ARCTIC Freezer 36 vs Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against CPU coolers at a similar price

The ARCTIC Freezer 36 scores 7.1/10 overall, ahead of the Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE at 6.8/10.

The ARCTIC Freezer 36 leads on cooling.

The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE leads on build and installation.

They score the same on noise, compatibility and fit and value.

ARCTIC Freezer 36

7.1/10verdict: good, not the best

The ARCTIC Freezer 36 is for builders who want a quiet, low-cost air cooler for a current Intel or AMD desktop CPU. It suits mainstream and upper-mid-range chips rather than the hottest processors at sustained heavy loads. Buyers who want maximum air-cooling performance should look at what sits above it.

Typically about £20.49 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

6.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE is for builders who want a low-cost single-tower air cooler for a current Intel or AMD platform. It suits mainstream CPUs in cases with enough height for a 148mm cooler. Owners mostly praise its value, quiet running and easy fitting.

Typically about £15.95 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	ARCTIC Freezer 36	Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE
Cooling	35%	7/10	6/10
Noise	25%	7/10	7/10
Compatibility and fit	15%	7/10	7/10
Value	15%	8/10	8/10
Build and installation	10%	6/10	7/10
Overall		7.1/10	6.8/10

Specifications

Spec	ARCTIC Freezer 36	Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE
Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size)	Single-tower air cooler, push-pull fans	Single-tower air cooler
Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)	Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700; AMD AM5 and AM4	Intel 115x/1200/1700/1851; AMD AM4/AM5
Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO)	159 mm	148 mm
Fans included and their size	2× 120 mm P12 PWM PST, fluid dynamic bearing, 200–1800 rpm, 0 rpm below 5% PWM	One 120 x 120 x 25 mm TL-C12C PWM fan, 1550 RPM max, 66.17 CFM max, 1.53 mm H2O max, S-FDB bearing
Noise level (dBA)	40.3 dBA at full-performance testing (measured by Tom's Hardware; no manufacturer rating published)	25.6 dBA maximum (manufacturer figure)
Warranty (years)	6 years (manufacturer-stated in A-RGB spec)	3 years

Strengths and weaknesses

ARCTIC Freezer 36

+ Quiet operation praised by owners
+ Ties Dark Rock Pro 4 in GamersNexus testing
+ Supports LGA1851, LGA1700, AM5 and AM4
− Intel installs require the included contact frame
− Peerless Assassin ran 3.3 °C cooler
− Failed a 205 W load in Techspot's test

Skip it if:

Buyers pairing it with a CPU drawing 200 W or more under sustained load
Intel builders who do not want a contact frame on the CPU
Anyone chasing the lowest temperatures an air cooler can give

Read the full ARCTIC Freezer 36 review ›

Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

+ Supports Intel 1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5
+ Owners praise value, quiet running and easy installation
+ 3-year warranty
− One owner reports it running warm under heavy load
− 148mm height may be too tall for some cases

Skip it if:

Buyers with a high-power CPU under sustained heavy load
Anyone with a compact case or limited CPU cooler height
Builders using tall RAM modules who need a confirmed clearance figure

Read the full Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE review ›

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