In this review we will discover the Dark Rock Elite heat sink from be quiet!, a completely new model for the company
A high-performance PC, in addition to having excellent hardware components, must also have an excellent cooling system. High temperatures, in fact, could compromise performance and cause damage to the machine itself if these exceed critical thresholds.
be quiet!, a renowned German manufacturer of PC components, knows this well and has always offered its users components suitable for this task. However, performance is not the only important factor for the company; another fundamental factor, in fact, is the silence of the entire system. Let’s start this review now and discover the Dark Rock Elite, the latest arrival from be quiet!
Data sheet
- Dimensions: 145 x 136 x 168 mm
- Weight: 1,33 kg
- TDP: 280 W
- Compatible sockets:
- Intel: 1700 / 1200 / 1150 / 1151 / 1155
- AMD: AM5/AM4
- Operating mode: Quiet / Performance
- Noise level:
- Quiet mode dB (50/75/100%): 11 / 19.5 / 25.8
- Performance Mode dB (50/75/100%): 18.4 / 28.3 / 35.4
- Fans: 2x Silent Wing 135 x 135 x 25 mm
- Full speed (rpm) Quiet – Performance: 1.500 – 2.000
- Duration: 300.000 ore
- Warranty: 3 years
- Lighting: 5V ARGB
- Prezzo: 114,90 €
Packaging e design | Review Dark Rock Elite di be quiet!
As is the case with the Dark Rock Pro 5, the Elite will also arrive inside the company’s typical packaging, wrapped in expanded polyethylene protections to protect it from accidental impacts. Inside the polyethylene there will be the appropriate housing where the screwdriver supplied to us by the company will find space. Obviously there will be no shortage of mounting sets for Intel and AMD processors, thermal paste to be applied at the time of installation and the relevant forms.
The dimensions of this heat sink certainly do not make it go unnoticed and, certainly, do not make it suitable for all cases. However, despite the massive size, the linear and simple design manages to make the heatsink very elegant. As with the Pro 5, the central fan is also fixed to the top panel on the Elite. This will make it easier to insert and fix it, also simplifying the installation of the main body.
The main news of this sink, however, mainly concern the top panel and the front fan. The first features an ARGB strip that contributes to the internal lighting of the case and provides an extra touch that never hurts. The second, however, presents some innovations relating to the fixing system. It will be possible to raise or lower the fan via the appropriate tracks, although the movement is not fluid and, indeed, it is a bit difficult to manage its movement. Through this system we will be able to install the heatsink even with relatively high RAM banks.
Behavior in everyday use and gaming | Dark Rock Elite review by be quiet!
Let’s now move on to what is certainly the most important paragraph of the review and which explains exactly how this heatsink performed both on the gaming side and in daily use. Before continuing and moving on to the various tests carried out, we feel it is necessary to make some clarifications regarding the conditions in which the tests were carried out.
The mode used during the tests was Performance. This allows us to have more accurate data both on the overall noise level and on the efficiency of the heat sink. We then decided to use the thermal paste provided by the company to actually see the dissipation quality. All tests were carried out in an environment with an ambient temperature of 24°C.
The CPU used in this test is an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, equipped with 12 cores and therefore much more difficult to cool than other processors. For this reason we decided to take both the average values and the various peaks recorded during the various sessions, dividing them into two very different groups. For each test we did more tests and recorded the average values (rounded to whole numbers), in order to have a more detailed complete picture. However, the variations recorded were quite limited, synonymous with exceptional stability in terms of performance.
Daily use test and Cinebench R23 | Dark Rock Elite review by be quiet!
The first tests that we will analyze concern the average temperatures and peaks during daily use (watching videos, writing articles and browsing online), those reached during the test with Cinebench R23 and those during the period of non-use (idle). For this last test we started the PC and waited 15 minutes to detect the temperatures, precisely to avoid there being background installations or other loads that could affect the measurements.
In this case, however, the temperature readings were the same as those of the Pro 5. Also in this case, therefore, the management of the Cinebench R23 process was optimal from a temperature point of view. The 40°C in idle however leaves something to be desired, although it is still an acceptable temperature, but at the limit.
In-game testing | Dark Rock Elite review by be quiet!
For the in-game tests we decided to use various types of video games, just to have a complete picture in every aspect. THE various titles were launched in FHD resolution at maximum quality and the sessions lasted about half an hour each. In this case the heatsink proved to be quite solid with regards to average temperatures, while we did not see the same management of the Pro 5 with regards to maximum peaks, as if the Elite took a few seconds longer before starting to cool the CPU.
Conclusions
We have reached the end of this one review regarding the Dark Rock Elite by be quiet! and the time has come to take stock. The heat sink, despite its massive size, appears elegant with its delicate lines. The ARGB strip on the upper frame gives a touch of color and customization.
Mounting the front fan via rails is definitely a good idea, however the sliding is not smooth. It will therefore be difficult to move the fan a few millimeters so that it is raised enough for the RAM memories and continues to throw the greatest amount of air into the radiator. Despite this, however, the installation is really simple, thanks to the same removable central fan mechanism also applied in the Pro 5.
Speaking of performance, however, the heatsink proved to be quite solid in managing temperatures, with average values that were completely good and comparable to those of other liquid heatsinks. As regards the maximum peaks, the situation does not seem to be managed in the same way, but they are still completely appreciable values, especially considering the CPU on which it was tested. Furthermore, even at full load, the fans remain very quiet, with barely perceptible noise.
It is therefore an excellent product that manages to give a touch of color compared to the other models of the company, especially if you manage to overlook some small details such as, for example, the system of trolleys that regulate the height of the front fan. For this review regarding the Dark Rock Elite by be quiet! that’s all now. We remind you that the heatsink is on sale at the recommended price of €114.90. To ensure you don’t miss future reviews relating to the hardware universe, continue to follow techgameworld.com!
High performance with a little light
Points in favor
- Good performance
- Silent
- Easy installation
- A little color with the ARGB strip
- Front fan fixing system…
Points against
- …but not optimal sliding
- Not suitable for all homes