Introduction

A big thank you to be quiet! for supplying the review sample.

Be quiet! is renowned as a top-tier manufacturer, consistently delivering a variety of silence-focused products for the DIY PC market. From cases and coolers to fans and power supplies, they remain a favorite among enthusiasts for this reason. Their reputation is built on a steadfast adherence to their company motto: "no compromise on silence and performance." While other manufacturers may quickly adopt the latest trends, be quiet! stays true to its roots, integrating new features only when they make engineering sense. This approach ensures consumers enjoy refined innovation, superior quality, and reliable performance.


In today's review, I will examine be quiet!'s latest and most advanced air cooler, the behemoth known as the Dark Rock Elite. This dual-tower dual-fan design is a heavyweight contender, weighing in at 1340 g and packed with features. First and foremost is the ability to choose between quiet and performance modes. The former limits the fans to a maximum RPM of 1500, while the latter allows a maximum RPM of 2000. Its nickel-plated base is also compatible with liquid metal thermal compounds for those who want to extract every extra bit of performance. Looking at the marketing, there is a lot here to take in, so let's delve into it and see what the Dark Rock Elite truly has to offer!

Packaging

As is normal for be quiet!, the box remains similar to past Dark Rock releases in that it is black with the front panel showing off the cooler for the world to see. Moving to the left side you will find the specification table which lists the supported sockets, cooler dimensions, fan RPM, etc. On the back is where be quiet! details the cooler's major features which include the Silent Wings fans, seven high-performance heat-pipes, and the option to run in quiet or performance mode.


The right side has a large QR code you can scan for information on the cooler, but nothing else while the top just lists has the Dark Rock Elite product branding and its rated TDP of 280 watts.

Contents

Considering this is a premium air cooler, the packaging should also reflect that and it does. The heatsink and fans are encased in foam providing a great level of protection for the product. Meaning I have nothing to complain about surprise damage.


The cooler provides solid socket support, accommodating all mainstream Intel and AMD sockets. However, it does not offer support for Intel HEDT or AMD Threadripper systems.

Common parts supplied for mounting include:

• 4x AMD backplate screws
• 4x AMD Spacers
• 4x Intel mounting bracket screws
• 4x Intel backplate O-rings
• 4x Intel backplate screws
• 2x Intel mounting plates
• 2x AMD mounting plates
• 2x 135 mm fans
• 1x Intel backplate
• 1x Heatsink
• 1x Tube of thermal paste
• 1x Instruction manual