Whereas inventory coolers are ample for dealing with the fundamental thermal load of a CPU, they typically fall brief in noise effectivity and cooling efficiency. For that reason, superior customers and system builders sometimes bypass inventory coolers in favor of aftermarket options that higher align with their particular necessities. The high-end section of this market is exceptionally aggressive, as producers try to supply the simplest cooling options.
Be Quiet!, established over 20 years in the past, has a status for quiet computing options. Initially making gradual progress, the corporate took important strides after 2010, positioning itself as a number one producer of superior PC parts and peripherals. At present, Be Quiet! boasts an intensive vary of PC energy and cooling merchandise, with its notably noteworthy air coolers.
On this assessment, we concentrate on the Darkish Rock Elite, Be Quiet! ‘s formidable entry into the high-end CPU air cooler section. This cooler is designed to rival top-tier fashions just like the Noctua NH-D15, providing huge proportions for optimum cooling effectivity. The Darkish Rock Elite is crafted to fulfill and exceed the calls for of essentially the most highly effective mainstream CPUs, setting itself aside amidst fierce competitors from numerous producers. Our assessment will delve into the capabilities of the Darkish Rock Elite and its place within the aftermarket cooling market.
| Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2 FX CPU Cooler Specs | |||
| Sort | Tower Cooler | ||
| Dimensions | 120 x 136 x 168 | ||
| Followers | 2 x 135 mm “Silent Wings” Fan 2000 RPM (max) |
||
| RGB | Sure (ARGB) | ||
| Supported Sockets | Intel: LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x
AMD: AM5, AM4 |
||
| Guarantee | 3 Years | ||
| Value | $115 | ||
Packaging & Bundle
The Darkish Rock Elite arrived in Be Quiet! ‘s signature modern black cardboard packaging, a typical theme throughout their product vary. The field options minimalistic particulars and important details about the cooler, with a QR code on the facet that directs customers to a pool of extra complete data. The strong packaging and extra cardboard inserts make sure the cooler’s security throughout transit.
Upon opening the field, we discovered the required mounting {hardware} and directions, reflecting a no-frills method to packaging. This streamlined bundle is attribute of Be Quiet!, specializing in important parts with out extra. The included mounting {hardware} is appropriate with a variety of CPU sockets, accommodating each Intel (1700 / 1200 / 2066 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 / 2011(-3)) and AMD (AM5 / AM4) processors, making the Darkish Rock Elite a flexible choice for numerous PC builds. Be Quiet! additionally features a lengthy screwdriver, essential for the straightforward set up of the cooler.
The Be Quiet! Darkish Rock Elite CPU Cooler
The Darkish Rock Elite stands out with its huge tower CPU cooler design. It incorporates seven high-performance 6 mm copper warmth pipes that effectively conduct warmth away from the bottom to the 2 expansive fin arrays. Measuring a substantial 168 mm (6.4 in) in peak, its dimension is one thing to think about for even massive ATX instances. The cooler weighs over 1.3 kg, and customers ought to by no means transport the system with out eradicating it from the motherboard.
One of many cooler’s most notable options is its particular black coating with ceramic particles. This not solely provides to the visible enchantment of the cooler but in addition supposedly enhances warmth switch effectivity. Whereas we can’t confirm its warmth switch enhancement properties, we can’t argue that it’s an impeccable paint job that covers nearly the whole cooler, contributing to its modern and fashionable look. This specialised coating can be sensible, because it helps defend the copper parts from oxidation, thereby sustaining the cooler’s look over time.
The Darkish Rock Elite additionally options an addressable RGB-lit high cowl. This provides a contact of class and serves as a distinguishing function in its design. Beneath the magnetic encompass, we discover a easy swap that permits the person to pick out between the “efficiency” and “silent” mode fan profiles. The silent mode will prohibit the pace of the followers to a most of 1500 RPM and cut back their pace by about 20% throughout a lot of the PWM vary.
The Darkish Rock Elite cooler incorporates a singular entrance fan mounting rail design, considerably enhancing its compatibility with completely different RAM configurations. This rail design affords adjustable peak settings, permitting for substantial clearance over RAM slots. This function is especially helpful for setups with elevated DIMMs or bigger RAM modules. Nonetheless, one wants to think about that elevating the entrance fan to clear tall RAM modules can even improve the whole peak of the cooler itself, requiring a case of even larger width. Elevating the entrance fan too excessive can even be an aesthetic dissonance.
On the consumption facet, the fins are recessed to scale back turbulence noise, a design selection that successfully minimizes acoustic output whereas sustaining airflow effectivity. Equally, the fins adjoining to each side of the central fan are additionally barely recessed, although to a lesser extent, additional contributing to noise discount. The fins on the exhaust facet of the cooler exhibit an uneven design, possible meant to boost aerodynamic efficiency, thereby bettering air circulation and warmth dissipation. Moreover, the decrease part of the fin arrays is intentionally shortened. This design ensures the cooler stays appropriate with VRM heatsinks on numerous motherboards. Whereas this modification barely reduces the warmth switch floor space, it considerably will increase the cooler’s adaptability to completely different motherboard layouts and configurations, hanging a steadiness between effectivity and flexibility.
The bottom of the Darkish Rock Elite is extra intricate than what we sometimes see in normal tower cooler designs. Be Quiet! has engineered the bottom to perform as a small heatsink in itself. Whereas this may not result in a drastic enhancement in efficiency, it contributes to the dissipation of a specific amount of thermal power, marginally boosting the cooler’s general effectivity. The cooler’s warmth pipes instantly contact the CPU shim, optimizing warmth switch. Though it doesn’t include a pre-applied thermal pad, the nickel-plated base is designed to be appropriate with high-performance thermal compounds, together with liquid metallic thermal greases. This method would possibly require extra cautious utility, however it permits for superior thermal conductivity and caters to the wants of fans preferring customizing their thermal interface materials.
One of many defining options of the Darkish Rock Elite is its Silent Wings PWM followers. In contrast to the Mild Wings fan of the Pure Rock 2 FX, the Silent Wings followers don’t function LED lighting, which may now be discovered solely on the highest cowl of the cooler. These followers have a state-of-the-art motor and airflow-optimized fan blades, guaranteeing environment friendly warmth dissipation. They function at various speeds based mostly on the chosen mode, with a most of 2000 RPM in efficiency mode, balancing cooling effectivity with quiet operation.
