Be Quiet Dark Rock TF Review: Setting the Silent Cooling Standard
Taking a break from the usual tower design, Be Quiet has crafted the Dark Rock TF to utilize a new C-type shape that leverages its form to provide optimal component clearance while delivering high-end cooling. It is quite brilliant really as the C-type form is narrower at the bottom while the heatpipes distribute heat to a wider fin array that sits parallel to the motherboard so even with a fan on top, total height will still be shorter than a standard 120mm CPU cooler and is 3U compatible even with both fans.
The Dark Rock TF is from Be Quiet’s top shelf line of CPU coolers and comes bundled with a pair of 135mm Silent Wings fans. Compatible even with older Intel system such as LGA1366 and LGA775, the Dark Rock TF can be installed on any Intel LGA115x motherboard as well as current LGA2011-3 systems. Mounting compatibility includes AMD socket 754, 939, 940, AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1 and FM2(+).
[sc:sponsor sponsor=”Be Quiet!” product_link=”http://www.bequiet.com/en/cpucooler/572″ product_name=”Dark Rock TF CPU Cooler” product_price_link=”http://amzn.to/1FRanvU” product_price=”$79.90″ ]Be Quiet’s products have a uniform black and white packaging cover across all their product line, with the left trim indicating the market segment the particular product is aimed towards. For the Dark Rock TF, this label has “high-end” printed on the side. Both bundled fans are packed separately in their own smaller boxes while the main heatsink body is sandwiched between two thick foam pads.
The accessories inside include a universal backplate, mounting brackets for AMD and Intel, a user’s guide, LGA2011 spacer nuts, M3x15 screws for mounting the backplate to the motherboard, M3x3 screws for securing the mounting brackets to the base of the Dark Rock TF, matching sleeved and sleeveless hexagonal nuts for securing the mounting brackets to the M3x15 screws, plastic C-profile spacers, thermal paste, two 135mm SilentWings fans, 4-pin PWM fan splitter, two pairs of fan mounting clips and a mini hex spanner.
Specifications:
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA2011 (-3) Square ILM Intel LGA775, LGA115x. LGA1366 AMD AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2(+) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) |
162.58 x 140 x 107.5 mm |
| Dimensions with both fans installed |
162.58 x 140 x 130.8 mm |
| Weight | 810g |
| Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), Dark nickel plated (surface treatment) |
| Fan Bundle |
2 x SilentWings PWM 135mm fans |
| Fan Dimensions |
135 x 135 x 22mm |
| Air flow @ 12V (cfm / m3/h) | 67.8/113.8 |
| Air pressure @ 12V (mm H2O) | 1.85 |
