2026Technical details: Weight with fan 970 g and without fan 730 g (the page prints Weight with fan twice). 970 g equals the heatsink 730 g plus two 120 g fans. Tom's Hardware lists a net weight of 850 g, which fits one fan and is not used.

Heatsink weightiAir coolers only. The heatsink without fans.

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.

730g(1.6 lb)1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Heatsink Specifications: Weight 730g.

In the box

1 of 1 differ

In the boxiItems supplied with this exact model, verbatim.

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.

Heatsink x1, Fan x2, Fan Y-cable x1, AMD bracket x2, Intel bracket x2, Intel 115X/1200 back plate x1, Fan clip x4, 115X/1200 standoff x4, Intel screw x4, Thermal grease x1, AM4 standoff x4, AM4 screw x4, LGA17XX back plate x1, 17XX standoff x4, Installation guide2Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/PEERLESSASSASSIN120SE.pdfRead 16 October 2026Parts List items A to N as printed, quantities kept. The guide's item F is the Intel 115X/1200 back plate and M the LGA17XX back plate. The Installation guide line comes from the Tom's Hardware package list, wording shortened.4Reviewtomshardware.com/reviews/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026Package list: dual-tower heatsink, 2x TL-C12C fans, mounts for modern Intel and AMD platforms, a medium-sized tube of thermal paste, a fan splitter and an installation guide.

Links

Not compared

Product page

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

www.thermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-se1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/peerless-assassin-120-seRead 16 October 2026

Spec sheet

Not available

Not available

Manual

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

download.thermalright.com/manuals/PEERLESSASSASSIN120SE.pdf2Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/PEERLESSASSASSIN120SE.pdfRead 16 October 2026One-page folded installation guide (English and Chinese), PDF dated November 2021.

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

None of 1 known

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.

Not available

Not available

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