be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 CPU Cooler Review

Temperatures

At stock speeds and voltages, the Dark Rock Pro 5 performed about as expected, and matched the performance of the similarly equipped Cooler Master MA824. I like that Q and P mode actually did show some difference in performance too.

With our fixed clocks and optimised voltages, performance was significantly improved, with idle temperatures that beat both the Noctua D15 and U12A, and load performance that matched the best Noctua has to offer. However, the DeepCool Assassin IV and Cooler Master MA824 are still delivering cooler performance here.

Acoustics

However, when it comes to acoustics, wow, be quiet! is really living up to its name. It’s quieter than any air cooler we’ve ever tested, whooping Noctua, Cooler Master and DeepCool by a significant margin in quiet mode, and only 0.2 dBa “louder” than the D15S in performance mode, despite having twice the fans of the Noctua.

Once we optimised the clocks and voltages, well, the numbers speak for themselves, the quietest cooler we’ve ever tested, and even in performance mode, it’s still the quietest air cooler.

CineBench R23

Performance clearly isn’t an issue either with both modes delivering some of the better Cinebench scores for any air cooler.

The only air cooler that scored higher was the MA824, but keep in mind, it also ran louder, so overall, be quiet! are more than leading the pack here.