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Head-to-head · Best Cpu Air Coolers

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini vs Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

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

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about users wanting high-performing air coolers with aesthetic integration — read the strengths below before deciding.

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini
Ranked #5 in Best Cpu Air Coolers
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Mini
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 AmazonFull review →
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Cpu Air Coolers
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
3 sources1 derived$35.9as of Oct 2

Tom's Hardware reviewed the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE as an updated version of the popular Peerless Assassin, noting it includes an extra heat pipe and improved design elements. The cooler offers flexible airflow direction with regular and reverse fan modes, and features clean aesthetics that integrate well with case cable management. While it's priced competitively and outperforms the Peerless Assassin in some areas, only the 120 SE variant was tested, and no white or matte black finishes are currently available. This cooler is best suited for users seeking a high-performing air cooler with good build quality and aesthetic integration.

Strengths
  • — Features an additional heat pipe compared to the Peerless Assassin
  • — Includes both regular and reverse fan modes for flexible airflow direction
  • — Well-built with clean aesthetics and cable management integration
Watch-outs
  • — Only one model in the Phantom Spirit lineup tested (the 120 SE variant)
  • — Limited color options with no white or matte black versions currently available
$35.9 · Check Price on AmazonFull 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

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.

Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE

The Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE surpasses the Peerless Assassin 120 Mini with an extra heat pipe and better airflow direction, but it's more expensive than the Arctic Freezer 36. Unlike the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, it features a single-tower design with a more accessible fan mount, though it lacks the dual-fan setup and premium quiet operation of the Pure Rock Pro 3.

Specs side-by-side

SpecThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 MiniThermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Height135 mm154 mm
Heat Pipes6 x 6mm4
Fan Size120mm TL D2B120 mm
Noise Level25.6 dBA25.6 dBA
CompatibilityIntel: LGA115X/1200/1700/1851/2011/2066 AMD: AM4/AM5Intel: LGA115X/1200/1700/1851 AMD: AM4/AM5
Cooler TypeDual TowersDual Towers
Dimensions4.33"L x 5.31"W x 4.92"H4.8"L x 4.49"W x 6.1"H
Voltage12 volts12 volts
MaterialAluminumCopper
Price—Under $40
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