Compare: Peerless Assassin 120 vs FX360 Pro

Design and Aesthetics:

Peerless Assassin 120

The Peerless Assassin 120 boasts a stylish design, featuring a sizable aluminum heatsink, gray fans, and a gray radiator top that conceals the heat pipes. Its two 120mm fans guarantee excellent airflow and effective heat dissipation. The contemporary and elegant aesthetic suits a variety of build themes, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious PC enthusiasts. The closely related Peerless Assassin 120 SE provides a black color scheme with a less refined top surface.

FX360 Pro

This cooler features a sleek, understated design, perfect for setups aiming for an all-black, stealth fighter aesthetic rather than a flashy, Times Square vibe. The AIO pump adds a touch of reflection, drawing attention to the center of your build. This minimalist style aligns well with those who prefer a clean, sophisticated look for their system, like myself.

Install Notes:

Peerless Assassin 120

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.

FX360 Pro

The installation of this cooler follows the standard procedure for mainstream AIO coolers. You will need to install the fans, which come with an easy daisy chain setup, making the process relatively simple. After connecting the fans, ensure the AIO pump brackets are set up and secure on the motherboard. Next, attach the radiator to the case, make sure the right mounting bracket is on the AIO pump, place the pump on the motherboard mounting brackets, and secure the AIO pump in place. Finally, connect the AIO pump cable to the motherboard pump input and the fans to the CPU input. Overall, this is what you would expect with most mainstream AIO coolers.

Cooling Performance:

Peerless Assassin 120

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.

FX360 Pro

The FX360 Pro offers excellent cooling performance for an AIO, making it capable of handling some of the hottest CPUs. Testing at 100% AIO pump speed demonstrates that this cooler has enough headroom to run at lower speeds for both the fan and pump while maintaining comfortable CPU temperatures, making it extremely competitive option at its price point.

Noise Performance:

Peerless Assassin 120

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.

FX360 Pro

The base noise level is higher for this CPU drive due to the increased pump noise. However, since the testing is done at 100% pump speed, this can easily be toned down to quieter levels. With this in mind, the cooler can offer excellent cooling at moderate noise levels and also handle more demanding tasks, albeit with increased audibility.

Summary:

Peerless Assassin 120

A notable feature of the Peerless Assassin 120 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 a strong contender for your PC setup.

FX360 Pro

The FX360 Pro offers excellent cooling performance for an AIO, capable of handling some of the hottest CPUs. Installation follows the standard procedure for mainstream AIO coolers, with an easy daisy chain setup for the fans and straightforward attachment of the radiator and pump. The cooler features a sleek, understated design, ideal for those aiming for an all-black, stealth fighter aesthetic. Testing at 100% pump speed shows the cooler's headroom to run at lower speeds for both the fan and pump while maintaining comfortable CPU temperatures, making it a competitive option at its price point. Although the base noise level is higher due to the increased pump noise at full speed, this can be reduced to achieve quieter operation. The cooler can offer excellent cooling at moderate noise levels and handle more demanding tasks with increased audibility.