Research-based guide with Analyzed Dinho Scores. Prices and specs are sourced and dated. How we score is explained on the How We Score page.
The short answer
Most gaming PCs need only the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE at $34.90: it held a 200 W load at 61 C over ambient in a review. AMD rates the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 120 W, so a 200 W cooler leaves headroom. Buy the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 at $69.89 if you want an all-in-one liquid cooler and the Noctua NH-D15 G2 at $159.94 if you want the highest-scoring air cooler. The Noctua fits RAM up to 32 mm tall with both fans fitted, so check your memory height first. The Dinho Score measures the cooler itself, not its price.
Noctua NH-D15 G2, dual-tower air cooler
Dinho Score · Analyzed
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, 360 mm all-in-one
Dinho Score · Analyzed
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE, dual-tower air cooler
Dinho Score · Analyzed
What each cooler costs
| Cooler | Price | Maker list price | Difference | Read on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE | $34.90 | $36.00 | $1.10 below | 6 November 2026 |
| ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | $69.89 | $124.99 | $55.10 (44.1%) below | 6 November 2026 |
| Noctua NH-D15 G2 | $159.94 | $149.95 | $9.99 (6.7%) above | 6 November 2026 |
Price check, 6 November 2026
- Value: the Peerless Assassin 120 SE at $34.90 and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 at $69.89 are good value; the NH-D15 G2 at $159.94 is fair value.
The numbers that decide it
| Measure | Peerless Assassin 120 SE | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | NH-D15 G2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Dual-tower air, 6 heatpipes | 360 mm all-in-one, 38 mm radiator | Dual-tower air, 8 heatpipes |
| Size and weight | 155 mm tall, 730 g | 2.02 kg, needs a 360 mm radiator mount | 168 mm tall, 1,525 g |
| Fans | One 120 mm, 1,550 rpm, 25.6 dBA max | Three 120 mm, 600 to 3,000 rpm | Two 140 mm, up to 1,500 rpm, 24.8 dBA max |
| Measured cooling | 61 C over ambient at 200 W (Cinebench), 64 C in OCCT | 61 C over ambient at 40 dBA (Pro 420 mm model); 80.9 C at 1,500 rpm on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 155 W (Pro 360 review) | Holds 234 to 240 W at about 45 dBA |
| Measured noise | Quiet in every workload tested | 47 to 58.6 dBA at full speed depending on the review; 46 dBA at 1,900 rpm | 44.2 to 44.6 dBA maximum |
| Fit with tall RAM | Not stated by the maker; check the kit height | No tower over the memory slots | 32 mm with both fans, 59 mm with one fan, 52 mm with a 120 mm front fan |
| Warranty | Listings differ, from 1 to 5 years | 6 years | 6 years |
| AM5 support | Yes | Yes, offset mounting | Yes, AM5 paste guard included |
The NH-D15 G2 and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 are tied at 81 on the Dinho Score, with the Noctua ahead by a fraction of a point. The air cooler needs no radiator mount and has no pump to fail, but its fit score is lower because both fans only clear RAM up to 32 mm. Noctua says the front fan can be raised a few millimetres for taller modules, which adds that much height to the cooler. The liquid cooler wins on price: at $69.89 it costs $90.05 (56.3%) less than the Noctua. For a complete parts list see the gaming PC builds, and for the processor itself read Best Gaming CPU.
Noctua NH-D15 G2: pros and cons
| + Pros | – Cons |
|---|---|
| Holds about 240 W at roughly 45 dBA | $159.94 is the most expensive of the three |
| 6-year warranty, AM5 and Intel mounts in the box | 168 mm tall, so check the case side panel |
| No pump, no liquid | Reviewers call it poor value at $150 |
| No radiator mount needed | RAM taller than 32 mm needs the fan raised or swapped |
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: pros and cons
| + Pros | – Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong cooling on a 360 mm radiator | Fans reach 3,000 rpm and get loud at full speed |
| 6-year warranty and MX-6 paste included | Needs a case with 360 mm radiator support |
| Extra fan for the motherboard power circuits | 63 mm clearance is needed for the fans |
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: pros and cons
| + Pros | – Cons |
|---|---|
| $34.90 and enough for a 200 W load | One fan only |
| Passed a 200 W test at half fan speed in a review | Warranty length is listed differently by sellers |
| 155 mm tall, fits most cases | Dual tower, so check clearance next to tall RAM |
Which one to buy
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Build a gaming PC around a Ryzen 7 9800X3D on a budget | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE |
| Want a clean look and the strongest cooling per dollar | ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 |
| Want the quietest cooling and a 6-year warranty | Noctua NH-D15 G2 |
| Have a small case | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE (155 mm) |
| Use RAM taller than 32 mm | ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 (no tower over the memory) |
Last checked 6 November 2026. More in PC Components.
Sources
- PCPartPicker: lowest listed prices, read 6 November 2026
- Noctua: NH-D15 G2 specifications
- Noctua: RAM clearance of the NH-D15 and NH-D15 G2
- Thermalright: Peerless Assassin 120 SE (specifications)
- ARCTIC: Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 (specifications)
- Club386: Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 ARGB review (noise by fan speed) and OCinside: Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 A-RGB review (Ryzen 7 9800X3D temperatures)
- Tom’s Hardware, TechPowerUp, KitGuru and Hardware Busters reviews of the three coolers (temperatures, noise and warranty)
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