The Deepcool Gamer Storm Assassin is an exceptional high-end air cooler. Not only did it prove to be more than a match against many of the industry's top contenders, it did so at a lower price. With an MSRP of $69.99, this particular cooler is simply unmatched. It manages to go toe to toe with the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2 and Phanteks PH-TC14PE, both of which tend to be anywhere from $15-$30 more expensive. Even more impressive is that it managed such performance while still being very quiet. Coming in at 45 dBA is not as impressive as the Dark Rock Pro 2's 42 dBA, but it is quieter than the Phanteks PH-TC14PE at 46 dBA. The lack of noise can be attributed to the fans TPE coating and hydro bearings. Deepcool really outdid themselves on this one. Installing the Assassin is also very easy and straightforward because the mounting hardware is well thought out and easy to work with. The mirror finished base is also a nice touch. I am even surprised by the packaging Deepcool used as its multiple layers of cardboard and smaller boxes protect the product exceptionally well. Overall, this air cooler is a perfect example of exceptional performance for its price in the high-end category.

As with any product, there are things that can be improved. The lack of PWM support on the 120 mm UF series fan is one such issue. Locked at 1200 RPM (+/- 10%), the fan puts out a tiny bit of excess noise. PWM support would allow for noise levels to be improved while simplifying general usage because end users would no longer need to find workarounds via system fan headers or fan controllers. Another issue is a common one among today's behemoth air coolers: It looms over the DIMM slots. This is not an issue with standard-height memory, but fancy memory kits, Corsair's Dominators included, will not fit. Another major issue isn't so much a problem as it is a worry: The Deepcool Gamer Storm Assassin weighs 1378 g. That is roughly 3 lbs hanging off the motherboard. This shouldn't be a problem, but it is something to keep in mind if you move your system around often. Its biggest current problem, though, is the lack of availability, which will hopefully be resolved in the coming months.

The only other thoughts I have come down to color scheme and pricing. The green fans won't be for everyone. Pair it up with matching components, however, and you could have an aesthetically pleasing build. NVIDIA's GPUs, the GTX 770, GTX 780 or Titan, with a reference cooler and one of Gigabyte's Sniper series of motherboards come to mind as possible options to pair the Assassin with. The MSRP at $69.99 is, as I stated previously, fantastic, but Deepcool's Gamer Storm Assassin hovered at around the $80-$90 mark when previously in stock. The closer it is to the MSRP, the better a purchase it becomes, but its lack of availability makes this a wait and see situation.

In conclusion, the Deepcool Gamer Storm Assassin should be on your short list if you are looking for a topnotch air cooler with a bit of flair and low noise output at an exceptional price.