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SetupGearGuide

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

ThermalrightbeginnerBest Valuecritical fields covered· 3/3 detail specs sourced
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is the dual-tower air cooler that built Thermalright's giant-killer reputation, an unusually capable beginner-tier part on cooling-per-dollar alone. With AM4/AM5/LGA1700/LGA1851 support it fits nearly any modern build. Watch the 155mm height against compact cases needing roughly 157mm clearance, and don't lean on it for 250W-plus flagship CPUs where a beefier solution earns its keep.

Scores

Breakdown
Overall72±3

Caliber-forward blend — tier caliber + within-tier price rank 30%, value 25%, confidence 20%, compatibility 15%, upgrade path 10% — renormalized over applicable dimensions.

Beginner Friendliness95
Compatibility92
Confidence82
Pro Readiness31
Upgrade Path70
Value95

The ± band on the overall score reflects sourcing confidence — wider when fewer specs are verified.

How each score is computed: our scoring methodology.

Specifications

SpecValueVerification
cooler typeairSourced
socket supportAM4, AM5, LGA1700, LGA1851Sourced
height (mm)155Sourced

3/3 detail specs sourced. Amber rows are flagged for verification — we show them as reported, not confirmed.

Verdict

Best for

  • The budget dual-tower that embarrassed premium-tier coolers

Who should skip this

  • Compact cases under ~157mm clearance; 250W+ flagship CPUs

Where to buy

List price $36

Prices are a guide and can change — confirm the current price on the retailer's site before buying.

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Prices last checked Jun 14, 2026 — retailer prices change often, so click through for the current price.

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Ecosystem

AMD AM4 (compatible)AMD AM5 (compatible)Intel LGA1700 (compatible)Intel LGA1851 (compatible)

Compatibility

Built around AMD AM4, AMD AM5, Intel LGA1700, Intel LGA1851. Make sure the rest of your build uses the same platform before you buy — mismatched sockets, mounts or standards are the most common return reason. Check it in the builder →

Upgrade path

A solid beginner pick that carries into higher-tier setups as your needs grow.