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Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE

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

all judged against CPU coolers at a similar price

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE scores 7.8/10 overall, ahead of the Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS at 6.5/10.

The Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS leads on build and installation.

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE leads on cooling, noise, compatibility and fit and value.

Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS

Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS

6.5/10verdict: good, not the best

The Nautilus 360 RS is for buyers with a case that takes a 360mm radiator and a CPU that runs hot under load. It suits Intel LGA 1851 and LGA 1700 or AMD AM5 and AM4 builds that want a ready-to-fit AIO with paste already applied. It is less suited to compact or poorly ventilated cases.

Typically about £100.99 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

CriterionWeightCorsair NAUTILUS 360 RSThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Cooling35%7/109/10
Noise25%6/107/10
Compatibility and fit15%6/107/10
Value15%7/109/10
Build and installation10%6/105/10
Overall6.5/107.8/10

Specifications

SpecCorsair NAUTILUS 360 RSThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Type (tower air cooler, low-profile air, or AIO liquid with radiator size)AIO liquid cooler with 360mm radiatorDual-tower air cooler
Supported sockets (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)Intel LGA 1851, LGA 1700; AMD AM5, AM4Intel 115X/1200/1700/1851; AMD AM4/AM5
Height in mm (air coolers) or radiator size in mm (AIO)Radiator 360mm; 396 × 120 × 27mm (length unconfirmed, Corsair comparison page gives 394 × 120 × 27mm)155 mm (L125 × W110 × H155 mm)
Fans included and their sizeThree RS120 fans, 120 × 25mm, 420–2100 RPM ±10%, PWMTwo TL-C12C 120 × 120 × 25 mm 4-pin PWM fans, 1550 RPM ±10%, 66.17 CFM max, 0.20 A each
Noise level (dBA)Fans 10–36 dBA; pump 20 dBA25.6 dBA (rated, per fan spec)
Warranty (years)5 yearsPremium dual-tower air cooler series (including Peerless Assassin): 3–6 year limited warranty; no figure stated for this model

Strengths and weaknesses

Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS

  • + Reported peak of 81°C on an i9-14900K
  • + Quiet at idle and light load, owners say
  • + Five-year warranty and pre-applied XTM60 paste
  • − Installation can be difficult in compact cases
  • − Fan noise rises under sustained heavy load
  • − Higher temperatures reported in small or poorly ventilated cases

Skip it if:

  • Builders with compact cases that struggle to take a 360mm radiator
  • People who need near-silent running during long, sustained heavy loads
  • Owners of small or poorly ventilated cases
Read the full Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS 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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