Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black

Double-Click · May 25, 2023

So I noticed the other day there is a blacked out version of this cooler (main product page).

Only problem is I cannot seem to find it for sale anywhere in the US.
Newegg has one listed from Corn Electronics :wtf:

in Hong Kong for $80 but that's it.

I wonder if they just haven't released yet or if it's simply not coming here?

maxfly · May 25, 2023

They're out of stock everywhere in the US for normal prices. There may be some black RGB versions available on Amazon. You can probably find them on AliExpress but I cant say how much they are there.
There's also the FC140 which is bigger but cools better in all black on Amazon and the Phantom Spirit 120 7pipe cooler that came out recently and cools about the same as the PA120 but I haven't seen any all black ones on Amazon lately.
GL!

Edit- the PA120 black, has been available for a couple of years, it's really popular and sells out frequently.

Marcus L · May 25, 2023

Double-Click said:
So I noticed the other day there is a blacked out version of this cooler (main product page).

Only problem is I cannot seem to find it for sale anywhere in the US.
Newegg has one listed from Corn Electronics in Hong Kong for $80 but that's it.

I wonder if they just haven't released yet or if it's simply not coming here?

Theres a black in the PA 120 SE as well, not sure if there's more availability for that one, don't think there's much of a difference performance wise between them, I was dead set against RGB and was going to get the grey version until I got a white 400D so then got the white RGB PA 120 in RGB, with 3xRGB case fans also added, oh well, may as well go the whole hog I thought

Double-Click · May 25, 2023

Yeah it's almost non-existent, there's nothing on it on a lot of sites or even PC parts picker history.
This is specifically referring to fully blacked painted version not the 20SE or RGB with just the black top.

tabascosauz · May 25, 2023

Double-Click said:
Yeah it's almost non-existent, there's nothing on it on a lot of sites or even PC parts picker history.
This is specifically referring to fully blacked painted version not the 20SE or RGB with just the black top.

If it's not readily available for something like $40, why even bother? These days FC140 is barely what, $10-20 more and comes in black. As long as you aren't severely clearance constrained in an SFF build. The whole point of the PA120 is that it's cheap.

FC140 does a noticeable few degrees better than U12A, even on the 5800X3D.

Double-Click · May 25, 2023

I'd rather the 120 for the smaller dimensions vs the 40 but that is an option only $54 for the black version of it.

It's not as much about absolute best performance for me actually (not the usual story I know)
I've had some harmonic annoyances with mine and the rear exhaust in my setup, also think I killed an exhaust fan with it possibly lol.

GerKNG · May 25, 2023

same in europe.
there is ONE listing in central europe and that's on amazon directly from thermalright (with prime delivery in stock)
either it's pretty new or extremely rare.

Double-Click · May 25, 2023

That was my thinking, hopefully just new. I'm not in a rush or anything but it'd be my preference (normally priced).

tabascosauz · May 25, 2023

Double-Click said:
I'd rather the 120 for the smaller dimensions vs the 40 but that is an option only $54 for the black version of it.

It's not as much about absolute best performance for me actually (not the usual story I know)
I've had some harmonic annoyances with mine and the rear exhaust in my setup, also think I killed an exhaust fan with it possibly lol.

The smaller dimensions are literally only relevant if you explicitly have VRM/GPU/case clearance issues that outright prevent an FC140 from fitting. Paradoxically it has far better RAM clearance than the PA120. There should be plenty of space between the back of the case and the back of the cooler in the Fractal case. Can't comment on the harmonic resonances on U12A, but doubt it killed any fan.

Usually new Thermalright models on Amazon.com take a few weeks to come down in price. Think it was not too long ago that they brought out the new colors for FC140 - they're a lot cheaper now than when I bought the PA120 and FC140. Couldn't hurt to wait.

But yeah, that's one area where dual towers are much better, no two fans fighting over the same space.

Double-Click · May 25, 2023

Interesting, didn't realize the 140 had better RAM clearance, very good to know.
It looks like the ripjaws I have would work with the 120, albeit a tight fit.

freeagent · May 25, 2023

Double-Click said:
Interesting, didn't realize the 140 had better RAM clearance, very good to know.
It looks like the ripjaws I have would work with the 120, albeit a tight fit.

I can insert my Tridents with FC140 installed, no problem.

There is also PS120SE, its an excellent cooler. Better than PA120 for sure.

eidairaman1 · May 26, 2023

Double-Click said:
Interesting, didn't realize the 140 had better RAM clearance, very good to know.
It looks like the ripjaws I have would work with the 120, albeit a tight fit.

I have a Thermalright ARO M14 G In a Zalman Z1 Neo Case, the window offset allowed it to fit. It is a narrow case

freeagent · May 26, 2023

My Le Grand Macho RT is offset as well. The fan comes up to 1mm before the closest DIMM. And from there to the back of the case is heatsink lol..

MachineLearning · May 26, 2023

They have been out for a while. I have two of these PA 120 's in black, bought them a bit over 2 years ago now (in USA). Thermalright has a direct store on Amazon which is what I've bought from.

But I agree with others, if you are willing to spend the slight amount more the Frost Commander 140 is a great cooler. I use that for air cooling benchmarking all the time (LGA775, etc.).

freeagent · May 26, 2023

FC140 is so good that I bought two lol :laugh:

Super Firm Tofu · May 26, 2023

freeagent said:
FC140 is so good that I bought two lol

Me too! Although one is back on the shelf because the NH-D15s was feeling left out. :slap:

freeagent · May 26, 2023

Super Firm Tofu said:
Me too! Although one is back on the shelf because the NH-D15s was feeling left out.

Dont feel bad, both of mine are on the shelf lol. They got replaced by a cooler that is a little smaller than a PA120SE :nutkick:

Super Firm Tofu · May 26, 2023

freeagent said:
Dont feel bad, both of mine are on the shelf lol. They got replaced by a cooler that is a little smaller than a PA120SE

I think the answer to our cooler problems is more motherboards and cpus.

freeagent · May 26, 2023

Super Firm Tofu said:
I think the answer to our cooler problems is more motherboards and cpus.

I did take that into consideration.. but I have like 9 Thermalright CPU coolers.. its a literal tower of boxes :rolleyes:

eidairaman1 · May 26, 2023

freeagent said:
I did take that into consideration.. but I have like 9 Thermalright CPU coolers.. its a literal tower of boxes

Scythe and Thermalright are my Go To. Im glad Swifttech is coming back too

Double-Click · May 26, 2023

MachineLearning said:
They have been out for a while. I have two of these PA 120 's in black, bought them a bit over 2 years ago now (in USA). Thermalright has a direct store on Amazon which is what I've bought from.

But I agree with others, if you are willing to spend the slight amount more the Frost Commander 140 is a great cooler. I use that for air cooling benchmarking all the time (LGA775, etc.).

Crap. I was hoping that wasn't the case.
I'll keep an eye on their official Amazon, but will go for the FC140 Black if it comes down to it then.

eidairaman1 said:
Scythe and Thermalright are my Go To. Im glad Swifttech is coming back too

I've been on mATX setups since 2009 so I quickly leaned into AIOs.
The Megahalems B I had on my i5-750 basically ate my Maximus III Gene (replaced with H50) and then I moved to an H100i + i7 3770K, Maximus V Gene.

This is the first standard ATX board I've had in a long time, it's good to be back

tabascosauz · May 26, 2023

Double-Click said:
Interesting, didn't realize the 140 had better RAM clearance, very good to know.
It looks like the ripjaws I have would work with the 120, albeit a tight fit.

Maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration. You should have a problem-free time with Ripjaws and 2 DIMMs in a 4DIMM board. It's a lot more visible for ITX - you can move the fan up for better RAM clearance on both, but the front fan will jut out a lot more on the PA120 for tall DIMMs and ruins the look, because the cooler itself is shorter. Ripjaws are pretty middle of the road, reasonable height.

$65 FC140 made me regret my $130 U12A purchase BIG time. I'm sure the PA120 performance is also hot on the FC140's heels. And I overpaid for the FC140 too (now it's priced equivalent to $45).

If your cooler arrives a bit...misshapen like both of mine.......don't hesitate to give the finstack a bit of gentle physical persuasion

the coolers are solid but their QC can be a bit spotty

One thing the FC140 has over the PA120 is support for 30mm fans (if you run a T30-120 fan swap like me, or if you are waiting for T30-140). The center gap on the PA120 is barely 30mm and requires quite a bit of force and some creativity as to clips. T30s have no issue on FC140.

MachineLearning · May 26, 2023

Double-Click said:
Crap. I was hoping that wasn't the case.
I'll keep an eye on their official Amazon, but will go for the FC140 Black if it comes down to it then.

I've been on mATX setups since 2009 so I quickly leaned into AIOs.
The Megahalems B I had on my i5-750 basically ate my Maximus III Gene (replaced with H50) and then I moved to an H100i + i7 3770K, Maximus V Gene.

This is the first standard ATX board I've had in a long time, it's good to be back

Maybe this suits your needs. IMO, hard to argue with the price. (Silver Soul 135, black)

https://a.co/d/dZfanuG

tabascosauz · May 26, 2023

MachineLearning said:
Maybe this suits your needs. IMO, hard to argue with the price. (Silver Soul 135, black)

https://a.co/d/dZfanuG

Silver Soul is like, a D12L-class cooler though. Beats a U9S but even fell behind my C14S. Certainly outclassed by a U12A, let alone FC140.

Nice compact package and match made in heaven with the NCASE, but harder to add a second fan/fan swap due to same problem as D12L, rounded proprietary fans.

RDNAuser · May 26, 2023

PA120SE and FUMA 2 user.
I originally ran a 360mm EK AIO... useless.

System Name	Stugots IV
Processor	Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A Chromax
Memory	2x 16GB G.Skill 3600Mhz CL16
Video Card(s)	EVGA RTX 3060 Ti
Storage	500GB WD SN750 \| 2TB WD SN750 \| 6TB WD Red Plus EFPX
Display(s)	Dell S2716DG (1440p / 144Hz)
Case	Fractal Meshify 2 Compact
Audio Device(s)	JDS Labs Element \| Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro (250) \| Audioengine HD3 + A8
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus Plus 850W
Mouse	Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard	Leopold FC-750
Software	Win 10 Pro x64

System Name	DadsBadAss
Processor	I7 13700k w/ HEATKILLER IV PRO Copper Nickel
Motherboard	MSI Z790 Tomahawk Wifi DDR4
Cooling	BarrowCH Boxfish 200mm-HWLabs SR2 420/GTX&GTS 360-BP Dual D5 MOD TOP- 2x Koolance PMP 450S
Memory	4x8gb HyperX Predator RGB DDR4 4000
Video Card(s)	Asrock 6800xt PG D w/ Byski A-AR6900XT-X
Storage	WD SN850x 1TB NVME M.2/Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1TB NVMe M.2
Display(s)	Acer XG270HU
Case	ThermalTake X71 w/5 Noctua NF-A14 2000 IP67 PWM/3 Noctua NF-F12 2000 IP67 PWM/3 CorsairML120 Pro RGB
Audio Device(s)	Klipsch Promedia 2.1
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus PX-850 w/CableMod PRO ModMesh RT-Series Black/Blue
Mouse	Logitech G502
Keyboard	Black Aluminun Mechanical Clicky Thing With Blue LEDs, hows that for a name?!
Software	Win11pro

Processor	Ryzen 5500 4450mhz (CO +200 boost)
Motherboard	Gigabyte Auros Elite AX V2
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assassin SE White
Memory	Teamgroup 3600mhz 16GB (2x8)
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Nitro+ 6700XT 12GB
Storage	1TB WD PCIE3 NVME, 500GB SSD, 2TB Seagate HDD
Case	Corsair 4000D White
Power Supply	EVGA 600W

System Name	Stugots IV
Processor	Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A Chromax
Memory	2x 16GB G.Skill 3600Mhz CL16
Video Card(s)	EVGA RTX 3060 Ti
Storage	500GB WD SN750 \| 2TB WD SN750 \| 6TB WD Red Plus EFPX
Display(s)	Dell S2716DG (1440p / 144Hz)
Case	Fractal Meshify 2 Compact
Audio Device(s)	JDS Labs Element \| Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro (250) \| Audioengine HD3 + A8
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus Plus 850W
Mouse	Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard	Leopold FC-750
Software	Win 10 Pro x64

Processor	5800X3D \| 5700G
Motherboard	ROG Impact \| B550I Aorus AX
Memory	32GB 3733CL14 \| 16GB 4333CL16
Video Card(s)	RTX 4070 Ti Eagle \| Vega 8
Storage	8TB of SSDs \| SN550
Case	Caselabs S3 \| Lone Industries L5
Audio Device(s)	FiiO K7 + DT770
Power Supply	Corsair HX1000 \| HDPlex 200W

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Black

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RDNAuser

Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Motherboard	Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 Chromax. Black
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Display(s)	Alienware AW2723DF, LG GP850-B, LG GN950-B
Case	bequiet! Pure Base 500 FX
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Power Supply	bequiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1500w Titanium
Mouse	Logitech GPRO X Superlight & G502 X
Keyboard	Corsair K65 RGB Mini, Razer Black Widow V3 TKL
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S

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Processor	AMD R7 5900X
Motherboard	Asus Strix B550-XE
Cooling	Thermalright Frost Commander 140 White
Memory	2x8 G.Skill Trident Z Royal 3200C14, 2x8GB G.Skill Trident Z Black and White 3200 C14
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Power Supply	EVGA G+ 750, Monster HDP1800
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Benchmark Scores	Yes

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Memory	16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
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