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Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120: Comparison

Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 fan count compared

Fan count is where these two genuinely part company, Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero 3 against Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 2, a 33% lead for Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero. Cooler type is not the same on both, AIO Liquid on the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero versus Air Tower on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120. Socket compatibility is not the same on both, Intel LGA1200 on the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero versus AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011 on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120. There is a split on tower layout as well, Not Applicable on the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero versus Dual-Tower on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120.

Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120: which one fits your build

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero suits extreme overclocking on unlocked flagship CPUs and enthusiasts chasing sub-ambient temperatures, though it is not the pick for typical mainstream or locked-CPU builds and users who don't want extra proprietary control software. The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 is the one to take for budget builders who want dual-tower performance without RGB markup and 220W-class CPUs across a wide range of socket generations, though it is not built for builders wanting RGB lighting out of the box and very compact cases with limited dual-tower clearance. Avoid it for anyone who can get the SE variant for a similar price, which edges it out thermally. Our rating of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero (7.9/10): remarkable thermal ceiling for extreme overclockers, but overkill and software-dependent for typical builds. Our rating of the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 (8.5/10): an excellent value dual-tower cooler in its own right, just slightly outclassed by Thermalright's own SE variant when both are priced closely.

What Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 have in common

Everything else lines up. Fan size read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Brand

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    Cooler Master
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    Thermalright
  • Cooler Type

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    AIO Liquid
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    Air Tower
  • Series

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
  • Model Number

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    MLZ-D36M-A19PK-12
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    PA120
  • Socket Compatibility

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    Intel LGA1200
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X/2066/2011
  • Tower Layout

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    Not Applicable
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    Dual-Tower
  • Fan Count

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    3Best
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    2-33%
  • Fan Size

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero
    120 mm
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    120 mm

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero if you want the higher fan count (3 vs 2).

    Choose Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Price comparison

    RetailerCooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-ZeroThermalright Peerless Assassin 120
    AmazonView on Amazon

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero

    7.9 / 10 Expert Rating

    Remarkable thermal ceiling for extreme overclockers, but overkill and software-dependent for typical builds.

    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120

    8.5 / 10 Expert Rating

    An excellent value dual-tower cooler in its own right, just slightly outclassed by Thermalright's own SE variant when both are priced closely.

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