Buying Guide
The Best Single-Tower CPU Coolers
Four air coolers ranked on fan size and height, where the NH-D12L chromax.black has the lowest height; the Assassin X120 Refined SE is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A single tower clears RAM and fits more cases than a dual tower. Every pick has one tower and one fan, ordered by heat pipe count.
Rankings weigh fan size, height and fans included as the makers state them; if a maker skips sockets named, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE
A lower price than the NH-U12S redux and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Our take Check price for Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Noctua NH-U12S redux
A slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Best for: Buyers who want slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-U12S redux (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black
A slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Best for: Buyers who want slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Height
Noctua NH-D12L chromax.black
The lowest height here (145mm).
Best for: Buyers who put height first.
Our take Check price for Noctua NH-D12L chromax.black (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the NH-U12S redux and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the cost under $50. | Check price for Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE (opens in a new tab) |
| A slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots. | Buyers who want slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots. | Check price for Noctua NH-U12S redux (opens in a new tab) |
| A slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots. | Buyers who want slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots. | Check price for Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest height here (145mm). | Buyers who put height first. | Check price for Noctua NH-D12L chromax.black (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Assassin X120 Refined SE is a basic four-heat-pipe tower with one PWM fan and an aluminium cover.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when height of 148mm, behind the NH-D12L chromax.black (145mm is a problem.
Why we like it
At 148mm tall it is a cheap step up from a stock cooler. Its TL-C12C fan is a 120mm PWM unit rated up to 1550rpm, 66.17CFM and 25.6dB(A) or less. The four 6mm heat pipes use Thermalright's AGHP technique, which the maker says handles vertical or horizontal mounting.
It weighs 0.645kg and mounts on AM4, AM5 and Intel sockets up to LGA1851. On height it sits mid-pack at 148mm: the NH-D12L chromax.black comes in at 145mm, and the NH-U12S chromax.black comes in at 158mm. Check that your case offers at least 148mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It undercut the NH-U12S redux and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Heat pipes: 4
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 148mm
- Fans included: 1
Pros
- TL-C12C PWM fan
- Aluminium heatsink cover
- Height of 148mm, ahead of the NH-U12S redux
- A lower price than the NH-U12S redux and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Height of 148mm, behind the NH-D12L chromax.black (145mm)
Also Consider2 of 4
Noctua NH-U12S redux on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-U12S redux is a slim single tower with one 120mm fan.
Best for
- Buyers who want slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Assassin X120 Refined SE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It sits clear of the RAM slots and suits 65W to mid-range CPUs in narrower cases. It is a lower-cost redux version of the NH-U12S, with an NF-P12 redux fan that is near silent at idle. It ships with an NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan, NT-H1 thermal paste and the SecuFirm2 mounting system, and it covers Intel LGA1700 and LGA1200 as well as AMD AM4.
It matches the NH-U12S chromax.black on height (158mm). Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. When we checked, only the Assassin X120 Refined SE cost less, and the NH-U12S chromax.black cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 158mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots
- 120mm fan size
- 158mm height
Cons
- Costs more than the Assassin X120 Refined SE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-U12S is a slim 120mm tower that never overhangs the RAM or blocks the top PCIe slot.
Best for
- Buyers who want slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Skip if
- Skip it if height matters most to you; the NH-D12L chromax.black offers 145mm.
Why we like it
At 158mm it fits most towers, and the black finish suits a dark build. It ships with an NF-F12 120mm PWM fan and a Low-Noise Adaptor, NT-H1 thermal paste and the SecuFirm2 mount, and Noctua backs it with a 6-year warranty. Mounting covers Intel LGA1851, LGA1700 and LGA1200 as well as AMD AM5 and AM4.
On height it ties with the NH-U12S redux at 158mm. Check that your case offers at least 158mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Its price falls between the NH-U12S redux and the NH-D12L chromax.black, based on our last check. If height is your priority, the NH-D12L chromax.black (145mm) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 158mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots
- NF-F12 PWM fan
- All-black finish
Cons
- Height trails the NH-D12L chromax.black (145mm)
- Costs more than the Assassin X120 Refined SE at the time of writing
Lowest Height4 of 4
Noctua NH-D12L chromax.black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NH-D12L is a low 145mm dual-tower cooler that fits many small-form-factor cases, including the NR200 series.
Best for
- Buyers who put height first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Assassin X120 Refined SE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It guarantees full RAM compatibility and comes in all black. Its NF-A12x25r 120mm fan comes with Low-Noise Adaptors and PWM control, and Noctua backs the cooler with a 6-year warranty. Nothing else here matches its 145mm height; the Assassin X120 Refined SE comes closest at 148mm.
Check that your case offers at least 145mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the NH-U12S chromax.black and the rest. The trade-off is fan size; for more, the Assassin X120 Refined SE comes in at 120mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 120mm
- Height: 145mm
- Fans included: 1
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Low 145mm dual-tower design that fits many small-form-factor cases
- Full RAM compatibility
- All-black finish
Cons
- Costs more than the Assassin X120 Refined SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Single-Tower CPU Coolers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up four coolers on fan size, height, fans included and sockets named, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and sockets named is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Assassin X120 Refined SE to the NH-D12L chromax.black, state fan size, height and fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Assassin X120 Refined SE gives no sockets named.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Assassin X120 Refined SE (under $50) to the NH-D12L chromax.black ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Single-Tower CPU Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Height
The NH-D12L chromax.black tops height at 145mm and the NH-U12S chromax.black sits lowest at 158mm. The Assassin X120 Refined SE comes second at 148mm, in the under $50 tier against $100 to $150 for the NH-D12L chromax.black.
Extras that separate them
The NH-U12S redux: a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots. The NH-U12S chromax.black: an NF-F12 PWM fan. The NH-D12L chromax.black: full RAM compatibility.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Assassin X120 Refined SE; $50 to $100 buys the NH-U12S redux and the NH-U12S chromax.black; $100 to $150 buys the NH-D12L chromax.black at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $50: the Assassin X120 Refined SE. Buyers who put height first: the NH-D12L chromax.black.
Confirm the mounting kit
Check that the cooler lists your socket: AM5 and AM4 share mounting, while Intel LGA1851 and LGA1700 share hole spacing. Older coolers may need a free or paid adapter.
How to Choose a Single-Tower CPU Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $50 | Assassin X120 Refined SE | A lower price than the NH-U12S redux and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots | NH-U12S redux | A slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots |
| Buyers who want slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots | NH-U12S chromax.black | A slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots |
| Buyers who put height first | NH-D12L chromax.black | The lowest height here (145mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NH-D12L chromax.black leads on height at 145mm, ahead of the Assassin X120 Refined SE at 148mm. "Not listed" marks sockets named where the Assassin X120 Refined SE leaves the figure out.
| Cooler | Fan size | Height | Fans included | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin X120 Refined SE | 120mm | 148mm | 1 | Not listed |
| NH-U12S redux | 120mm | 158mm | 1 | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| NH-U12S chromax.black | 120mm | 158mm | 1 | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| NH-D12L chromax.black | 120mm | 145mm | 1 | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Assassin X120 Refined SE was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the NH-D12L chromax.black the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Coolers |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Assassin X120 Refined SE |
| About $50 to $100 | NH-U12S redux, NH-U12S chromax.black |
| About $100 to $150 | NH-D12L chromax.black |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NH-D12L chromax.black ahead of the Assassin X120 Refined SE on height?
The NH-D12L chromax.black is lowest on height at 145mm; the Assassin X120 Refined SE follows at 148mm, 2% apart. The NH-U12S chromax.black is at the other end of this group with 158mm.
What does the NH-D12L chromax.black add over the Assassin X120 Refined SE?
What it brings is height (145mm against 148mm). On our last price check the Assassin X120 Refined SE was in the under $50 tier and the NH-D12L chromax.black in the $100 to $150 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if height decides your purchase.
Why is the NH-D12L chromax.black our Lowest Height pick?
The label rests on the lowest height here (145mm). On height it leads the Assassin X120 Refined SE, 145mm against 148mm, a 2% margin. The Assassin X120 Refined SE, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts height first.
What extras do the Assassin X120 Refined SE and the NH-U12S redux include?
The Assassin X120 Refined SE: a TL-C12C PWM fan. The NH-U12S redux: a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots. The NH-U12S chromax.black: a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots.
Should I pick the Assassin X120 Refined SE or the NH-D12L chromax.black?
The Assassin X120 Refined SE suits keeping the cost under $50; the NH-D12L chromax.black suits buyers who put height first.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Assassin X120 Refined SE, chosen for a lower price than the NH-U12S redux and the rest when we checked. Look at the NH-U12S redux for a slim single tower that does not overhang the RAM slots, the NH-U12S chromax.black for a slim tower that does not overhang the RAM slots and the NH-D12L chromax.black for the lowest height here (145mm) if those matter more to you.
Check the height against your case's cooler clearance.