Budget Choice: Thermalright Assassin King SE 120 Review

Today, we'll be exploring the Thermalright Assassin King SE 120 ARGB, possibly the best budget cooler available for around $20. This cooler is priced at approximately 20 bucks, a remarkably low cost for a 120mm tower cooler with addressable RGB lighting. It's incredible to see how technology advancements and reduced production costs have made such quality coolers available at such affordable prices, especially when compared to the costlier Arctic Freezer 34 and similar models that used to be popular.

This updated version, the Assassin King 120 SE, features five heat pipes compared to the previous version's four. While the core design remains quite similar, this upgrade promises better performance. We'll take a closer look at the unboxing process, delve into the specifications, perform a full installation on an AM4 motherboard, and later in the video, conduct testing to compare it with the results from the previous Assassin X model.

The compact size of this cooler, standing at 148mm tall, ensures compatibility with most ATX and Micro ATX cases, making it a versatile choice. It offers support for the new Intel LGA 1700 socket, along with LGA 1200 and 115x. AMD users can also benefit from its AM4 compatibility, with the possibility of AM5 support, given that it uses the standard AM5 backplate.

The cooler's accessories are minimal but effective. You'll find thermal paste, Intel backplate for various socket types, stickers to secure the backplate, universal mounting brackets for AMD and Intel, and color-coded, individually bagged mounting pillars, making installation straightforward.

The installation process on an AM4 motherboard involves removing the existing AM4 mountings, attaching spacers, securing metal brackets, applying thermal paste, and attaching the cooler, with the final step being fan connection. The process is simple and doesn't require any complex steps.

Let's begin by examining the idle temperatures compared with the older predecessor of this cooler using AMD Ryzen 9 CPU. With the Assassin X, the lowest recorded idle temperature was 34.6 degrees, whereas the King SE managed a slightly lower temperature of 32.8 degrees. It appears that the additional heat pipe in the King SE may be contributing to improved cooling. The room temperature this time around differed by approximately one degree from our previous testing, with today's conditions being just slightly over 22 degrees, whereas it was slightly over 23 degrees previously. This is a relatively minor variation and falls within the margin of error.

Now, when we shift our focus to the highest recorded temperatures, we observe a different trend. With the Assassin X, we recorded a peak temperature of 71.1 degrees, whereas the King SE reached 71.9 degrees. Again, this is within a one-degree difference, and considering the one-degree cooler room today, it could be argued that the Assassin X performed slightly better.

However, in the Cinebench results, we see that the performance is essentially identical. The Assassin X achieved a score of 18335, while the King SE scored 18323. This minimal difference falls well within the margin of error and aligns with our expectations for this processor and setup.

As for noise levels, both coolers are impressively quiet, producing a smooth and unobtrusive amount of noise. They are notably quieter than most case fans on the market. Additionally, the installation process is straightforward for Intel systems, as the King SE is compatible with M5 and socket LGA 1700, 1200, and others. The RGB lighting, when illuminated, looks aesthetically pleasing, and there are no significant differences between the King SE and the Assassin X in this regard. Ram clearance remains excellent, accommodating high-profile RGB RAM or RAM with heatsinks with ease.

In terms of performance, the cooler's idle temperatures showed a slight improvement compared to the previous model, but there was a minor increase in load temperatures. While these differences are within the margin of error, they suggest that the additional heat pipe may not significantly impact cooling performance. The cooler operates silently, making it a quiet choice for most users.

Ultimately, the choice between this cooler and the previous model often comes down to price, as they perform quite similarly. Pricing variations may exist in different regions, so it's worth checking local prices. However, it's important to note that the Assassin King SE 120 ARGB offers great value for budget-conscious users, especially considering its robust performance, compact design, and excellent RAM clearance.

The Thermalright Assassin King SE 120 ARGB is an attractive cooler option for those looking to balance budget and performance. It offers a solid cooling solution, and while it doesn't drastically outperform its predecessor, it remains a competitive choice in the budget cooler market.