Our Top Picks
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU Air6 Heat Pipe4.92 x 5.31 x 6.1 inches2 poundsCheck on Amazon
The best air CPU cooler for AM5 in this group is the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: a twin-tower design with six heat pipes and two 120mm PWM fans that handles mainstream and high-end Ryzen chips and mounts on AM5 using the motherboard’s built-in backplate. “AM5” means AMD’s LGA1718 socket used by Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 desktop processors. If you want quieter fans in a compact twin tower, the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 fits. If you want a screen on the cooler, look at the Vision MAX models. All six picks here list AM5 support.
Quick List
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE – best overall for AM5 performance without extras
- Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB (black) – best for a cooler with a built-in 5-inch display
- Assassin X120 Refined SE – best for a single-tower cooler in a smaller case
- Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB (white) – best for white builds that want the display
- be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 (black) – best for a quiet, well-known twin tower
- Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB – best for an ARGB-lit twin tower
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the strongest all-round cooling in the list without lighting | Peerless Assassin 120 SE |
| Have a mid-size case and want a smaller, simpler tower | Assassin X120 Refined SE |
| Want lighting that matches an ARGB build | Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB |
| Care most about low noise and a trusted brand | be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 |
| Want a screen for stats or video on the cooler (black build) | Vision MAX ARGB black |
| Want the same screen cooler for a white build | Vision MAX ARGB white |
Check your case clearance first. Four of these coolers stand 155 mm or more, and the Vision MAX models are taller at roughly 164 mm, so measure your case’s maximum CPU cooler height before you buy. If your case is a compact build, the Assassin X120 Refined SE at about 148 mm is the safer fit. Then match your CPU: a mainstream Ryzen 5 or 7 suits any of these, while the hottest chips benefit from a twin tower with strong fans.
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler, 6 Heat Pipes AGHP Technology, Dual 120mm PWM Fans, 1550RPM Speed, for AMD:AM4 AM5/Intel LGA 1700/1150/1151/1200/1851,PC Cooler
Chosen because it specifies 6 Heat Pipes AGHP Technology and Dual 120mm PWM Fans.
View on Amazon
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black CPU Air Cooler, Twin Tower Radiator 2150RPM,480x854 Resolving Power IPS Screen with 5’’,Computer Cooler for Intel lga1851/1700/115x,AM4/AM5
Chosen because it specifies Twin Tower Radiator 2150RPM and 480x854 Resolving Power IPS Screen with 5’’.
View on Amazon
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE CPU Air Cooler, 4 Heat Pipes, TL-C12C PWM Fan, Aluminium Heatsink Cover, AGHP Technology, for AMD AM4/AM5/Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1200/1700/1851(AX120 R SE)
Chosen because it specifies 4 Heat Pipes and TL-C12C PWM Fan.
View on Amazon
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB White CPU Air Cooler, Twin Tower Radiator 2150RPM,480x854 Resolving Power IPS Screen with 5’’,Computer Cooler for Intel lga1851/1700/115x,AM4/AM5
Chosen because it specifies Twin Tower Radiator 2150RPM and 480x854 Resolving Power IPS Screen with 5’’.
View on Amazon
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black AMD and Intel Air CPU Cooler, 250W TDP | Double-Tower Compact Cooler, 2 Silent 120mm PWM Fans, 6 High Performance 6mm Heatpipes, High RAM/VRM Cooling Compatibility
Chosen because it specifies 250W TDP and Double-Tower Compact Cooler.
View on AmazonThermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler,6 Heat Pipes CPU Cooler, Dual TL-C12C-S PWM Fan, Aluminium Heatsink Cover,AGHP Technology,for AMD AM4/AM5/Intel LGA1700/115X/1155/1200/1851
Chosen because it specifies 6 Heat Pipes CPU Cooler and Dual TL-C12C-S PWM Fan.
View on AmazonAll 6 Picks in Detail
1. Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE – Best Overall for AM5
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
This dual-tower cooler uses six 6 mm heat pipes with Thermalright’s AGHP technology and two 120 mm PWM fans rated at 1,550 RPM. Official and retailer specifications list a height of about 155 mm, a heatsink weight around 730 grams and fan noise up to 25.6 dBA. The listing names AM4 and AM5 support along with several Intel sockets. For AMD systems, the cooler uses the motherboard’s own backplate, so you do not need to remove the board to install it in most cases.
Who it suits: builders putting a Ryzen 5, 7 or 9 in a mid-tower and wanting strong air cooling with simple installation. It has no lighting, which keeps the look neutral, and the two fans share the load across the twin tower. In a typical build, one fan sits between the towers pushing air through the first stack, and the other sits on the rear so air passes through both fin sets and out toward the case exhaust. Keep the fan orientation consistent with your case airflow, front-to-back and bottom-to-top, and plug both fan connectors into a splitter or the CPU fan header so the motherboard can control them together.
- Six 6 mm heat pipes, twin tower, nickel-plated copper base
- Two TL-C12C 120 mm PWM fans, 1,550 RPM +/-10%, about 66 CFM per fan
- Height about 155 mm; check your case’s clearance
- AM5 and AM4 supported using the motherboard backplate, per the listing
- Retail pages quote a rating around 265 watts (confirm on listing)
Pros:
- Strong cooling potential for the size
- No lighting or software required
Cons:
- Tall and wide; may block tall RAM if the front fan is not raised
- Needs the motherboard backplate on AM5
Next to the Assassin X120 Refined SE it adds two heat pipes and a second fan, at the cost of extra width and weight.
2. Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB Black – Best for a Built-In Display
The Vision MAX keeps the twin-tower layout but adds a 5-inch IPS screen on top (480 by 854 pixels) and faster 2,150 RPM fans. Retail and manufacturer pages list six 6 mm heat pipes, AM4 and AM5 support, a height near 164 mm and a display that connects through a motherboard USB 2.0 header. Fan specifications reported on retail pages show up to about 69 CFM and noise near 27 dBA, and ARGB lighting uses a 3-pin 5V connector.
Who it suits: builders who want to show temperatures, clocks or custom images in a windowed case and are comfortable installing Thermalright’s software. Because it is the tallest cooler here, a spacious case is essential. The display is driven by software, so it is worth checking that the program supports your operating system before you commit, and remembering that the screen needs a free internal USB 2.0 header on the motherboard. If your case side panel is solid, you will not see the display, so this model is mostly sensible in glass-panel builds.
- 5-inch IPS display, 480 x 854, magnetic top cover per retail pages
- Two 2,150 RPM fans with 4-pin PWM and ARGB connectors
- Height near 164 mm (confirm), so check case clearance
- Six heat pipes with copper base; AM5 supported
- Display needs a USB 2.0 header and companion software
Pros:
- Unique screen for monitoring or decoration
- Higher fan speed range for more airflow on demand
Cons:
- Tallest cooler in the list and needs a large case
- Faster fans can be louder at full speed, so set a fan curve
Compared with the standard 120 SE, you pay in height and complexity for the display and higher fan speed.
3. Assassin X120 Refined SE – Best for Smaller Cases
This is the compact option: a single-tower cooler with four heat pipes, one TL-C12C PWM fan and an aluminum heatsink cover, built on the same AGHP heat pipe technology. Manufacturer and retailer pages give a height around 148 mm, a thermal rating of about 225 watts and AM4 and AM5 support, along with several Intel sockets. The fan is rated at 1,550 RPM +/-10% with noise up to 25.6 dBA.
Who it suits: builders with a compact mid-tower or a case limited to about 150 mm of CPU cooler height. It also suits anyone using lower-power Ryzen processors who wants quiet, simple cooling with generous RAM clearance. The smaller footprint also leaves more room around the VRM heatsinks and the top of the board, which helps in cases that have a top-mounted radiator or exhaust fan close to the CPU socket. Thermalright sells ARGB and white variants of the same design, so if you want lighting or a white finish, check that you are viewing the plain version.
- Four 6 mm heat pipes, single tower with one 120 mm PWM fan
- Height about 148 mm; narrower than the twin-tower options
- Rated around 225 W on retail pages (confirm)
- AM5 and AM4 supported per the listing
- Fan: 1,550 RPM +/-10%, roughly 66 CFM maximum
Pros:
- Compact with easy RAM clearance
- Low noise at normal fan speeds
Cons:
- Less cooling headroom than the twin towers
- May throttle sooner on 170 W-class Ryzen 9 chips under heavy load
It is the simple choice when the 120 SE will not fit or when your CPU does not need a twin tower.
4. Peerless Assassin 120 Vision MAX ARGB White – Best White Build with a Display
This is the white version of the display cooler, with the same twin-tower design, six heat pipes, 5-inch IPS screen and 2,150 RPM fans. The listing mentions Intel LGA1851/1700/115x and AMD AM4/AM5 compatibility. The finish is the main change: a white shroud and fan frames that match white cases, white memory and white motherboards.
Who it suits: anyone building a white PC who wants a cooler with a screen as a visual focal point. All the cautions on height, header use and software that apply to the black model apply here too, and it is best paired with a roomy case with a glass panel. White finishes show scratches less than paint but show dust more, so a quick wipe during routine cleaning keeps the cooler looking sharp. If the rest of your build is black, the black model will blend in better and avoid clashing with other components.
- White finish, same 5-inch 480 x 854 IPS display as the black version
- Twin tower with six heat pipes; height near 164 mm (confirm)
- 2,150 RPM fans with PWM and ARGB connectors
- AM5 and AM4 supported, per the listing
- Requires a USB 2.0 header for the display
Pros:
- Matches white builds without paint or covers
- Same strong twin-tower layout as the black model
Cons:
- Very tall and needs a large case
- White surfaces can show dust faster
The only substantive difference from pick 2 is color, so decide on your case and component palette.
5. be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black – Best for Quiet Operation
The listing describes a black double-tower cooler with a 250 W TDP rating, two 120 mm PWM fans and six high-performance heat pipes for AMD and Intel platforms. Manufacturer information lists a height of 155 mm, outer dimensions around 139 by 124 mm and weight around 1.07 kg, along with AM5 and AM4 support. The Pure Wings 3 fans have a rated maximum noise of about 35 dBA, and the front fan can be raised to improve memory clearance.
Who it suits: buyers who prefer a well-known brand with a no-frills look and a focus on low noise. The black finish suits most cases, and the cooler’s rating makes it appropriate for 105 W and some 170 W Ryzen processors. Installing it is straightforward on AM5 since it uses the board’s own backplate, and the fan clips make it easy to slide the front fan up if your memory is tall. Expect a heavier unit in the hand than the Thermalright coolers, so support the case when moving it.
- Double tower with six heat pipes and two 120 mm PWM fans
- Rated at 250 W TDP per the listing
- Height about 155 mm; weight about 1.07 kg per manufacturer data
- AM5 and AM4 supported; mounting uses AMD’s stock backplate
- Front fan can be moved up for taller memory
Pros:
- Quiet focus and consistent finish
- Established brand with warranty support
Cons:
- Heavier than the Thermalright coolers
- Raising the front fan adds height
Compared with the 120 SE, it is the quieter-minded choice; the 120 SE is more focused on raw cooling potential.
6. Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB – Best Twin Tower with Lighting
This model takes the 120 SE layout and adds ARGB lighting on the fans. The listing names six heat pipes with AGHP technology, a CPU air cooler with an aluminum heatsink cover and dual TL-C12C-S PWM fans, plus AM4 and AM5 support. Specifications otherwise mirror the standard SE: about 155 mm in height, 1,550 RPM fans and a twin-tower design.
Who it suits: builders with a windowed case who want the lighting to match other ARGB components, and who still want proven twin-tower cooling. The lighting connects through a standard 3-pin 5V ARGB header, so it works with most motherboard lighting software. If your motherboard has only one ARGB header, you may need a splitter to run the cooler alongside RAM or case fans. Setting a static color or turning the lighting off in the BIOS is a simple way to keep the look calm when you are not showing off the build.
- Six 6 mm heat pipes with AGHP technology
- Dual TL-C12C-S PWM fans with ARGB lighting
- Height about 155 mm (confirm)
- AM5 and AM4 supported, per the listing
- ARGB requires a motherboard header or controller
Pros:
- Same cooling layout as the best overall with lighting added
- Works with standard ARGB software
Cons:
- Lighting is an extra cable and a possible failure point
- Tall for compact cases
It is the 120 SE with lights; choose it only if you will actually use the lighting.
Specs Compared
| Cooler | Design | Heat pipes | Fans | Height (reported) | AM5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peerless Assassin 120 SE | Dual tower | 6 | 2 x 120 mm PWM, 1,550 RPM | About 155 mm | Yes, per listing |
| Vision MAX ARGB black | Dual tower with 5-inch IPS display | 6 | 2 x 120 mm PWM and ARGB, 2,150 RPM | About 164 mm (confirm) | Yes, per listing |
| Assassin X120 Refined SE | Single tower | 4 | 1 x 120 mm PWM, 1,550 RPM | About 148 mm | Yes, per listing |
| Vision MAX ARGB white | Dual tower with 5-inch IPS display | 6 | 2 x 120 mm PWM and ARGB, 2,150 RPM | About 164 mm (confirm) | Yes, per listing |
| be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 | Dual tower | 6 | 2 x 120 mm PWM | About 155 mm | Yes, per retailer and manufacturer data |
| Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB | Dual tower | 6 | 2 x 120 mm PWM and ARGB | About 155 mm (confirm) | Yes, per listing |
How We Chose These
We worked from the product set currently listed for this topic and checked each cooler’s name, description and specification fields on manufacturer and retailer pages. The key criteria were confirmed AM5 support, heat pipe count, fan configuration, height and any extras such as lighting or a display. We cross-checked listed figures against manufacturer data and flagged items where retail pages differ. We did not run performance measurements or claim temperature results, and the order reflects suitability for AM5 builds rather than a score.
What to Look For
AM5 Mounting and Compatibility
AM5 uses the LGA1718 socket, and its cooler mounting hole spacing is the same 54 mm pattern as AM4. That is why many AM4 coolers carry over, with the motherboard’s built-in backplate and retention frame doing the work. The Thermalright coolers in this group use that backplate rather than bundling their own, so keep it in place when you install. Always check the listing for explicit AM5 support, and confirm that your motherboard has not had its backplate removed. Tighten the mounting screws evenly in a cross pattern and stop when the spring-loaded hardware bottoms out, rather than forcing it.
Cooling Capacity and Your CPU
Cooler ratings such as 225 W or 250 W are manufacturer claims, not measurements. A useful rule of thumb is to compare the rating to your CPU’s package power limit. Ryzen 7000 and 9000 processors with a 65 W TDP typically allow about 88 W of package power, 105 W parts about 142 W, and 170 W parts about 230 W. A single tower rated around 225 W is a comfortable match for a 65 W or 105 W chip, while 170 W Ryzen 9 chips benefit from a twin tower and good case airflow. Ryzen 7000 chips are designed to run warm, with boost behavior that targets high temperatures, so do not panic at readings in the 80s under load.
Worked example: a Ryzen 7 with a 105 W TDP can draw about 142 W under all-core load. A single-tower cooler rated at 225 W has well over 50 percent headroom, whereas a 170 W Ryzen 9 at 230 W would benefit from a 250 W or higher twin tower.
Case Clearance, RAM and Weight
Measure your case’s maximum CPU cooler height and add a few millimeters of margin. A 155 mm cooler wants at least 160 mm of space, and a 164 mm cooler wants roughly 168 to 170 mm. Dual towers with a front fan overhang the RAM slots, so check memory height: many kits are about 31 to 44 mm tall, and tall heat spreaders can clash with the front fan unless it is raised. Weight matters for shipping and for mounting: a 700 to 1,100 gram cooler is normal for a vertically mounted motherboard, but you should lift or ship the PC carefully.
Noise, Fans and Software
Most coolers use 4-pin PWM fans so the motherboard can vary speed with temperature. A flatter fan curve keeps noise down at idle, and a steeper one gives you cooling when you need it. Higher RPM fans, like the 2,150 RPM units on the Vision MAX, move more air but can be louder at full speed. ARGB lighting needs a 3-pin 5V header, while a display cooler also needs a USB 2.0 header and the vendor’s software. Make sure your board has those headers before you buy.
Dual Tower or Single Tower?
A dual tower spreads heat across two fin stacks and normally carries two fans, so it handles sustained loads from 105 W and 170 W Ryzen parts with lower fan speed. A single tower is lighter, cheaper to fit and kinder to RAM clearance, but it has less surface area. If you game or edit video for hours, the extra fin area of a twin tower lets fans spin slower, which is the practical route to a quieter PC. If your PC mostly browses, streams and handles office work, a single tower will almost certainly be plenty.
Questions
Will an AM4 cooler fit an AM5 motherboard?
Often yes, because AM5 keeps the same 54 mm mounting hole spacing as AM4 and uses a similar retention frame. Always confirm that the cooler lists AM5 support, since the clip hardware and CPU height can differ.
Do I need to remove the motherboard to install these coolers?
For AM5, no. The Thermalright coolers use the motherboard’s built-in backplate, so you attach standoffs to it. Intel installs use different mounting hardware, so check what ships in the box.
Is a single tower enough for a Ryzen 7?
For most Ryzen 7 chips with a 105 W TDP, a quality single tower rated around 225 W is a sensible match. Heavy sustained workloads benefit from a twin tower.
Does the screen on the Vision MAX improve cooling?
No. The display is a feature for monitoring and decoration. The cooling comes from the heat pipes, fins and fans, so choose it for the screen, not for temperatures.
How do I know if the cooler fits my case?
Check your case’s listed maximum CPU cooler height and compare it to the cooler’s height, adding a few millimeters of margin. Also check RAM height and the front fan position.
Should I replace the thermal paste that comes with the cooler?
Most users do fine with the included paste. If you remount often or want to reuse a paste you trust, apply a pea-sized dot to the center of the CPU and avoid over-applying.
Update History
- October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Manufacturer product and specification pages for Thermalright and be quiet!
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields for each product
- AMD processor specification pages for TDP and socket information
