I'm putting together my first serious PC in years, moving on from a dying laptop. I'm excited to play some AAA games and also tackle some productivity tasks like video editing and using Blender. I've picked most of my components, including the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, but I'm still deciding on a case and a CPU cooler.
I've heard that the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is sufficient for the 7800X3D and even for the 9800X3D. However, since the 9850X3D runs hotter and consumes more power compared to the 9800X3D, I'm wondering if the Peerless Assassin would still do the job or if I should be looking at AIO liquid cooling instead.
Also, does the case I choose (like its size, material, and internal fans) significantly impact cooling performance? I'm considering the Montech XR case, but I'm not completely sold yet. Cost isn't a huge issue, and I don't mind spending a bit more for good performance, though aesthetics and lighting aren't crucial for me.
3 Answers
Honestly, if cooling is the main concern, the Peerless Assassin should do a decent job without breaking the bank. Air coolers have come a long way, and some even outperform 240mm AIOs nowadays; it really depends on how you plan to use the system.
If you're going for the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, it should be just fine for the 9850X3D. The extra heat it generates isn't too crazy compared to the 9800X3D, and with some good airflow, you should manage just fine. The dual-tower coolers these days are pretty impressive!
I agree! The Peerless is a solid choice, especially if you're not pushing it too hard. Just ensure you have good case ventilation.
I would recommend checking out the Phantom Spirit 120 SE or the Evo versions. They have an extra heat pipe and they cool really well, even with the 7800X3D! Plus, they look pretty sleek too!
Exactly! I've been using air coolers for a while, and they manage to handle heavy loads perfectly fine. You might be surprised by their performance!