Testing
The following system was used to test the cooler:
– Processor: Intel i5 6600K @ 3.9 GHz and overclocked to 4.5 GHz
– Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z270 Professional Gaming i7
– RAM: Ballistix Tactical Tracer 16GB DDR4 @ 2666MHz
– GPU: GeForce GTX 1070 Founder’s Edition
– SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB
– HDD: WD 1 TB Blue
– PSU: Seasonic Snow Silent 750W Platinum
– Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe White
– Thermal compound: Arctic Cooling MX-4
Software used for testing the cooler:
– AIDA64 Extreme Version: 5.98.4800 (9/19/2018)
– Intel Burn Test v2.54
– Prime95 29.1
The cooler was tested with the CPU at the default turbo frequency of 3.9 GHz and overclocked to 4.5 GHz with a core voltage of 1.296 V.
Also, the included fans have been used at their maximum speed.
The room temperature was approximately 26°C (78°F), with 2°C margin of error.
The idle test consists of the CPU sitting idle at the desktop for 30 minutes, the temperature was measured at the end of the test.
The settings of the software used are the following:
Intel Burn Test v2.54 – Stress level: Maximum
Prime95 29.1- small FFT
AIDA64 Extreme Version – Temperature monitoring.
Each test was conducted for 40 minutes.
Idle
Full Load
The noise level was measured at three different distances from the fans (10cm, 20cm, 30cm.) the noise was measured with a margin of error of ± 2 db.
Like the previous Dark Rock Pro model, the cooler overhangs all four RAM slots of the motherboard. The usage of a front 120mm fan offers better memory compatibility, while still having the benefit of increased airflow thanks to the second 135mm fan installed. The space between the DIMM slot and the front fan is enough to fit a medium sized RAM Stick.
The Dark Rock Pro 4 has good PCIe slot compatibility, the space between the graphics card and the heatsink is approximately 27mm. This space is enough for easy access to the first PCIe x1 slot or the SATA M.2 slot that is placed under the CPU socket.
Final thoughts
The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 features an improved mounting system and is available on average at 100 USD or 80 EUR, as seen on the main online retailers.
The performance of the Dark Rock Pro 4 is very good, being on par with the likes of Noctua NH-D15 and the Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme. With an overclock of 4.5GHz, the CPU reached a temperature of 70°C with an ambient temperature of 26°C.
In terms of the sound, while the cooler uses two fans with different dimensions and speeds, the sound peak was 39 decibels, recorded at a distance of 10cm from the system. This value was reached with the two fans at their maximum speed.
The mounting system has been improved over the previous Dark Rock Pro cooler. The installation process is easy and includes only 3 main components apart from spacers, screws and bolts. The installation manual has also received numerous improvements, Be Quiet! includes six manuals each in a dedicated language.
In conclusion, while the great cooling performance is the important feature of this cooler, the Dark Rock Pro 4 also offers a stylish and elegant design. The black ceramic coating applied on the heatpipes, fins and top plate helps blend all the components into a single sleek CPU cooler. The overall appearance of the heatsink paired with the great cooling performance and low noise operation make this cooler a great purchase.
