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Thermalright Assassin X120-A Dark All-Black CPU Air Cooler, 4 Heat Pipes, High-Airflow 120mm PWM Fan, 2400RPM, 85.35CFM, for AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700
- Made for all-black and non-RGB PC builds, ASSASSIN X120-A DARK uses a dark heatsink, black fan, and black top cover to hide exposed heat-pipe ends, giving the cooler a cleaner look through side-window cases
- Four 6mm heat pipes with Thermalright AGHP design help pull heat away from the CPU surface, making this single tower CPU air cooler a solid upgrade from basic stock cooling for everyday work, gaming, and multitasking
- The TL-N12-R9 V2 120mm PWM fan runs up to 2400RPM and delivers 85.35CFM airflow with 2.95mmH2O static pressure, giving the cooler extra airflow headroom when the system is under heavier load
- A continuous blade tip ring helps guide airflow through the heatsink and supports fan stability at higher speeds. 4Pin PWM control lets the fan slow down during light use and ramp up when more cooling is needed
- Pressure-style mounting hardware helps keep the heatsink firmly seated on the CPU. The 151mm cooler height fits many mainstream tower cases and supports AMD AM5/AM4 and Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X platforms. TF4 thermal paste is included
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Overview
Specs
Reviews
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Thermalright ASSASSIN X120-A DARK is an all-black single tower CPU air cooler built for mainstream Intel and AMD desktop systems. With its black heatsink, black fan, and black top cover, it looks cleaner in side-window cases than exposed-top tower coolers and fits well in non-RGB PC builds.
Four 6mm heat pipes with Thermalright AGHP design help move heat away from the CPU. The 120mm PWM fan reaches up to 2400RPM and delivers 85.35CFM airflow with 2.95mmH2O static pressure, giving the cooler stronger airflow headroom for daily work, gaming, and multitasking.
The continuous blade tip ring helps guide airflow at higher speeds, while pressure-style mounting hardware helps keep the heatsink firmly seated on the CPU. TF7 thermal paste is included for installation.
Key Specs:
4×6mm heat pipes
120×46×151mm cooler size
120mm 4Pin PWM fan
2400RPM max fan speed
85.35CFM airflow
2.95mmH2O static pressure
33.3dB(A) noise level
AMD AM5/AM4
Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X
Please check your PC case CPU cooler clearance, motherboard socket, and memory clearance before purchase.
Warranty & Returns
Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information
Warranty
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- Return for refund within: 30 days
- Return for replacement within: non-replaceable
- This item is covered by THERMALRIGHT STORE Return Policy
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The Thermalright Assassin X120-A Dark is a single-tower CPU air cooler for all-black, non-RGB PC builds, combining four 6mm heat pipes with a 2400RPM 120mm PWM fan. It suits everyday work, gaming, multitasking, and mainstream AMD AM5/AM4 or Intel LGA1851/1700 systems in cases with at least 151mm CPU-cooler clearance.
Recommended For
- Budget PC builders replacing a basic stock cooler on a mainstream AMD or Intel CPU for everyday work, gaming, and multitasking; the Assassin X 120-A Dark uses a single-tower, four-heat-pipe design positioned for entry-level cooling rather than maximum CPU performance.
- Stock-settings gamers who want lower temperatures and a quieter alternative to a basic boxed cooler without moving to a liquid cooler; professional testing found the closely related Assassin X 120 R SE suitable for stock-speed CPUs and relatively quiet during typical workloads.
- Builders creating a clean, all-black PC with a side-window case who want a non-RGB cooler that blends with black fans, heatsinks, and top covers instead of adding lighting.
- DIY PC builders working across current mainstream platforms who want one air cooler that supports AMD AM4/AM5 and Intel LGA115X, LGA1200, LGA1700, and LGA1851 systems.
- Mainstream tower-PC builders with approximately 151 mm of CPU-cooler clearance who prefer a conventional 120 mm single-tower cooler over a larger dual-tower heatsink.
Real-World Use Scenarios
- Replacing a basic stock cooler in a mainstream AM4, AM5, or Intel desktop: users can expect lower CPU temperatures and less fan noise during everyday work, web browsing, and multitasking, provided the case has normal airflow.
- Gaming on a mainstream processor with a dedicated graphics card: the cooler should handle typical CPU and GPU gaming loads at stock settings, while fan speed increases during demanding games or poorly ventilated sessions.
- Building a quiet office, school, or general-purpose PC: PWM control lets the fan run more slowly during light workloads, so the system can remain relatively unobtrusive when the CPU is not under sustained load.
- Assembling an all-black, non-RGB PC with a side window: the dark heatsink, black fan, and covered heat-pipe ends provide a more uniform appearance without adding lighting or requiring software control.
- Installing the cooler in a mainstream mid-tower with limited height clearance: the 151 mm single-tower design is more likely to fit than larger dual-tower coolers, but users should still compare the case's CPU-cooler clearance before purchasing.
- Running long CPU-rendering, compiling, or benchmark workloads on a high-power unlocked processor: the cooler can provide useful stock-setting cooling, but sustained heavy loads may produce higher temperatures and fan noise; users seeking overclocking headroom should consider a larger dual-tower cooler.
Spec Summary
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Best For | CPU air cooling in desktop PC builds using a 120mm fan-and-heatsink solution, with black styling and included mounting hardware and thermal paste |
| Cooling Configuration | Air-cooled fan-and-heatsink design with a 120mm cooling fan |
| Fan Performance | 120mm fan rated up to 2400 RPM, producing 85.35 CFM airflow and 33.3 dB(A) noise |
| Power And Control | 12V DC operation with a 2.4W draw and 4-pin power connection |
| Compatibility And Mounting | Designed for CPU cooling and supplied with a mounting kit, 4-pin PWM cable, and installation manual |
| Physical Design | Black construction using aluminum, copper, and plastic components; cooler dimensions are 4.72 × 1.81 × 5.94 inches |
| Weight And Packaging | The cooler weighs 500 grams and ships in a package weighing 0.88 kilograms, measuring 11.7094 × 15.7988 × 18.1102 centimeters |
| Included Components | CPU cooler, fan, mounting kit, TF4 thermal paste, 4-pin PWM cable, and manual |
| Model Identifiers | Thermalright ASSASSIN X120-A DARK CPU cooler |
Reference Q&A
Q: Is the Thermalright Assassin X120-A Dark better than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE?
A: Choose the Assassin X120-A Dark for a more compact, all-black build and mainstream CPUs. Its 151 mm height, single-tower design, and 120 mm fan are easier to fit than the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, which uses a larger dual-tower heatsink with six heat pipes and two fans. Choose the Peerless Assassin 120 SE when sustained high-power workloads, CPU upgrades, or lower temperatures under heavy loads matter more than size and appearance.
Q: Should I buy the Assassin X120-A Dark or the Assassin X 120 Refined SE?
A: Choose the Assassin X120-A Dark when you want an all-black, non-RGB appearance and a higher-speed fan with more airflow headroom. The Assassin X 120 Refined SE has a similar single-tower, four-heat-pipe layout but uses a lower-speed 1500 RPM fan rated at 66.17 CFM and 25.6 dBA. Choose the Refined SE when lower rated fan noise or a lower-cost configuration is more important than the Dark model's black styling and higher maximum airflow.
Q: Is the Assassin X120-A Dark a meaningful upgrade over a stock CPU cooler?
A: Yes, for gaming, multitasking, and sustained CPU workloads, the Assassin X120-A Dark is the more capable choice because it adds a dedicated four-heat-pipe tower heatsink and a 120 mm PWM fan rated for up to 2400 RPM and 85.35 CFM. A stock cooler remains practical when the CPU is used for light office work and the lowest possible cost or simplest installation is the priority. The exact temperature and noise improvement depends on the CPU, case airflow, and stock cooler model.
Q: Is the Assassin X120-A Dark suitable for a compact or clearance-sensitive PC case?
A: The Assassin X120-A Dark is suitable for many mainstream tower cases because its listed height is 151 mm, but it is not a low-profile cooler. Check the case's maximum CPU-cooler height before buying. Its single-tower 120 mm layout generally creates fewer clearance concerns than a larger dual-tower cooler, while a low-profile cooler remains the better option for slim, small-form-factor, or very restricted cases.
Q: Will this CPU cooler fit my processor and motherboard?
A: It supports AMD AM5 and AM4 processors plus Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, and LGA115X platforms. Confirm that the included mounting hardware matches your exact motherboard and CPU socket before installation. ([bestbuy.com](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/cooler-master-hyper-212-120mm-cpu-cooling-fan-black-edition/11236533?utm_source=openai))
Q: Will it fit inside my PC case?
A: The cooler is 151 mm tall, so the case must provide at least 151 mm of CPU-cooler clearance. Also check the motherboard layout and memory height, especially in compact or prebuilt systems, because physical clearance can vary even when the CPU socket is supported. ([newegg.com](https://www.newegg.com/p/13C-0004-00098/questions?utm_source=openai))
Q: Is this cooler quiet enough for everyday use and gaming?
A: Its 120 mm PWM fan can automatically reduce speed during light workloads and reach up to 2400 RPM under heavier loads. The listed maximum noise level is up to 33.3 dB(A), so it may be more audible at full speed than at typical desktop loads. ([bestbuy.com](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/cooler-master-hyper-212-120mm-cpu-cooling-fan-black-edition/11236533?utm_source=openai))
Q: Is it a worthwhile upgrade from a basic stock CPU cooler?
A: It is designed as a single-tower upgrade for everyday work, gaming, and multitasking. Four 6 mm heat pipes and an 85.35 CFM 120 mm fan provide more cooling headroom than basic stock cooling, but the cooler is still a single-tower design and is not intended to replace larger high-capacity coolers for every high-power processor. ([newegg.com](https://www.newegg.com/p/35-607-018/questions?utm_source=openai))
Q: Is installation difficult, and does it include thermal paste?
A: The cooler includes pressure-style mounting hardware and TF4 thermal paste. Installation still requires access to the motherboard mounting points, and prebuilt PCs may use proprietary cases or brackets that can limit compatibility. ([bestbuy.com](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/thermaltake-contac-silent-12-120mm-cpu-cooling-fan-black-white/6353113?utm_source=openai))
Q: Is the Thermalright Assassin X120-A Dark suitable for everyday gaming and general-use PCs?
A: Yes. Its single-tower design, four 6 mm heat pipes, and high-airflow 120 mm PWM fan make it a practical upgrade over basic stock cooling for everyday work, gaming, and multitasking. It is best suited to mainstream or moderately powered CPUs rather than high-wattage processors running unrestricted workloads.
Q: Is the Assassin X120-A Dark enough for a high-power or unlocked Intel CPU?
A: It depends on the CPU's sustained power draw. Community discussions indicate that this class of single 120 mm tower cooler can work with some higher-power CPUs when power limits are reduced or the processor is undervolted, but unrestricted high-wattage chips may run hot and loud. A larger dual-tower cooler is the safer choice for sustained heavy workloads or overclocking.
Q: Is it worth buying instead of using a stock CPU cooler?
A: Usually, yes, if the price is close to budget-cooler levels. Reddit discussions commonly describe the Assassin X120 family as an inexpensive improvement over stock cooling, with better thermal headroom and potentially lower noise. If the CPU already includes an adequate cooler and the system has light workloads, the upgrade is useful but not essential.
Q: Will the Assassin X120-A Dark fit in a mainstream PC case without interfering with other components?
A: The cooler is 151 mm tall and supports AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, and LGA115X platforms. Check the case's CPU-cooler clearance before buying. Community installation questions also show that the correct platform-specific mounting hardware and backplate setup are important, especially on older motherboards.
Q: What are the main trade-offs of choosing this cooler over a larger tower cooler?
A: The Assassin X120-A Dark is shorter and generally less obstructive than many dual-tower coolers, which can help with case space and RAM access. The trade-off is lower cooling capacity under sustained high CPU power, plus the possibility of higher fan speeds and noise when heavily loaded. It is better matched to compact or budget-focused builds than to maximum-performance CPUs.