be quiet!'s Dark Rock Pro 2 is an exceptional air cooler, to say the least. Its noise level of only 42 dBA at full load puts it into a position only matched by Noctua's products. The cooling performance of this cooler, while fantastic, is even better when its low noise level is taken into account. The Dark Rock Pro 2 even rivals the Phanteks PH-TC14PE, the top-performing air cooler in my tests, and did it while being quieter. Part of the reason for its great noise/performance ratio is be quiet!'s use of fluid dynamic bearing fans. These are slightly quieter than traditional sleeve- or ball-bearing fans. The install hardware, while not ideal, is still easy to work with. The build quality is also topnotch. Add to that its nice aesthetics and you have a cooler that is quiet, performs great, and looks good.

But there are, as with any product, a few issues I need to mention. First up is the price. At $99.99, it's not a cheap cooler, which explains its extremely low performance-per-dollar rank. Weighing in at 1260 g, the cooler is also pretty damn heavy. As always, some sacrifices have to be made to achieve such great performance. In this case through size and weight. While offering great cooling performance, memory compatibility is less than stellar. Typical mainstream memory kits, like G.Skill's Ripjaw X and Z kits, will fit, but taller sticks, like Corsair's Dominator Platinums or Vengeance Pro kits, will not. Users will want to keep that in mind if they plan on purchasing be quiet!'s Dark Rock Pro 2.

I myself am impressed by the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2, and I only wish the logo on the top plate could be turned. Really, that's it. Well, that and maybe an option for a third fan for the overkill factor. Otherwise, this cooler really hits all the right notes in terms of looks, performance, and noise. The Dark Rock Pro 2 is the first be quiet! cooler I have had the chance to use, and all I have left to say is that they live up to their name.

The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2 is, in the end, an exceptional product that keeps your CPU cool and looks damn good doing it. Oh, it is quiet too!