Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB
Air tower
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black
Air tower
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB lands at 95 and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black at 92. That puts Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black 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
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGBCompared on the thermals sub-score
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB leads on thermals (95 vs 92).
Noise
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGBCompared on the noise sub-score
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB leads on noise (91 vs 88).
Install
TieCompared on the install sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Value for money
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · BlackSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black more score per dollar ($35 vs $149).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Air tower | Air tower |
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · 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
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · 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
FAQ: Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black
Which is better, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black? +
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB worth the price? +
At $149, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in thermals.
Is Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black worth the price? +
At $35, Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in thermals.
Does Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black 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, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black? +
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB — leads on thermals (95 vs 92). Compared on the thermals sub-score.
Which is better for noise, Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB or Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · Black? +
Noctua NH-D15 G2 · RGB — leads on noise (91 vs 88). Compared on the noise sub-score.