Head-to-head · Best Cpu Air Coolers

Noctua NH-D15 vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Noctua NH-D15 and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini score essentially the same (4.0 vs 4.0). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #4 in Best Cpu Air Coolers

Noctua NH-D15

4.0

8 sources1 derived$159.95as of Oct 2

GamersNexus reviewed the Noctua NH-D15 G2 as the company's first major dual-tower cooler since 2014, noting it's the most expensive air cooler tested at $150. The cooler features 8 heatpipes and three cold plate variants designed for different CPU IHS styles. While it offers strong thermal performance and acoustic benefits with its new NF-A14 G2 fans, reviewers found it less performant and more costly than competing liquid coolers. This makes it best suited for users prioritizing air cooling over liquid solutions, though those seeking maximum performance may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Features 8 heatpipes for improved thermal performance
— Includes three cold plate variants (HBC, LBC, Standard) for optimized CPU compatibility
— NF-A14 G2 fans use PPA/PPB design to reduce beat frequency phenomenon

Watch-outs

— More expensive than some top liquid coolers, such as the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360
— Less performant than competing liquid coolers

$159.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Cpu Air Coolers

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini

4.0

2 sourcesall derived$34.39as of Oct 2

Thermalright's Peerless Assassin Mini delivers exceptional thermal performance in a compact form factor, making it ideal for small-case builds. Machines & More praised its sturdy construction and strong cooling ability despite its reduced size. The cooler features a single 120mm fan with fluid dynamic bearing and is priced at $35, matching the full-size version's cost without discount. While it lacks the premium features of some competitors, its performance justifies the price for users needing a compact solution.

Strengths

— Performs extremely well considering its compact size reduction
— Maintains high-quality materials and sturdy construction despite small stature
— Single 120mm fan with fluid dynamic bearing for quiet operation

Watch-outs

— No price cut from the full-size Peerless Assassin despite size reduction
— Capped fan speed at 1500 RPM compared to Silver Soul 135's 1850 RPM

$34.39 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Noctua NH-D15

The Noctua NH-D15 offers 8 heatpipes and advanced fan technology but is more expensive than the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE and lacks the performance of liquid coolers. Compared to the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, it's less quiet and more costly, though it provides superior thermal performance for users who prefer air cooling over liquid solutions.

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini stands out for its compact design that maintains high performance, but it's priced the same as the full-size version, making it less economical than the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE which offers an extra heat pipe and better value. Unlike the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, it lacks dual fans and has a single 120mm fan capped at 1500 RPM compared to the Pure Rock Pro 3's dual 120mm fans with higher airflow.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Noctua NH-D15	Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini
Cooler Type	Air Cooler	Dual Towers
Heat Pipes	8	6 x 6mm
Fan Size	NF-A14 G2 x2	120mm TL D2B
Price	$150	—
Height	168 mm	135 mm
Noise Level	24.6 dB(A)	25.6 dBA
Compatibility	AM5, AM4, LGA1700, LGA1851, LGA1954, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1200	Intel: LGA115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066 AMD: AM4/AM5
Dimensions	5.98"L x 5.91"W x 6.61"H	4.33"L x 5.31"W x 4.92"H
Voltage	12 volts	12 volts
Wattage	2.28 watts	—
Material	Copper, nickel plated	Aluminum

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