Compare: Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition vs Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Design and Aesthetics:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

The Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition is a popular air cooler from Cooler Master designed for mainstream CPUs. As an upgrade from the original Hyper 212 EVO, it features several improvements in both aesthetics and performance.

The RGB element of the cooler is the 120mm fan, which comes with customizable RGB lighting. This allows you to personalize the lighting effects and colors to match your PC's overall theme, adding a touch of flair to your build.

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

The Peerless Assassin 120 SE sports a sleek design, with a large aluminum heatsink, all-black fans, and a black top radiator. The two 120mm fans ensure optimal airflow and efficient heat dissipation. This modern and sophisticated appearance complements various build themes, making it an attractive choice for many PC enthusiasts that are on a budget. The similar Peerless Assassin 120 offers a gray look with a more polished top.

Install Notes:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

One of the biggest downsides of this cooler is the installation process. It's pretty tedious, similar to other CoolerMaster cooler installations. There are many parts that can be difficult to piece together, and figuring out how the various attachments connect with the cooler can be challenging. So, with this cooler, you're pretty much asking for a puzzle during the installation process.

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

This cooler installation is very similar to Noctua's typical installation, which is one of the easier installation setups. However, it also faces similar issues regarding uninstalling this cooler, where the cooler is unable to slide/twist off the cooler to break the thermal paste seal. This might be necessary if the thermal paste has a strong hold between the cooler and the CPU.

Cooling Performance:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

he Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition has a quad heat pipe design with direct contact technology, which helps improve its cooling efficiency. The cooler is capable of handling most mainstream CPUs, making it suitable for everyday tasks, gaming, and some overclocking. However, it might not be the best choice for extreme overclocking or high-end CPUs with high TDPs, as there are more powerful coolers available for those purposes.

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

Impressive performance is a standout feature of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, thanks to its six heat pipes that efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU and into the expansive fin array of the heatsink. It is suitable for a wide range of processors, including high-end models with high TDPs. The cooler is capable of handling demanding workloads and significant overclocking, making it a an attractive cooling solution option.

Noise Performance:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

In terms of noise, this cooler has a slightly above average noise profile. That means it's a bit louder than some other coolers on the market. If you're sensitive to noise or want a quieter PC setup, you might want to look for a different cooler with a better noise profile.

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

One of the standout features of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE is its relative quiet operation. The two included 120mm TL-C12 PWM fans are designed for optimal airflow and low noise levels. Although, this cooler can be louder than some other coolers of similar size, the relative cooling makes this cooler a contender for your setup.

Summary:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

The Hyper 212 EVO V2 cooler has its pros and cons. It's got a cool design with RGB lighting, but its performance, noise, and installation are not the best. There are other options available that offer a similar look and feel with better metrics, like the DeepCool AG400 BK. So, before making your decision, consider your priorities and whether the cool design is worth the trade-offs in performance, noise, and installation.

Peerless Assassin 120 SE

A notable feature of the Peerless Assassin 120 SE is its comparatively quiet performance. The cooler comes equipped with two 120mm TL-C12 PWM fans, engineered for optimal airflow and reduced noise levels. While it may be slightly louder than other coolers of a similar size, its impressive cooling capabilities make the Peerless Assassin 120 SE a strong contender for your PC setup.