The DeepCool Assassin IV is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in two out of three evaluated specifications. Its most significant advantage is a superior TDP rating, which outperforms the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE by 87 percent. This substantial lead in thermal design power capacity establishes the DeepCool Assassin IV as the more robust cooling solution for demanding hardware configurations that require higher heat dissipation capabilities.

Users prioritizing maximum thermal management should select the DeepCool Assassin IV for its significant TDP advantage. Conversely, those focused on budget efficiency should choose the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE, which holds an 82 percent advantage in MSRP. By weighing the importance of thermal capacity against the cost-saving benefits of the lower-priced option, buyers can align their choice with either high-performance cooling requirements or strict financial constraints.