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Thermalright Air Cooler Buyers Guide

Which model is right for your build?

Thermalright has firmly established itself as the go-to brand for air cooling, offering market-leading performance at incredible value. However, with so many models, series, and variations available, choosing the right one for your build can be confusing.

At Computer Orbit, we stock a wide range of Thermalright coolers. Whether you are building a high-end workstation, a standard gaming PC, or a compact Small Form Factor (SFF) system, there is a Thermalright option for you.

This guide breaks down the different product families to help you decide which series fits your specific needs.

Common Terminology: What is "SE"?

Before diving into the models, you will often see "SE" versions of popular coolers (e.g., Peerless Assassin 120 SE).

The SE series generally signifies a "no-frills" model. To provide the best possible value, these versions usually remove aesthetic top plates or heatsink covers and may come with standard fans rather than premium RGB or performance variants.

Verdict: If you want excellent performance but don't mind sacrificing aesthetics or premium fans to save money, the SE models are the perfect choice.

Dual Tower Coolers: Maximum Performance

These are the heavy hitters. Dual tower coolers feature two heatsink stacks and usually two fans.

Best For: Users who want excellent cooling and thermal performance, or require extra cooling headroom for future CPU upgrades.

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

1. Peerless Assassin Series (The Standard)

The Peerless Assassin (PA) is the cooler that took the market by storm. Within the "120" range (120mm fans), performance is generally similar across all models; the main differences are aesthetics, included fans, and extra features like Digital temperature readouts or LCD displays (PA Vision).

  • Peerless Assassin 120: The standard dual-tower king. Great balance of size and performance.
  • Peerless Assassin 140: Features a slightly larger heatsink and 140mm fans for increased airflow.
  • Peerless Assassin 120 Mini: A compact version that removes some fins to achieve a lower profile, making it ideal for compact cases.
  • Peerless Assassin 90: Drops the heatpipes to 4x and swaps to a 90mm fan. Ideal for slim cases.
Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

2. Phantom Spirit Series (The Upgrade)

The Phantom Spirit (PS) is the evolution of the Peerless Assassin. It adds a 7th heatpipe (compared to the PA's 6), offering slightly better thermal transfer.

  • Note: Currently, the Phantom Spirit is only available in 120mm fan versions.
  • Best For: Those wanting even lower temperatures or superior noise performance compared to the Peerless Assassin range.
Royal Pretor 130 ULTRA

3. Royal Pretor Series (The Flagship)

If you are looking for the absolute best Thermalright has to offer, this is it. The spiritual successor to the outgoing Frost Spirit and Frost Commander series.

  • Design: Uses a larger heatsink and larger fans than the PA or PS series.
  • Royal Pretor Ultra: This is Thermalright's current flagship cooler.
Royal Knight 120

4. Royal Knight (High Compatibility)

The Royal Knight is similar in performance to the Peerless Assassin 120 but features a distinct design change. It utilizes an offset heatsink and a slim front fan.

  • Best For: Builders who need 100% RAM compatibility without moving the front fan up.

Single Tower Coolers: Efficient & Compact

Single tower coolers are excellent for mid-range CPUs and builds where space is tighter. While there are many versions with different aesthetics, Digital displays, or LCD screens, the cooling performance is determined by the specific "Engine" inside.

Here is the hierarchy of performance, from lowest to highest:

  1. Assassin X: The entry-level option (4 Heatpipes).
  2. Assassin Spirit: A step up (4 Heatpipes, but features more fins and is slightly taller).
  3. Assassin King: Mid-range performance (5 Heatpipes).
  4. Burst Assassin: The highest performing single-tower in this class (6 Heatpipes).

AXP Series: Low Profile / SFF Solutions

For Small Form Factor (SFF) builds, such as "sandwich" layout cases like the Dan A4 or Fractal Terra, vertical height is your biggest constraint.

Naming Convention

The number following the "X" (e.g., AXP90-X47, AXP120-X67) signifies the total height of the cooler in millimeters with the fan installed.

Advice: Generally, you should get the tallest version your case can fit. Always leave a few millimeters of clearance between the fan and the side panel to reduce turbulence.

The Two Main Families

  • AXP120 (120mm Fan):
    Pros: Better cooling due to larger surface area.
    Cons: May have clearance issues with motherboard VRMs or RAM.
  • AXP90 (90mm Fan):
    Pros: Excellent compatibility; sits directly on top of CPU.
    Cons: Cooling performance slightly lower than AXP120.

"FULL" Copper Versions

You will see some models labeled as "FULL" (e.g., AXP90-X47 FULL). This signifies that the entire heatsink is made of copper rather than aluminum.

Why buy it? Copper is a superior thermal conductor. While these carry a price premium, they are a popular option for SFF systems to achieve the best possible thermals in space-limited scenarios.


Still Unsure?

If you have checked your case specifications and are still wondering which Thermalright cooler is the perfect fit for your rig, we are here to help.


Contact Our Support Team