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Noctua NH-U12A · Black — Air tower
Noctua

Noctua NH-U12A · Black

Air tower

90
/ 100
From $109
VS
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB wins by 2
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB — Air tower
Thermalright

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB

Air tower

92
/ 100
From $35
Specdex verdict

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

In our weighted Specdex score, Noctua NH-U12A · 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 Noctua NH-U12A · 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
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Winner by scenario

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

Thermals

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB leads on thermals (92 vs 90).

Install

Tie

Compared on the install sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB

Compared 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 · RGB

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB more score per dollar ($35 vs $109).

Noctua NH-U12A · Black 90
vs
92 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB

Score breakdown

Noctua NH-U12A · Black
90
thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB
92
thermals 92
noise 88
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Noctua NH-U12A · Black versus Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB — full spec comparison
Spec Noctua NH-U12A · Black Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB
Type
Air tower
Air tower

Noctua NH-U12A · Black

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

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB

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: Noctua NH-U12A · Black vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE · RGB

Which is better, Noctua NH-U12A · 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 Noctua NH-U12A · Black worth the price? +

At $109, Noctua NH-U12A · 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 Noctua NH-U12A · 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, Noctua NH-U12A · 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, Noctua NH-U12A · 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.