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Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT — 420mm AIO · 2200 RPM · iCUE LINK
Corsair

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT

420mm AIO · 2200 RPM · iCUE LINK

89
/ 100
From $309
VS
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE wins by 3
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE — Air tower
Thermalright

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Air tower

92
/ 100
From $35
Specdex verdict

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT lands at 89 and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE at 92. That puts Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT if…

  • ✓420 mm radiator handles even RTX 5090-class CPUs
  • ✓iCUE LINK simplifies cabling
  • ✓LCD display optional

Pick Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Noise

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Compared on the noise sub-score

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE leads on noise (88 vs 86).

Value for money

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE more score per dollar ($35 vs $309).

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT 89
vs
92 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Score breakdown

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT
89
cooling 96
noise 86
ease 86
value 80
thermals 0
install 0
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
92
cooling 0
noise 88
ease 0
value 86
thermals 92
install 88

Specs side-by-side

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT versus Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE — full spec comparison
Spec Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Type
420mm AIO
Air tower
Fan size
3× 140 mm ML140 RGB
—
Pump speed
2400 RPM
—
Sockets
AM5 / AM4 / LGA1851 / LGA1700 / sTRX4
—
Tube length
450 mm
—
Warranty
5 years
—

Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT

Pros
  • +420 mm radiator handles even RTX 5090-class CPUs
  • +iCUE LINK simplifies cabling
  • +LCD display optional
Cons
  • −420mm requires E-ATX or larger case
  • −Pricey vs Arctic competitor
  • −iCUE software heavy

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Pros
  • +Multi-socket bracket support
  • +Quiet fans at idle
  • +Strong TDP rating
Cons
  • −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
  • −AIO pump noise varies
  • −Installation requires motherboard-off

FAQ: Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Which is better, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE? +

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT worth the price? +

At $309, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in cooling.

Is Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE worth the price? +

At $35, Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in thermals.

Does Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 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 noise, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE? +

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE — leads on noise (88 vs 86). Compared on the noise sub-score.

Which is the better value, Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix XT or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE? +

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE — more score per dollar ($35 vs $309). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.