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DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: Comparison
DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL vs Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: the noise level difference
There is no decisive spec gap here. Noise level splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL 28 dBA against Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 25.6 dBA. Add fan count to that, 1 on the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL versus 2 on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE, and the pattern holds. DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL also leads on static pressure, 2.19 mmH2O on the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL versus 1.53 mmH2O on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE. Add max speed to that, 1850 RPM on the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL versus 1550 RPM on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE, and the pattern holds.
Who each one is for
Take the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL for buyers who want a genuinely useful at-a-glance temperature display without extra software. It also earns its place with mid-to-high tier single-tower cooling for builds that don't need a full dual-tower cooler. It is the wrong buy for the heaviest overclocking, where the DeepCool AK620, covered elsewhere on this site, cools better. Take the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE for budget and mid-range builds up to about 200W sustained. Nothing else at $32 gets close. It is equally the pick for first-time builders. The mounting hardware is genuinely simple and the bundled screwdriver reaches everything. It is not the one for mATX or SFF cases. 155mm of height rules out most of them. Our rating of the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL (8.1/10): A smart mid-tier single-tower cooler whose display feature is a genuine, software-free convenience rather than a gimmick.
Frequently asked questions
Do the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE differ on airflow?
Yes. Airflow reads 68.99 CFM on the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL versus 66.17 CFM on the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE.
Is the Cooler Type the same on the DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL and Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE?
It is. Both are listed at Air Tower, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- DeepCool
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Thermalright
Cooler Type
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- Air Tower
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Air Tower
Series
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Peerless Assassin
Model Number
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- R-AK500-BKADMN-G
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- PA120 SE
Height
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 160 mm-3%
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 155 mmBest
Socket Compatibility
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA2066/2011-v3/2011/1851/1700/1200/1151/1150/1155
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X
Tower Layout
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- Single-Tower
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Dual-Tower
Fan Count
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 1-50%
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 2Best
Noise Level
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 28 dBA
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 25.6 dBABest
Heatpipe Count
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 5
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 6
Fan Size
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 120 mm
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 120 mm
Max Speed
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 1850 RPMBest
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 1550 RPM-16%
Airflow
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 68.99 CFMBest
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 66.17 CFM-4%
Static Pressure
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 2.19 mmH2O
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 1.53 mmH2O-30%
Bearing Type
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- Fluid Dynamic
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Fluid Dynamic
PWM Control
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- Yes
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Yes
Lighting
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- ARGB
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- None
Fan Connection
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- Standard 4-Pin PWM
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- Standard 4-Pin PWM
Fans
- DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
- 1x FK120 120mm FDB PWM, 500-1850 RPM
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- 2x 120mm TL-C12C PWM
Which one should you pick?
Choose DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL if you want the higher max speed (1850 RPM vs 1550 RPM), the higher airflow (68.99 CFM vs 66.17 CFM) and the higher static pressure (2.19 mmH2O vs 1.53 mmH2O).
Choose Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE if you want the lower height (155 mm vs 160 mm), the higher fan count (2 vs 1) and the lower noise level (25.6 dBA vs 28 dBA).
Price comparison
| Retailer | DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $32.31 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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
DeepCool AK500 DIGITAL
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
A smart mid-tier single-tower cooler whose display feature is a genuine, software-free convenience rather than a gimmick.
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The best cooling-per-dollar in air cooling right now.