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Noctua NH-U12S redux vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE is the stronger cooler for most people: two fans and six heatpipes give it noticeably more capacity for hot, high-wattage CPUs. The NH-U12S redux is the simpler, lighter single-tower design, and Noctua's mounting hardware and long-term support are the reasons owners stay loyal. Reviewers consistently rate the Thermalright as the better value in raw cooling, while Noctua wins on build refinement, noise character and ease of installation.

  • Choose the Noctua NH-U12S redux if you want a light, quiet single-fan tower with proven mounting hardware and a brand with a long record of free socket upgrade kits.
  • Choose the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE if you run a hot multi-core CPU and want the most cooling capacity for the size and weight.

Prices

  • Noctua NH-U12S redux: $61.68 at anafrashop.com (last seen Nov 13)
  • Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: $31.49 at Amazon (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is $30.19 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
  • Quiet at full speed and near-silent with the low-noise adapter
  • Light at 755 g, easier on the motherboard
  • Noctua mounting hardware is simple and sturdy
  • Long record of free mounting kits for new sockets
Cons
  • One fan and five heatpipes limit headroom on hot CPUs
  • Brown and beige fan color divides opinion
  • Fan clips sit close to tall memory heatsinks
Thermalright
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Air Cooler

$31.49at 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
  • Two fans and six heatpipes handle high-wattage CPUs
  • Rated for 245 W TDP, enough for most enthusiast chips
  • Aluminum top cover gives a cleaner look
  • Fits AM4, AM5, LGA 1700 and older Intel sockets
Cons
  • Louder than the Noctua at full fan speed
  • Over 1 kg puts more load on the board
  • Dual tower can block tall RAM unless the front fan is raised
  • Fan curve tuning matters more to keep it quiet

What separates them

Noctua NH-U12S reduxThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Heatpipes5 heatpipes at 6 mm6 heatpipes at 6 mm with AGHP 3.0
FansOne 120 mm PWM fan, 1500 rpm maxTwo 120 mm TL-C12 PWM fans, 1500 rpm max
Rated cooling capacityNot published by Noctua245 W TDP
NoiseAbout 22 dB max, low-noise adapter drops to 1200 rpmUp to 25.6 dB at full speed
Weight755 g1.02 kg
Height158 mm157 mm
Memory clearanceSingle tower, fan sits close to tall RAMDual tower with front fan that can be raised for tall RAM
Mounting and supportNoctua SecuFirm2 bracket, free socket upgrade kitsStandard bracket for AM4, AM5, LGA 1700 and older Intel sockets

Price history

  • Noctua NH-U12S redux: lowest $59.95 on Nov 13 at Amazon.
  • Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: lowest $31.49 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 Peerless Assassin 120 SE

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by GIIZHMYReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $48.99Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Walmart
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $49.90Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Newegg
  • Zaytoun SolutionsNew

    In stock

    $51.06Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Zaytoun Solutions
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

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

    $31.49Checked Nov 13
    Visit Amazon

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

All 6 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNoctua NH-U12S reduxThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Height158mm157mm
Fan size120mm120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches)
Fan connector4-pin PWM4pin
Noise Level22.4 dB<=25.6dB
Width with fan125mm—
Fin depth45mm—
Max fan speed1500rpm—
Low-noise fan speed1200rpm—
Weight755 g—
Number of heatpipes5—
Heatpipe diameter6 mm—
Max noise level22.10 dB—
Show all 23 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNoctua NH-U12S reduxThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Airflow93.40 m³/h—
ColorBrown—
Fan Diameter120 mm fan diameter—
Cooler dimensions—125(L)x135(W)x157(H)mm (4.92x5.31x6.18 inch)
Product weight—1.02kg(2.25lb)
Fan speed—1500rpm+-10%
Fan voltage—12V
Air flow—66.17CFM(MAX)
Heat pipes—6×6mm heat pipes
Cooling capacity

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.

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Reviewers and owners widely praise the Peerless Assassin 120 SE as one of the best-value air coolers, with cooling close to much more expensive dual-tower models. Complaints center on installation fuss and clearance in tight builds.

What people mention
  • Cooling performancePraisedOwners say it keeps high-TDP CPUs cool under sustained gaming and rendering loads.
  • NoisePraisedReviewers describe it as quiet at normal fan speeds, with noise only noticeable near full RPM.
  • ValuePraisedReviewers repeatedly call it the best cooling per dollar among dual-tower air coolers.
  • InstallationMixedSome builders find the mounting and fan clips fiddly, while others say setup is straightforward.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a high-end gaming CPU?
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE. Its two fans and six heatpipes give it more capacity for chips that pull well over 150 W. The NH-U12S redux handles mid-range CPUs fine but runs out of headroom sooner.
Which one is quieter?
The Noctua. It is rated around 22 dB and the included low-noise adapter caps the fan at 1200 rpm. The Thermalright reaches about 25.6 dB with both fans at full speed, though a custom fan curve narrows the gap.
Will either block my RAM?
The NH-U12S redux is a single tower, so only the fan side matters and low-profile RAM clears it. The Peerless Assassin's front fan can be slid up for tall RGB sticks, which adds a few millimeters to its height.
Do both fit the same sockets?
Both cover AM4, AM5 and Intel LGA 1700. Noctua also ships free mounting kits for future sockets, which is a real advantage if you plan to upgrade platforms later.
Is the Noctua worth stepping up to over the Thermalright?
Step up if you value quiet operation, lighter weight and long-term mounting support more than raw cooling. If your priority is keeping a hot CPU cool, the Thermalright does more of that.
Which lasts longer?
Both use sealed fluid-bearing fans and should run for years. Noctua's reputation for support and spare parts is stronger, but the Thermalright has no known short-life pattern.

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245W
Heat dissipation area—9600cm²