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CPU cooler · MODEL NOTES

Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE

A shorter single tower for a build where cooler clearance is a real constraint.

Check with my buildRead the specifications ↓
The decision

The Assassin X 120 Refined SE is worth considering before committing a compact tower to a larger dual-tower cooler. Its published 148 mm heatsink gives a different fit envelope from Thermalright models with similar names. Keep the selection tied to the exact Refined SE and the CPU workload you intend to sustain.

Consider it when

  • A mainstream build needing a simple 120 mm PWM fan.
  • A case that cannot accommodate the taller towers on your shortlist.

Look again when

  • A build selected solely on an unverified thermal-wattage claim.
  • Tall memory that requires the fan to rise beyond the case limit.

THE SPACE IT NEEDS

Check the height with the fan installed

148 mmPublished height
Original dimension guide. The primary dimension is scaled; other geometry is schematic.
Published cooler height
148mm

Confirm the manufacturer fan position, RAM clearance and the case side-panel limit. The drawing does not measure cooling performance.

Check cooler and RAM clearance ↗

Based on the manufacturer specification record, checked . Check the exact revision and installation instructions before buying.

The checks that can change your choice

Measure the fan as installed

The 148 mm figure describes the published heatsink. The fan position, clips and memory beside the socket still need checking; an enclosure should accommodate the final assembly, not just the metal tower.

Check Refined SE hardware

Match the full model name on the seller listing and package. Current socket support includes newer mounting options, but the accessories physically supplied with older stock determine whether you can install it immediately.

Published specifications

Single tower; four 6 mm heatpipes; 120 mm PWM fan; heatsink height 148 mm.

BrandThermalright
Exact modelAssassin X 120 Refined SE
Cooler mounting socketsAM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150
Published cooler height148 mm; fan position can change this
Cooler designair

Current multi-socket product page lists AM4/AM5 and Intel 115x/1200/1700/1851. Verify box mounting hardware; taller RAM can require raising the fan.

Catalog record checked . Manufacturer specifications. The individual references below show the dates used for these model notes.

A different choice worth checking

DeepCool AK400The AK400 keeps the choice focused on a single 120 mm fan and a 155 mm tower. Shortlist it when replacing a basic cooler or finishing a mainstream build; judge the result against your actual CPU power limits and case airflow, rather than treating four heatpipes as a guaranteed cooling capacity.Read this model’s tradeoffs ↗Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SECheck the exact SE model, mounting hardware and installed fan height together. Use temperatures and noise under your workload to judge cooling suitability; a socket-support list cannot answer that question.Read this model’s tradeoffs ↗

These alternatives address related choices. Recheck their platform, connections and fit before treating one as a replacement.

Parts lists using this exact model

These lists show the surrounding components and the tradeoffs. They are editable planning examples, not measured systems.

Follow the check that matters to your build

Sources and review notes

RigAtlas connects manufacturer specifications to component choices. This page is document-based analysis; it does not claim a hands-on test or a current store offer.

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Review this component with your existing selections before making the change.

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