Compare: Wraith Prism vs Peerless Assassin 140

Design and Aesthetics:

Wraith Prism

The Wraith Prism cooler, although not the best at keeping things cool and quiet, does a good job for the CPUs that it comes bundled with. It showcases a stunning design featuring customizable RGB lighting, adding a touch of personalization to your PC build. Its well-crafted, slim construction ensures compatibility with a variety of cases, including those with limited height clearance.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 shares a similar design with other 140mm coolers from Thermalright, featuring two 140mm heatsinks paired with a 120mm fan at the front and a 140mm fan in the middle. The difference in fan sizes helps reduce RAM clearance issues, which are common with most 140mm air coolers. This model has a polished top and comes in an all-black design, though other color options may be available.

Install Notes:

Wraith Prism

Installing the Wraith Prism cooler is a straightforward process, thanks to its compatibility with AMD's mounting system. Some users may encounter minor challenges when securing the backplate, but with care and patience, most builders will find the installation hassle-free.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 CPU cooler features installation components similar to many mainstream Thermalright designs, making it relatively easy to install. However, it encounters a challenge when uninstalling, as it doesn't allow for sliding or twisting to break the thermal paste seal. This can be problematic if the thermal paste creates a strong bond between the cooler and the CPU.

Cooling Performance:

Wraith Prism

When it comes to keeping your computer cool, the Wraith Prism cooler does a good job, especially with the CPUs it comes with. It might not be the best for super powerful processors, but for most people, it keeps things cool enough even when you're gaming or working on heavy stuff. We test it using the normal, slower setting, so it works well right when you start using it, providing a reliable and visually appealing cooling solution.

Peerless Assassin 140

While the cooler offers similar peak performance to its competitors, its main advantage lies in its efficiency at lower RPMs, where it provides slightly better cooling. This translates to a noticeable edge in noise-to-performance ratio compared to smaller coolers, making it quieter under lower loads while still maintaining strong cooling capabilities.

Noise Performance:

Wraith Prism

The Wraith Prism cooler is pretty quiet compared to the basic coolers that usually come with CPUs. It has a special fan design and air flow system that keeps the noise down without making it less effective at cooling.

Peerless Assassin 140

Due to its larger fans, this cooler becomes more audible at higher RPMs. However, because the fans move more air, lower RPMs are generally sufficient for cooling under most moderate CPU loads, allowing for quieter operation without sacrificing performance.

Summary:

Wraith Prism

The Wraith Prism cooler is a top contender in the market for those looking for an efficient and visually striking cooling solution. Its solid performance, customizable design, and competitive pricing make it a highly recommended choice for a wide range of PC builders.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 CPU cooler is easy to install, thanks to its design resembling other mainstream Thermalright models, but it presents a challenge during uninstallation as it doesn’t allow for sliding or twisting to break the thermal paste seal. It features two 140mm heatsinks, a 120mm fan at the front, and a 140mm fan in the middle, which helps reduce RAM clearance issues common with larger coolers. While its peak performance is on par with competitors, it excels at lower RPMs, offering better cooling and a superior noise-to-performance ratio compared to smaller coolers. Although more audible at higher RPMs due to its larger fans, the slower speeds still provide sufficient cooling for most moderate CPU loads, ensuring quieter operation without compromising performance.