Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 BK036 CPU Cooler Review – Silent Performance for Gamers
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 BK036 CPU Cooler Review: A Silent Giant for Demanding Workloads
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 BK036 CPU cooler is a tower cooler designed for enthusiasts and gamers seeking high-performance cooling with minimal noise. This review delves into its features, performance, and real-world usage experiences to help you decide if it’s the right cooler for your needs.
Key Features
The Dark Rock Pro 5 boasts a compelling array of features:
- Seven high-performance 6mm copper heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation
- A large aluminum fin array for optimal surface area
- Two Silent Wings fans, a 135mm PWM fan and a 120mm PWM fan, for powerful airflow and quiet operation
- Speed switch for adjusting fan speed to balance performance and noise levels
- Liquid thermal grease for enhanced contact and heat transfer
- Compatibility with current Intel and AMD sockets, including LGA 1700 and AM5
Performance Evaluation
During testing, the Dark Rock Pro 5 demonstrated its capabilities in various scenarios. It effectively maintained CPU temperatures under heavy workloads, such as gaming and demanding software applications. The fans, particularly the 135mm Silent Wings, provided ample airflow, while remaining remarkably quiet. The noise levels were minimal, even under full load, and were well within acceptable levels for a high-performance cooler.
The included Speed Switch allowed for precise fan speed control, enabling a balance between cooling performance and acoustic levels. In demanding applications, I found the higher fan speed settings provided excellent thermal control, while the lower settings were ideal for quieter operation during less intensive tasks.
Pros & Cons
Here is a summary of the pros and cons of the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 BK036 CPU cooler:
- Pros
- Excellent cooling performance
- Quiet operation, even under full load
- Speed switch for fan control
- Solid construction and high-quality components
- Compatible with latest Intel and AMD platforms
- Cons
- Large footprint, may not fit in all cases
- The included thermal grease, while adequate, may not be top-tier
Final Verdict
The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 BK036 is a worthy contender for enthusiasts and gamers who prioritize silent performance. It strikes an impressive balance between cooling power and noise levels, making it suitable for a wide range of systems. The solid construction, versatile features, and compatibility with the latest platforms make it a compelling choice for those seeking an efficient and quiet CPU cooler. While its large size may be a constraint in some cases, its overall performance and features make it a worthy investment for discerning users.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (L x W x H), (mm) | 119.5 x 136 x 168 |
| Fin Material | Aluminum |
| Surface Treatment | Ceramic Coating |
| Base Material | Copper |
| CPU Contact Surface | CNC Machined |
| Heatpipe Number / Diameter (mm) | 7 / 6 |
| Decoupled Fan Mounting | – |
| Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Model | Silent Wings 4 / Silent Wings |
| Fan Dimensions (mm) | 120 x 120 x 25 / 135 x 135 x 25 |
| Speed @ 100% PWM (rpm) | Q: 1500; 1300 / P: 2000; 1700 |
| Airflow at 100% PWM / 12V (CFM / m3/h) | 52.5 / 89.1 |
| Air Pressure at 100% PWM / 12V (mm H2O) | 2.48 / 1.82 |
| Bearing Technology | Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
| Motor Technology | 6-pole Fan Motor |
| Rated Voltage (V) | 12 |
| Input Current (A) | 0.20 / 0.28 |
| Input Power (W) | 2.4 / 3.4 |
| Connector | 4-pin PWM |
| Lighting Connector | – |
| Cable Length (mm) | 80 / 120 |
| Lifespan (h / 25°C) | 300,000 |
| Y-Cable | ✓ |
| Accessories | |
| Thermal Grease (Type) | Included |
| Mounting Set | Intel & AMD |
| Screwdriver | ✓ |
| User Manual Languages | CN, DE, EN, ES, FR, JP, PL, RU, TW |
