Compare: Assassin King 120 SE vs NH-D15 G2

Design and Aesthetics:

Assassin King 120 SE

This economical cooler showcases an unexpectedly polished design. Its aesthetic equilibrium exudes a visually pleasing presence, making it a charming addition to any PC configuration. Regardless of your budget considerations, this cooler offers a practical and stylish choice to maintain ideal temperatures for the right CPU.

NH-D15 G2

This cooler is quite large and showcases Noctua's signature design, appealing to diehard PC builders who don't want to compromise on cooling performance. The NH-D15 G2 closely resembles the previous generation, with a few updates. This version features eight heat pipes and offset depths on the two heatsinks

Install Notes:

Assassin King 120 SE

This cooler follows a typical installation method seen in mainstream air coolers, utilizing two brackets that connect to the motherboard and then to the cooler. Due to its size, it's straightforward to position with minimal effort.

NH-D15 G2

The NH-D15 G2 retains the same installation design as its predecessor, with the addition of a new bracket that allows for offset mounting on AM5 CPUs. The installation process is straightforward, guided by clear instructions that adhere to industry standards for top-tier coolers. However, the cooler's large size may pose challenges when maneuvering it within the case.

Cooling Performance:

Assassin King 120 SE

Equipped with four heat pipes and a single fan, this cooler delivers substantial cooling power. While it may not rival dual heatsink coolers in terms of extreme heat dissipation, it's an excellent choice for individuals with low to moderate cooling requirements.

NH-D15 G2

The Noctua's NH-D15 G2 cooler is hard to beat in terms of cooling performance, even outperforming AIOs from various other brands—a result expected given its larger size. However, when compared to the previous generation, its performance is on par, offering little improvement.

Noise Performance:

Assassin King 120 SE

Equipped with four heat pipes and a single fan, this cooler delivers substantial cooling power. While it may not rival dual heatsink coolers in terms of extreme heat dissipation, it's an excellent choice for individuals with low to moderate cooling requirements.

NH-D15 G2

Compared to the average cooler, the Noctua NH-D15 G2 is louder than most on the market. However, when performance is evaluated on a noise-normalized basis, this cooler is tough to beat, offering excellent cooling for a given noise level. This means you can keep your cooler quiet when needed, while still having the headroom to increase the speed for enhanced cooling performance.

Summary:

Assassin King 120 SE

This cooler offers a straightforward installation method common among mainstream air coolers. It surprises with an elegant yet budget-conscious design, making it visually appealing for various PC setups. Equipped with four heat pipes and a single fan, it provides substantial cooling power suitable for those with low to moderate cooling needs. While it may not match dual heatsink coolers in extreme heat dissipation, it strikes a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness.

NH-D15 G2

The Noctua NH-D15 G2 retains the familiar installation design of its predecessor, with the addition of a new bracket for offset mounting on AM5 CPUs. While its large size may make installation a bit challenging, the process is straightforward, with clear instructions that meet industry standards. The cooler's substantial size is matched by its performance, offering exceptional cooling that even surpasses many AIOs from other brands. Although its performance is on par with the previous generation, the NH-D15 G2 still delivers excellent cooling, particularly when considering noise levels. Despite being louder than the average cooler, it excels in noise-normalized performance, allowing users to maintain quiet operation while having the flexibility to ramp up speed for maximum cooling when needed.