Compare: AS500 Plus vs Assassin III

Design and Aesthetics:

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 Plus features a sleek and minimalist design with a large aluminum heatsink, an eye-catching black finish, and a top cover with customizable RGB lighting. The AS500 Plus comes with two 140mm PWM fans that provide efficient heat dissipation and a striking appearance.

Assassin III

The Deepcool Assassin III sports a premium design with two large aluminum heatsink towers, connected by eight heat pipes that efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU. The cooler comes with two 140mm PWM fans that provide efficient heat dissipation and a striking appearance. The overall design is sleek and minimalist, with an attractive black finish that complements a wide variety of build themes.

Install Notes:

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 Plus features a mounting system compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, and as of 2023, it employs DeepCool's more modern installation designs. These designs include additional components for an easier installation process. The backplates are secured by single hand-screwed nuts that also serve to hold the mount from the other side, simplifying the backplate placement during installation. Comprehensive instructions and high-quality components make the process user-friendly and straightforward. The remaining part of the installation resembles Noctua's typical installation, which is easy to execute but may pose challenges during uninstallation if the thermal paste adheres well to the CPU.

Assassin III

The Deepcool Assassin III features a versatile mounting system compatible with a broad range of Intel and AMD sockets, and the installation process is user-friendly and straightforward. Although there are more steps involved with this cooler's installation, the parts for both Intel and AMD are well-labeled, and the steps are intuitive and easy to follow without much difficulty. It's important to note that this cooler has a large mounting footprint, which may require some consideration in terms of case and RAM clearance. As a result, checking compatibility before purchasing is essential to ensure a hassle-free installation experience.

Cooling Performance:

AS500 Plus

The AS500 Plus has five heat pipes that effectively transfer heat away from the CPU and into the large fin array of the heatsink. The dual 140mm PWM fans deliver optimal airflow and cooling performance while maintaining low noise levels, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of processors, including high-end models with high TDPs.

Assassin III

The Assassin III's dual-tower design and eight heat pipes deliver exceptional cooling performance, making it suitable for even high-end CPUs with high TDPs. The two 140mm PWM fans ensure optimal airflow and cooling performance while maintaining low noise levels, providing an excellent balance between performance and acoustics.

Noise Performance:

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 plus is a louder than average cooler. The two included 140mm 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.

Assassin III

The Deepcool Assassin III fans are engineered to produce minimal noise during regular operation, and they can also be adjusted through the PWM control to find the perfect balance between cooling and noise for your specific needs. In most scenarios, the Assassin III operates at a low noise level, making it a suitable choice for users who value a quiet computing environment.

Summary:

AS500 Plus

Deepcool AS500 Plus is a high-performance air cooler that provides excellent cooling capabilities, quiet operation, and a visually appealing design. Its customizable RGB lighting and compatibility with a wide range of processors make it a popular choice for PC enthusiasts seeking a reliable and efficient cooling solution for their systems.

Assassin III

The Deepcool Assassin III is an impressive dual-tower air cooler that offers excellent cooling capabilities, quiet operation, and a visually appealing design. Its performance makes it a popular choice for PC enthusiasts seeking a reliable and efficient cooling solution for their high-performance systems.