Installation

To install the be quiet! Dark Rock TF 2 on Socket AM4, you will need to remove the plastic retention brackets by unscrewing the four retention bracket screws. Next, keep the AMD backplate on the board and position the plastic spacers over the mounting holes. Once done, place the screw through the mounting arm, slide it through the plastic spacer, and secure it to the backplate. This part is a bit fiddly, but things get much easier once you get the brackets installed. So with that out of the way, you can now apply some thermal paste.


For me, I find it easier to install the middle fan now since the blades can be moved for access to the retention screws, so I would opt to just install it now, with the wire where I want it ahead of time. With that done, it is time to mount the heatsink to the mounting brackets and then alternate between the two crossbar screws, and once secure, mount the second fan.


Finally, plug the fan wires into the PWM splitter cable and connect it to the CPU fan header. That is it, you are all done; no fancy ARGB lighting or USB headers to worry about here.

Unlike the Shadow Rock Slim 2, which used a separate crossbar and screws, the captive crossbar and screws on the Dark Rock TF 2 are a far better solution. However, the installation process still needs improvement. Depending on your situation, holding the AMD motherboard backplate in place while also holding together the mounting brackets with screws and spacers is not ideal. The use of friction-fit spacers on the screws would make the process a great deal easier. Another option would be threaded standoffs.

As for Intel, the process is exceptionally easy. Put the backplate screws into place on the backplate and use the rubber o-rings to keep them in place. With that done, screw in the threaded pillars, at which point you can secure the mounting arms. It's a much more forgiving install on Intel's mainstream sockets.