Table of Contents
The Be Quiet Dark Rock 4 is a popular air cooler known for its impressive cooling performance and quiet operation. In this review, we compare its noise levels with several competing CPU coolers to determine how it stands in terms of sound output during typical use.
Overview of the Be Quiet Dark Rock 4
The Dark Rock 4 features a sleek black design with a large heatsink and two Silent Wings PWM fans. Its design focuses on minimizing noise while maintaining high cooling efficiency. The cooler supports a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, making it versatile for different builds.
Testing Methodology
Noise levels were measured using a calibrated sound level meter placed 30 cm from the CPU cooler. Tests were conducted at idle and under load using Prime95 stress testing. The ambient room temperature was maintained at 22°C to ensure consistency across measurements.
Noise Level Results
The following are the average noise levels in decibels (dB) recorded during testing:
- Be Quiet Dark Rock 4: 16 dB (idle), 24 dB (load)
- Noctua NH-U12S: 17 dB (idle), 25 dB (load)
- Corsair A500: 18 dB (idle), 26 dB (load)
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO: 20 dB (idle), 30 dB (load)
- NZXT Kraken Z63 (liquid cooler): 15 dB (idle), 22 dB (load)
Analysis of Noise Performance
The Dark Rock 4 exhibits some of the lowest noise levels among air coolers tested. Its idle noise of 16 dB is barely perceptible, and under load, it maintains a quiet 24 dB. Compared to its competitors, it outperforms the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and is on par with the Noctua NH-U12S, which is renowned for quiet operation.
Additional Considerations
While noise levels are a critical factor, cooling performance, compatibility, and price are also important. The Dark Rock 4 offers excellent cooling capacity suitable for overclocking and high-performance CPUs. Its build quality and aesthetic appeal make it a popular choice for silent PC builds.
Conclusion
The Be Quiet Dark Rock 4 stands out as one of the quietest air coolers on the market. Its low noise levels during both idle and load conditions make it ideal for users seeking a silent PC environment without sacrificing cooling performance. When compared to competitors, it offers a compelling balance of quiet operation and effective heat dissipation.