The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE wins in 2 out of 3 comparable specs. Its biggest advantage is MSRP (86% better).
EK-AIO 280 D-RGB wins in 1 spec (TDP Rating: 100% better).
Recommendation
Choose Assassin X 120 Refined SE if you want the best overall performance — especially msrp.
Choose EK-AIO 280 D-RGB if tdp rating matters more to you.
| Spec | EKEK-AIO 280 D-RGB | ThermalrightAssassin X 120 Refined SE |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Type | AIO | Air Tower |
| Height | 52 mm | 148 mm |
| Radiator Size | 280 mm | N/A |
| Performance | ||
| TDP Rating | 300W+100% | 150W |
| Fans | 2 | 1 |
| Fan Size | 140 mm | 120 mm |
| Acoustics | ||
| Noise Level |
| 32 dB(A) |
| 25 dB(A)−22% |
| Fan RPM | 550 - 2200 | 500 - 1550 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Sockets | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM5, AM4 | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM5, AM4 |
| Price | ||
| MSRP | $130 | $18−86% |
| Release Date | Jan 2022 | Jun 2023 |
