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ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

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

all judged against CPU coolers at a similar price

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 scores 8.1/10 overall, ahead of the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE at 7.8/10.

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 leads on build and installation.

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

The biggest difference is build and installation, where the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 scores 8/10 to the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE's 5/10.

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240

8.1/10verdict: buy

The ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 is for builders who want strong cooling from a 240 mm all-in-one liquid cooler. It suits Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 systems as well as AMD AM5 and AM4 builds. It is best for people who have checked their case can take a 38 mm thick radiator.

Typically about £59.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

7.8/10verdict: buy

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is for builders who want strong air cooling on a tight budget. It suits Intel and AMD desktop owners on current sockets who would rather not pay for liquid cooling. It asks for some patience at install time and a case with room for a 155 mm tower.

Typically about £25.41 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Cooling35%9/109/10
Noise25%7/107/10
Compatibility and fit15%7/107/10
Value15%9/109/10
Build and installation10%8/105/10
Overall8.1/107.8/10

Specifications

SpecARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size)AIO liquid, 240 mm radiatorDual-tower air cooler
Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700; AMD AM5 and AM4Intel 115X/1200/1700/1851; AMD AM4/AM5
Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO)Radiator 277 × 120 × 38 mm (L × W × H)155 mm (L125 × W110 × H155 mm)
Fans included and their size2 × P12 Pro, 120 mm, 600–3000 rpm, 77 cfm, 6.9 mmH2O, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin PWM; pump 800–2800 rpm; VRM fan 400–2500 rpmTwo TL-C12C 120 × 120 × 25 mm 4-pin PWM fans, 1550 RPM ±10%, 66.17 CFM max, 0.20 A each
Noise level (dBA)not listed25.6 dBA (rated, per fan spec)
Warranty (years)6 yearsPremium dual-tower air cooler series (including Peerless Assassin): 3–6 year limited warranty; no figure stated for this model

Strengths and weaknesses

ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240

  • + Tom's Hardware calls it the strongest AIO it has tested
  • + Noise-normalised result ties for the best the reviewer has seen
  • + Pre-applied MX-6 paste, pre-installed fans and a 6-year warranty
  • − Pump can be louder than some users prefer at full speed
  • − 38 mm radiator means checking case clearance first
  • − Some owners find noise only good, not exceptional

Skip it if:

  • Buyers whose case may not have room for a 38 mm thick radiator.
  • Anyone who wants a completely silent PC sitting close to their desk.
  • People who prefer an air cooler over any liquid-cooled setup.
Read the full ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 review ›

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

  • + Led Tom's Hardware's air cooler results at 200W
  • + Rated 25.6 dBA with two PWM fans
  • + Supports LGA1851, LGA1700, AM4 and AM5
  • − Installation described as fiddly, with one reviewer reporting an hour
  • − 155 mm height and tall RAM need clearance checks
  • − One owner reported 92°C peaks on a Ryzen 7 7600X

Skip it if:

  • Builders with compact cases that cannot take a 155 mm tower
  • Anyone who wants a quick, simple cooler installation
  • Buyers who plan to use tall RAM modules without checking clearance
Read the full Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE review ›

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