be quiet! Dark Rock 5 CPU Cooler Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The be quiet! Dark Rock 5 CPU cooler is a premium cooling solution designed to keep your processor cool and quiet under even the most demanding workloads. With its impressive Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM fan, six heatpipes, and a TDP rating of 210W, the Dark Rock 5 promises top-notch performance and whisper-silent operation. But does it deliver on its promises? I’ve been putting the Dark Rock 5 through its paces for the past few weeks, and in this comprehensive review, I’ll share my findings, covering everything from its features and performance to its pros and cons.
Features
The be quiet! Dark Rock 5 comes packed with features that contribute to its exceptional cooling performance and user-friendliness. Some of its notable highlights include:
- Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM Fan: The Dark Rock 5 features be quiet!’s renowned Silent Wings 4 fan, known for its smooth operation and low noise levels. This fan boasts a fluid dynamic bearing, 6-pole motor, and optimized fan blade design, resulting in efficient airflow and minimal noise generation.
- 6 Heatpipes: With six copper heatpipes, the Dark Rock 5 efficiently transfers heat away from your CPU. These heatpipes are in direct contact with the CPU base, ensuring effective heat dissipation.
- Aluminum Fins: The heatpipes are connected to a large aluminum fin array, maximizing the surface area for heat dissipation. This design contributes to the Dark Rock 5’s impressive cooling capacity.
- Copper Base: The Dark Rock 5 utilizes a CNC-machined copper base for optimal contact with the CPU, ensuring efficient heat transfer from the processor to the heatpipes.
- Wide Socket Compatibility: The Dark Rock 5 is compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, making it a versatile choice for various systems.
- Easy Installation: The Dark Rock 5 includes a mounting system that simplifies installation, making it user-friendly even for novice builders.
Performance
The be quiet! Dark Rock 5 impressed me with its cooling performance. I tested it with an Intel Core i9-12900K processor, which is known for its high heat output. Under full load, the Dark Rock 5 kept the CPU temperature well within acceptable limits, even when running demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Silent Wings 4 fan remained remarkably quiet even at higher RPMs, making it ideal for both gaming and quiet home office environments.
I was particularly impressed with the Dark Rock 5’s ability to keep the CPU temperatures low even at high fan speeds. This is a testament to the efficient design of the cooler, which effectively transfers heat away from the processor.
Pros & Cons
Here is a breakdown of the Dark Rock 5’s pros and cons:
Pros:
- Excellent cooling performance
- Very quiet operation
- High-quality construction
- Easy installation
- Wide socket compatibility
Cons:
- Relatively large size, may not fit in some smaller cases
- Slightly expensive compared to some other CPU coolers
Final Verdict
The be quiet! Dark Rock 5 is an exceptional CPU cooler that delivers on its promises of top-tier performance and whisper-silent operation. It’s a great option for gamers, enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a reliable and quiet cooling solution for their high-end system. While the Dark Rock 5 does come with a higher price tag than some other CPU coolers, its excellent cooling performance and quiet operation make it worth the investment. I highly recommend the Dark Rock 5 to anyone looking for a top-of-the-line CPU cooler.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Dark Rock 5 |
| TDP (W) | 210 |
| Color option | Black |
| Overall dimensions without mounting material (L x W x H), (mm) | 101 x 136 x 161 |
| Total weight (kg) | 1.03 |
| Socket compatibility Intel | 1700 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 |
| Socket compatibility AMD | AM5 / AM4 |
| Overall noise level (dB(A)) @ 50/75/100% (rpm) | 11.9 / 23.2 / 29.8 |
| Number of fans | 1 |
| Lighting connector | – |
| Dimensions (L x W x H), (mm) | 76 x 136 x 161 |
| Fin material | Aluminum |
| Surface treatment | Ceramic coating |
| Base material | Copper |
| CPU contact surface | CNC machined |
| Heatpipe number / Diameter (mm) | 6 / 6 |
| Decoupled fan mounting | – |
| Fan model | Silent Wings 4 120mm PWM |
| Fan dimensions (mm) | 120 x 120 x 25 |
| Speed @ 100% PWM (rpm) | 2100 |
| Airflow at 100% PWM / 12V (CFM / m3/h) | 55.0 / 93.5 |
| Air Pressure at 100% PWM / 12V (mm H2O) | 2.73 |
| Bearing technology | Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
| Motor technology | 6-pole fan motor |
| Rated Voltage (V) | 12 |
| Input current (A) | 0.10 |
| Safety current (A) | 0.20 |
| Input power (W) | 2.4 |
| Connector | 4-pin PWM |
| Lighting connector | – |
| Cable length (mm) | 220 |
| Lifespan (h / 25°C) | 300,000 |
| Y-Cable | – |
| Thermal grease (Type) | Included |
| Mounting set | Intel & AMD |
| Screwdriver | Yes |
| Y-Cable | – |
| User manual languages | CN, DE, EN, ES, FR, JP, PL, RU, TW |
| Approvals | CE, UKCA, UL, TÜV |
| RoHS | Yes |
| WEEE | Yes |
| Triman | Yes |