Thermalright PS120SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler, 7 Heat Pipes, Dual 120 mm PWM Fans

Seven heat pipes and two 120 mm PWM fans work together to move heat away from your CPU, supporting steady cooling for a desktop build. The PS120SE ARGB adds configurable lighting through a separate 5V 3-pin ARGB connection. Choose it for a dual-fan air-cooling setup, a simpler single-fan cooler may suit a different build. Its 154 mm height is a useful case-clearance check before installation.

The essentials

The PS120SE ARGB combines an aluminium heatsink with a copper base and seven 6 mm heat pipes. Its two TL-C12B-S V2 fans use S-FDB bearings and PWM control, with a maximum speed of 1,500 rpm ±10%, airflow up to 66.17 CFM and a stated noise level of ≤25.6 dB(A). The fan power connection is 4-pin, while the lighting uses a 5V 3-pin ARGB connection, so cooling and lighting have separate connectors.

For a system build or CPU cooler replacement, the dual-fan layout gives you an air-cooling option with more than one fan moving air through the heatsink. The black anodized top gives the cooler a defined finish inside a windowed case, while ARGB lighting can be connected through a compatible 5V 3-pin header. Buyers often praise its cooling and describe installation as straightforward, comments on noise are mixed, so sound impressions vary.

Tips for day-to-day use

Before fitting the cooler, check that your case supports a 154 mm-tall CPU cooler and identify the mounting hardware for your processor socket. The fan connects to a 4-pin header, and the lighting lead uses a 5V 3-pin ARGB connection. Keeping those connections distinct makes it easier to plan the build and connect the fan and lighting to the appropriate headers.

In everyday use, PWM fans are suited to a PC build where fan speed is managed through the system’s fan control. The two-fan arrangement and aluminium fin stack make the cooler relevant for a desktop used for gaming, work or general computing, where CPU heat needs to be carried away from the processor. If you are comparing this with a basic single-fan air cooler, the PS120SE ARGB’s defining difference is its dual 120 mm fan configuration and seven heat pipes.

Best use cases

This cooler supports AMD AM4 and AM5, and Intel LGA1700, 1851, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156 and 1200 sockets. It is a practical fit for a new desktop build or a compatible system that needs a CPU air cooler with PWM fans and ARGB lighting. For example, when assembling a gaming PC, you can connect the fans to the 4-pin fan header and the lighting to a compatible 5V 3-pin ARGB header, then check case clearance before securing the heatsink.

Questions before you buy

Which processor sockets does it support? The listed sockets are AMD AM4 and AM5, plus Intel LGA1700, 1851, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156 and 1200. Use the mounting plate or fasteners provided for the relevant platform.

How do the fans and lighting connect? The fans use a 4-pin power connection. ARGB lighting uses a separate 5V 3-pin connection, so the system needs the corresponding header for the lighting.

How much case clearance should I allow? The cooler is 154 mm tall. Check your case’s CPU-cooler clearance against that height when planning the build.

Is it worth it?

For a desktop build that calls for a compatible air cooler with seven heat pipes, dual 120 mm PWM fans and ARGB lighting, the PS120SE ARGB brings those features together in one CPU cooling assembly. Its socket support covers a range of AMD and Intel platforms, making it worth considering when those connections and the 154 mm height suit your planned PC.