Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler, Dual 120 mm Fans
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Product description
For a desktop build that needs an air cooler, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE combines a dual-tower heatsink with two 120 mm fans. Six heat pipes with AGHP technology transfer heat through the aluminium heatsink. PWM fan control provides a practical way to manage cooling as your PC is in use.
Usage tips
Check that your processor uses a supported socket before fitting the cooler: it is compatible with AMD AM4 and AM5, and Intel LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1200 and LGA1700. Its 155 mm height is a useful measurement when planning the cooler’s position inside a desktop case. The fans use 4-pin PWM connectors, so connect them to the appropriate fan headers on your motherboard.
The asymmetrical layout is designed to leave room for memory, while also allowing installation at the first graphics card slot. This makes the cooler relevant when arranging a build around RAM and graphics card placement. For example, in a new desktop build, you can plan the cooler, memory and graphics card positions together rather than treating CPU cooling as a separate decision. Compared with a compact, single-fan air cooler, the Peerless Assassin 120 SE’s defining layout is its dual tower, six heat pipes and two fans.
Spec sheet
- Type: CPU air cooler
- Heatsink material: Aluminium
- Heat pipes: 6 × 6 mm with AGHP technology
- Fans: 2 × TL-C12C PWM, 120 × 120 × 25 mm
- Fan speed: 1,550 RPM ± 10%
- Airflow: 66.17 CFM (maximum)
- Noise level: ≤ 25.6 dB(A)
- Connector: 4-pin
- Voltage: 12 V
- Dimensions: 125 × 135 × 155 mm
- Compatibility: AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700
- Part number: PA120 SE-D6-DE
What stands out
The two TL-C12C PWM fans work with the dual-tower heatsink and six heat pipes to form a substantial air-cooling arrangement for a desktop processor. AGHP technology is designed to reduce the effect of mounting direction on heat-pipe performance, giving builders more flexibility when positioning the cooler in different case layouts. The anodised brushed black top cover adds a defined finish to the heatsink.
Buyers often highlight the cooler’s cooling performance and quiet operation, and some describe it as good value for money. These are individual impressions, but they offer useful context for shoppers weighing a straightforward air-cooling setup with two fans against a more compact single-fan design. The listed maximum speed, airflow and noise figures also help when comparing CPU coolers on their stated specifications.
Final verdict
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is suited to desktop builders looking for a dual-fan air cooler with broad support for listed AMD and Intel sockets. Its six heat pipes, PWM fans and memory-conscious layout make it a practical choice for planning CPU cooling alongside the rest of a PC build.