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Noctua NH-U12S redux vs Thermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler

The Noctua NH-U12S redux is the safer pick for quiet builds and buyers who value a proven, long-supported design. The Thermalright Assassin 120 SE (无暇刺客 120 SE) adds a sixth heatpipe, higher fan speed and a rated 265 W cooling capacity, so it handles hotter CPUs better on paper. Noctua is known for tight mounting, excellent fans and long socket support; Thermalright is known for strong cooling per size with plainer accessories and louder fans.

  • Choose the Noctua NH-U12S redux if you want the quietest, most refined 120 mm tower with easy mounting and long-term parts support.
  • Choose the Thermalright Assassin 120 SE if you run a high-wattage CPU and want maximum cooling headroom from a 120 mm tower.

Prices

  • Noctua NH-U12S redux: $61.68 at anafrashop.com (last seen Nov 13)
  • Thermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler: $34.90 at Amazon (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the Thermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler is $26.78 cheaper than the Noctua NH-U12S redux at the latest prices (Nov 13)
Noctua
Noctua NH-U12S redux CPU Cooler

Noctua NH-U12S redux

Noctua NH-U12S redux CPU Cooler

$61.68at anafrashop.comChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit anafrashop.com
Pros
  • Very quiet at full speed
  • Proven SecuFirm mounting and long kit support
  • Low-noise adapter included
  • Strong build and fan quality
Cons
  • Five heatpipes and lower airflow cap heavy overclocking
  • Brown and beige color limits build themes
  • Taller at 158 mm
Thermalright
Thermalright 无暇刺客 120 SE CPU 冷却器

Thermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler

Thermalright 无暇刺客 120 SE CPU 冷却器

$34.90at AmazonChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Six heatpipes and 265 W rating suit hot CPUs
  • Higher airflow and fan speed
  • Black finish fits more builds
  • Slightly shorter at 155 mm
Cons
  • Louder at full speed
  • Fewer included accessories than Noctua
  • Socket list is narrower for older boards

What separates them

Noctua NH-U12S reduxThermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler
Heatpipes5 pipes at 6 mm6 pipes
Rated cooling capacityNot published by Noctua265 W
Max fan speed1500 rpm (1200 rpm low-noise mode)1550 rpm
NoiseAbout 22 dB at maxAbout 25.6 dB at max
Airflow93.4 m³/h (about 55 CFM)66.17 CFM
Height158 mm155 mm
Fan control4-pin PWM with low-noise adapter4-pin PWM
Socket coverageBroad Intel and AMD support through Noctua's mounting kitsLGA 1150/1151/1200/1700/1851 and AM4/AM5

Price history

  • Noctua NH-U12S redux: lowest $59.95 on Nov 13 at Amazon.
  • Thermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler: lowest $34.90 on Nov 13 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Noctua NH-U12S redux

  • Quiet PCNew

    In stock

    $77.12+ $42.99 shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Quiet PC
  • anafrashop.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $61.68Checked Nov 13
    Visit anafrashop.com
  • SabrePC.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $68.07Checked Nov 13
    Visit SabrePC.com
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $74.95Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 8 stores and price history →

Thermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler

  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $49.90Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Newegg
  • SearsNew

    In stockSold by Mac Marvel's

    $60.85Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Sears
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by killerdealpicklestoo

    $62.95Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $34.90Checked Nov 13
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 4 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNoctua NH-U12S reduxThermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler
Fan size120mm120mm
Airflow93.40 m³/h66.17 Cubic Feet Per Minute
ColorBrownBlack
Noise Level22.4 dB25.6 dB
Height158mm—
Width with fan125mm—
Fin depth45mm—
Max fan speed1500rpm—
Low-noise fan speed1200rpm—
Fan connector4-pin PWM—
Weight755 g—
Number of heatpipes5—
Show all 26 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNoctua NH-U12S reduxThermalright Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler
Heatpipe diameter6 mm—
Max noise level22.10 dB—
Fan Diameter120 mm fan diameter—
Fan speed—1550 RPM
Heat pipes—6
Heatsink dimensions—125x135x155mm
Power connector—4-Pin
Voltage—12 Volts
Cooling capacity—265 watts
Intel sockets

What reviewers say

Noctua NH-U12S redux

Owners of the redux line generally praise the quiet fan, simple install and Noctua mounting, and treat it as a sensible value air cooler. Criticism centers on the stripped accessory bundle and the fact that it is a single-fan, single-tower design.

What people mention
  • NoisePraisedOwners say the 120mm fan stays quiet at idle and moderate loads and is tolerable at full speed.
  • InstallationPraisedBuyers describe the Noctua mounting as clear and easy to fit.
  • AccessoriesCriticisedReviewers note the redux bundle is leaner than the standard NH-U12S, with no second fan bracket.
  • Cooling capacityMixedIt handles mainstream CPUs well, but owners say a single tower and fan leave less headroom for very hot chips.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a high-wattage Intel or AMD CPU?
The Thermalright Assassin 120 SE. Its six heatpipes and 265 W rating give it more headroom on hot chips like the Core i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9.
Which runs quieter?
The Noctua NH-U12S redux. Its 22 dB rating and 1200 rpm low-noise mode beat the Thermalright's 25.6 dB at full speed.
Will either fit my case?
Check clearance: the Noctua is 158 mm tall and the Thermalright 155 mm. Both need a case rated for coolers around 160 mm.
Is the Noctua worth stepping up to over the Thermalright?
Yes if quiet operation, mounting quality and long-term socket kits matter more than raw cooling capacity. The Thermalright wins on cooling headroom.
Do both support AM5 and LGA 1700?
Yes. The Thermalright lists AM4/AM5 and LGA 1700/1851; Noctua supports these through its mounting kits.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best CPU coolers for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
—
LGA 1150/1151/1200/1700/1851
AMD sockets—AM4/AM5
Fan—Active
Fan Size (mm)—120
PWM Fan Control—Yes