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

[GFreeman]

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.



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[JasBC]

I despise the new top-plate they went with for this generation, truly hideous.

 

[SL2]

Scythe claims that pipe angle causes lower performance. Sounds weird, but I bet they know better than I do lol

 

[bug]

Scythe claims that pipe angle causes lower performance. Sounds weird, but I bet they know better than I do lol
View attachment 350839

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.

 

[SL2]

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.

Actually, Scythe talked about coolers with this kind of outward curvature, which is not the same. Makes a bit more sense, tho.

 

[jonup]

Scythe claims that pipe angle causes lower performance. Sounds weird, but I bet they know better than I do lol
View attachment 350839

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.

Actually, Scythe talked about coolers with this kind of outward curvature, which is not the same. Makes a bit more sense, tho.
View attachment 350842

This

 

[bug]

Actually, Scythe talked about coolers with this kind of outward curvature, which is not the same. Makes a bit more sense, tho.
View attachment 350842

Still doesn't look tight enough to choke the liquid flow. Have you found a review saying the cooler underperforms?

 

[phints]

I 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.

 

[Vayra86]

Yeah, top plate... yuck. They were stylish and minimalist/brutal now they're yet another Asian-inspired Gundam brand.

 

[SL2]

Still 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.

 

[konga]

Still 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.

 

[bug]

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.

Whenever I come across an assertion, I prefer some arguments to support it. I'm old fashioned like that.

 

[konga]

Whenever 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.

 

[bug]

Well, 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.

 

[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?

 

[konga]

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.

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.

 

[bug]

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.

That would be something an end user would care about.

"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.