Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB Water Cooling CPU Cooler vs Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler

Price Comparison

The Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB Water Cooling CPU Cooler is priced at C$65.37, while the Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler is significantly more affordable at C$29.90. This represents a price difference of C$35.47, which may be a critical factor for budget-conscious consumers. While the Frozen Notte offers advanced cooling features, the Burst Assassin provides an economical option without compromising on essential cooling capabilities. Therefore, if budget is your primary concern, the Burst Assassin stands out as the more cost-effective choice.

Cooling Performance

The Frozen Notte is designed for superior cooling performance with a maximum pump speed of 5300 RPM and three PWM fans that can reach 2000 RPM. This setup promises an impressive air volume of 72.37 CFM, making it ideal for high-performance CPUs. In contrast, the Burst Assassin features a single tower with a fan speed of 1550 RPM, producing a maximum air flow of 66.17 CFM. While the Burst Assassin still offers decent cooling, it falls short of the Frozen Notte’s capabilities. If high-end cooling performance is your goal, the Frozen Notte is the clear winner.

Build Quality and Design

The Frozen Notte showcases a robust build with a full copper mirror plane base and a black aluminum fin cold plate, ensuring durability and effective thermal conductivity. Its fans are equipped with S-FDB V2 bearings, which contribute to a longer lifespan. Meanwhile, the Burst Assassin uses six nickel-plated pure copper heat pipes and features fin offset technology that avoids memory height limitations. Although both coolers exhibit quality construction, the Frozen Notte’s superior materials and design offer a more premium feel, making it more suitable for enthusiasts looking for longevity and performance.

Noise Levels

In terms of noise, the Frozen Notte operates at a maximum noise level of 27.7 DBA when running its fans at full speed, while the Burst Assassin boasts a quieter operation with a maximum noise level of 25.6 DBA. This difference of 2.1 DBA may not be substantial, but for users prioritizing a quiet computing environment, the Burst Assassin could be more appealing. Nevertheless, the Frozen Notte's advanced cooling features may justify a slightly higher noise level for users who require maximum cooling under load.

Lighting and Aesthetics

For those who appreciate visual flair, the Frozen Notte offers ARGB light synchronization with a total of 1600W colour soft light effects. This allows for a dazzling display that can be customized to fit your personal aesthetic. In comparison, the Burst Assassin features ARGB lighting as well, but lacks the advanced synchronization capabilities found in the Frozen Notte. If aesthetics and RGB customisation are a priority, the Frozen Notte provides a more sophisticated solution that can enhance the overall look of your PC build.

Compatibility

Both coolers support a wide range of CPU sockets, including Intel’s LGA 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700 and AMD’s AM4/AM5, ensuring broad compatibility with various systems. However, the Frozen Notte's compatibility extends to additional Intel sockets such as 2011 and 2066, providing it with an edge for users with older or more diverse setups. The ease of installation is also highlighted for both products, but the broader compatibility of the Frozen Notte makes it a more versatile choice for differing hardware configurations.

Installation Process

The installation process for both coolers is designed to be user-friendly, but they differ in complexity. The Frozen Notte comes with a dual-platform full metal black buckle, which facilitates installation across various CPU platforms. In contrast, the Burst Assassin features an innovative fin offset technology that simplifies installation by avoiding interference with memory height. While both products aim to make setup straightforward, the Burst Assassin may appeal to less experienced users due to its design that mitigates potential installation issues.

Which should you buy?

Ultimately, the decision between the Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB Water Cooling CPU Cooler and the Thermalright Burst Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU Air Cooler hinges on individual needs and preferences. If you seek superior cooling performance, aesthetic appeal, and robust build quality, the Frozen Notte is the better option despite its higher price of C$65.37. Conversely, if you're looking for an economical solution that still provides decent cooling and quieter operation at C$29.90, the Burst Assassin is a commendable choice. Assess your priorities—performance versus budget—to make the best decision for your build.