Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black
420 AIO
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB
Air tower
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black lands at 90 and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB at 92. That puts Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testThermals
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGBCompared on the thermals sub-score
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB leads on thermals (92 vs 90).
Install
TieCompared on the install sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Noise
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGBCompared on the noise sub-score
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB leads on noise (88 vs 86).
Value for money
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB more score per dollar ($35 vs $349).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 420 AIO | Air tower |
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
FAQ: Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB
Which is better, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB? +
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black worth the price? +
At $349, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Is Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB worth the price? +
At $35, Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in thermals.
Does Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for thermals, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB? +
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB — leads on thermals (92 vs 90). Compared on the thermals sub-score.
Which is better for noise, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB? +
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB — leads on noise (88 vs 86). Compared on the noise sub-score.