The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in two out of three evaluated specifications. While the Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 holds a notable advantage in thermal management, the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 provides the most impactful benefit by offering a 45% better MSRP. This significant cost efficiency makes it the superior choice for users prioritizing overall value in their cooling solution.

Users who prioritize maximum thermal capacity should select the Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3, as it features a 27% better TDP rating than the alternative. Conversely, those focused on budget-conscious builds will find the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 more suitable due to its superior pricing. Choosing between these two components depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is the higher thermal ceiling provided by the liquid cooler or the cost savings offered by the air cooler.