be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Review

The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite uses the same heatsink as the Dark Rock Pro 5, but with different fans, achieving better performance, which allows to meet eye-to-eye the tough competition in the mega air-cooling category. 

be quiet! recently introduced two new coolers, the Dark Rock Pro 5 and the Dark Rock Elite. I have already evaluated the former, and in this review, I will look at the high-end model with an official rating of 280W TDP. Like the Dark Rock Pro 5, the Elite has enormous dimensions, which help it keep noise output low. It uses a pair of 135mm Silent Wings fans. You can read the review of the Silent Wings 4 140mm here. The Elite model uses stronger Silent Wings fans, with a top speed of 2000 RPM, compared to the 1500 RPM of the 135mm Silent Wing fan that the Dark Rock Pro 5 uses.

Dark Rock Elite Dark Rock Pro 5
Front Fan 135mm Silent Wing Fans (2000 RPM) 120mm Silent Wings 4 Fan (2000 RPM)
Middle Fan 135mm Silent Wing Fans (2000 RPM) 135mm Silent Wing Fans (1500 RPM)

Since both coolers use the same heatsink exactly, the fans had to be different to provide an advantage to the Elite model. Moreover, the latter has a special bracket for the front fan, making its height adjustment easier. The top cover also features ARGB LEDs, while the Dark Rock 5 cooler’s top cover doesn’t have any lighting. These features justify the 15 euros difference in price between the Dark Rock Pro 5 and the Elite model.

The cooler has a large footprint, so you must ensure it will fit in your chassis before buying it.

 

Cybenetics Coolers Database

 

Technical Specifications:
  • Model Name: Dark Rock Elite
  • TDP: 280W
  • Overall dimensions without mounting material (L x W x H): 145×136×168mm
  • Heatsink dimensions (L x W x H): 120×136×168mm
  • Fian material: Aluminum
  • Base material: Copper
  • Heatpipe number / Diameter: 7 / 6mm
  • Color option: Black
  • Number of Fans: 2x
  • Fan Model: Silent Wings
  • Fan Dimensions: 135 x 135 x 25mm
  • Fan Speed (RPM): 1500 / 2000
  • Bearing Type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • Fan Power Consumption (W): 4.8
  • Cable length (mm): 120 / 80
  • Lifespan (h / 25°C): 300,000
  • Y-Cable: ✓
  • Socket Support: Intel 1700 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155
  • Socket Support: AMD AM5 / AM4
  • Weight: 1340g
  • MSRP: 115€ / $115
  • Warranty: 3 years
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2 thoughts on “be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Review

  1. Nevermind. I assume it is the Noctua NH-D15, as it is the one that cools the most Watts per dB(A). All this for a cooler released almost a decade ago!

  2. “I switched the AIO on my main work PC with an air-cooler, and the only thing I have to do from time to time is to clean the heatsink from dust”

    What’s your air cooler these days? What CPU is it cooling, in what PC case?

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