Tuesday, June 11th 2024

be quiet! introduces Dark Rock 5 Single-Tower CPU Air Cooler

be quiet!, the German manufacturer for premium PC components, is proud to announce a new member to its family of high-end air coolers: Dark Rock 5. With its single-tower design, Dark Rock 5 offers outstanding cooling performance at low noise levels for builds that won't fit dual-tower designs like Dark Rock Pro 5 or Dark Rock Elite. Like its bigger brothers, Dark Rock 5 offers maximum compatibility with high-end consumer motherboards and RAM-modules. With its sleek black design, Dark Rock 5 knows how to impress: whether you use it for gaming, for workstations or as a reliable companion in your home office.
Better performance, easier installation

Dark Rock 5 improves on the high-performance benchmarks of its predecessor, Dark Rock 4, combining a proven and iconic design with cutting edge fan technology. Six high-performance heat pipes are connected to an asymmetrical heat sink with additional cut-outs for high RAM and VRM cooler compatibility, while a consumer-grade Silent Wings 4 120 mm PWM fan delivers perfect air pressure and virtually inaudible operation (29.8dB(A) at maximum fan speed). For those in search for the highest performance, a second fan can be installed optionally at the exhaust side. As with other Dark Rock models, special black coating with ceramic particles enable perfect heat transfer -- and an elegant look.
Mounting has been improved as well: a pre-fixed mounting bridge and screws make installation a breeze, while the magnetic mesh top cover gives easy access to screws and neatly hides the heat pipe ends. Thanks to a nickle-based heat plate, Dark Rock 5 is compatible with liquid metal thermal grease and is supported by a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.

Dark Rock 5 is available in retail from June 25 at a recommended retail price of $69.90/€69.90/£64.99.
Source: be quiet!
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16 Comments on be quiet! introduces Dark Rock 5 Single-Tower CPU Air Cooler

#1
JasBC
I despise the new top-plate they went with for this generation, truly hideous.
Posted on Reply
#2
SL2
Scythe claims that pipe angle causes lower performance. Sounds weird, but I bet they know better than I do lol
Posted on Reply
#3
bug
SL2Scythe claims that pipe angle causes lower performance. Sounds weird, but I bet they know better than I do lol
I doubt that very much. The pipes are angled anyway, I doubt the liquid inside cares whether the pipe is angled to the sides or towards the back.
Posted on Reply
#4
SL2
bugI doubt that very much. The pipes are angled anyway, I doubt the liquid inside cares whether the pipe is angled to the sides or towards the back.
Actually, Scythe talked about coolers with this kind of outward curvature, which is not the same. Makes a bit more sense, tho.
Posted on Reply
#5
jonup
SL2Scythe claims that pipe angle causes lower performance. Sounds weird, but I bet they know better than I do lol
Scythe claim related when then come out and then backwards not sideways. That would have been the case if the fin stack was rotated 90 degrees and the pipes were bending inwards over the base. Which actually is true and easily observable with most top-down coolers. The temperatures will change depending on the orientation.
SL2Actually, Scythe talked about coolers with this kind of outward curvature, which is not the same. Makes a bit more sense, tho.
This
Posted on Reply
#6
bug
SL2Actually, Scythe talked about coolers with this kind of outward curvature, which is not the same. Makes a bit more sense, tho.
Still doesn't look tight enough to choke the liquid flow. Have you found a review saying the cooler underperforms?
Posted on Reply
#7
phints
JasBCI despise the new top-plate they went with for this generation, truly hideous.
Yea I wouldn't go that far but it's not good. Hopefully it can be removed. I've been running a Dark Rock 4 for 3.5 years with my 5800X, it's been flawless, I would do it again if I go with a 9700X build or similar.
Posted on Reply
#8
Vayra86
Yeah, top plate... yuck. They were stylish and minimalist/brutal now they're yet another Asian-inspired Gundam brand.
Posted on Reply
#9
SL2
bugStill doesn't look tight enough to choke the liquid flow. Have you found a review saying the cooler underperforms?
The straightened version, called Magoroku, isn't out yet.
Posted on Reply
#10
konga
bugStill doesn't look tight enough to choke the liquid flow. Have you found a review saying the cooler underperforms?
Underperforms compared to what? Just because it still performs well doesn't mean it couldn't perform slightly better with straightened heat pipes. For a proper comparison, we'd need a true A/B test where the only difference is the heatpipes. Not sure we'll ever get that, if their cooler with straighter pipes will come with other changes too. Scythe has claimed to have done these tests internally though, and have liked what they've seen with straightened heat pipes enough to make a new SKU with them.
Posted on Reply
#11
bug
kongaUnderperforms compared to what? Just because it still performs well doesn't mean it couldn't perform slightly better with straightened heat pipes. For a proper comparison, we'd need a true A/B test where the only difference is the heatpipes. Not sure we'll ever get that, if their cooler with straighter pipes will come with other changes too. Scythe has claimed to have done these tests internally though, and have liked what they've seen with straightened heat pipes enough to make a new SKU with them.
Whenever I come across an assertion, I prefer some arguments to support it. I'm old fashioned like that.
Posted on Reply
#12
konga
bugWhenever I come across an assertion, I prefer some arguments to support it. I'm old fashioned like that.
Well, you won't find any supporting arguments in reviews, that's not possible for what is being claimed. And you seemed to be asking SL2 for evidence when it was Scythe's claim that he was simply relaying. Ask them, maybe they'll respond.
Posted on Reply
#13
bug
kongaWell, you won't find any supporting arguments in reviews, that's not possible for what is being claimed.
Sure it is. Test this next to a similar cooler (about same weight, dual fan), show this lags before by 5C or more and I'll admit it may have something to do with that bend. So far, we're just discussing unsubstantiated allegations.
Posted on Reply
#14
Chomiq
I don't mind the top plate but something even more minimalist would be optimal. But hey, I've got dark tinted side panel so what do I care?
Posted on Reply
#15
konga
bugSure it is. Test this next to a similar cooler (about same weight, dual fan), show this lags before by 5C or more and I'll admit it may have something to do with that bend. So far, we're just discussing unsubstantiated allegations.
This would be extremely unscientific and there would be virtually no way to prove that any drop in performance would or wouldn't be caused by the heat pipe design due to the other differences in cooler design.

"Allegations" is also a weird word to use here. Scythe themselves said they believe their previous heat pipe design was inefficient and that a straighter design will be more efficient. Scythe claims a 6% increase in thermal conductivity by using less bendy pipes. That's all this is about.
Posted on Reply
#16
bug
kongaThis would be extremely unscientific and there would be virtually no way to prove that any drop in performance would or wouldn't be caused by the heat pipe design due to the other differences in cooler design.
That would be something an end user would care about.
konga"Allegations" is also a weird word to use here. Scythe themselves said they believe their previous heat pipe design was inefficient and that a straighter design will be more efficient. Scythe claims a 6% increase in thermal conductivity by using less bendy pipes. That's all this is about.
My point exactly. It's logical the more curvy the pipe, the less efficient the flow. But all things considered, was that 6% the actual limiting factor for the whole heatsink?

Let's get back on topic, this is about Dark Rock, not about what Scythe thinks their next design should be.
Posted on Reply
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