be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air CPU Cooler Review (BK037)
be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air CPU Cooler Review (BK037)
Looking for a powerful and quiet CPU cooler that can handle even the most demanding workloads? Look no further than the be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air. This tower cooler boasts an impressive combination of performance, acoustics, and features, making it a great choice for gamers, enthusiasts, and anyone who values a cool and silent PC environment.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air is the latest iteration of the popular Dark Rock series, known for its excellent cooling performance and quiet operation. This model is designed to offer a balance between powerful cooling and low noise levels, making it a great choice for a wide range of users.
Features
The Dark Rock Elite Air boasts a number of features that contribute to its impressive cooling performance and quiet operation:
- Two Silent Wings 135mm PWM Fans: These fans are known for their high airflow and low noise levels, ensuring efficient cooling without disturbing your workflow or gaming session.
- Speed Switch with 2 Modes: The included speed switch allows you to easily adjust the fan speed between two modes – “Silent” for quieter operation and “Performance” for maximum cooling.
- High-Performance Heat Pipes: Six heat pipes ensure efficient heat dissipation from the CPU to the cooling fins.
- Front Fan Rail System: The front fan rail system allows for easy installation and adjustment of the fans.
- Enhanced RAM Compatibility: The design of the cooler ensures maximum compatibility with tall RAM modules.
- Wide Socket Compatibility: The cooler supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, making it compatible with most modern motherboards.
Performance
During my testing, the Dark Rock Elite Air demonstrated impressive cooling performance, keeping my CPU temperatures well under control even under heavy workloads. The two Silent Wings fans did an excellent job of pushing air through the fins, while the heat pipes efficiently transferred heat away from the CPU. The included speed switch allows for fine-tuning the cooling performance based on your specific needs and preferences.
In terms of noise levels, the Dark Rock Elite Air remained remarkably quiet, even at full fan speed. The fans are well-balanced and produce a consistent hum that is barely noticeable. The speed switch allows you to adjust the fan speed for a truly silent experience, especially in the “Silent” mode. You can hear a subtle hum from the fans in “Performance” mode, but it’s still significantly quieter than many other tower coolers.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent cooling performance
- Quiet operation
- Two Silent Wings 135mm PWM fans
- Speed switch with 2 modes
- High-performance heat pipes
- Front fan rail system
- Enhanced RAM compatibility
- Wide socket compatibility
Cons:
- Large size might be an issue for some cases
- Could be heavier than some other coolers
Final Verdict
The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air is an excellent CPU cooler that delivers impressive performance and quiet operation. Its combination of features, including the two Silent Wings fans, speed switch, and high-performance heat pipes, makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and quiet cooler. While it’s a bit on the larger side, the Dark Rock Elite Air offers excellent cooling performance and quiet operation, making it a worthwhile investment for gamers, enthusiasts, and anyone who values a cool and silent PC environment.
Overall, I highly recommend the be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air to anyone looking for a top-of-the-line CPU cooler that provides both power and quiet.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Dark Rock Elite |
| TDP (W) | 280 |
| Color option | Black |
| Overall dimensions without mounting material (L x W x H), (mm) | 145 x 136 x 168 |
| Total weight (kg) | 1.34 |
| Socket compatibility Intel | 1700 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155 |
| Socket compatibility AMD | AM5 / AM4 |
| Overall noise level (dB(A)) @ 50/75/100% (rpm) | 11.0 / 19.5 / 25.8 |
| Number of fans | 2 |
| Lighting connector | ✓ |
