The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE wins in 2 out of 3 comparable specs. Its biggest advantage is TDP Rating (153% better).
NH-L12S wins in 1 spec (Noise Level: 7% better).
Recommendation
Choose Peerless Assassin 120 SE if you want the best overall performance — especially tdp rating.
Choose NH-L12S if noise level matters more to you.
| Spec | NoctuaNH-L12S | ThermalrightPeerless Assassin 120 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Type | Low Profile | Air Tower |
| Height | 70 mm | 155 mm |
| Performance | ||
| TDP Rating | 95W | 240W+153% |
| Fans | 1 | 2 |
| Fan Size | 120 mm | 120 mm |
| Acoustics | ||
| Noise Level | 23.9 dB(A)−7% | 25.6 dB(A) |
| Fan RPM | 450 - 1850 | 1550 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Sockets | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1150, AM5, AM4 | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, AM5, AM4 |
| Price | ||
| MSRP | $55 | $35−36% |
| Release Date | Jan 2018 | Jun 2022 |