This article covers be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 270W TDP CPUクーラー.

Overview

The be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 is a premium air CPU cooler rated for 270W TDP, designed for enthusiasts who demand top-tier cooling performance with minimal noise. Featuring six high-performance heat pipes and an asymmetrical heatsink design, it efficiently dissipates heat while avoiding interference with RAM and VRM coolers. Operating at a maximum of just 23.3 dB, it maintains whisper-quiet operation even under load. Compatible with Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115x and AMD AM5/AM4 sockets, it covers virtually all modern desktop platforms. As the successor to the well-regarded Dark Rock Pro 4, this cooler improves on its predecessor with a more refined asymmetrical design that enables full clearance for all four memory slots—a major advantage for users who want to populate all DIMMs without sacrificing cooling. Additionally, it includes a second fan mounting position on the exhaust side for those who want to boost airflow further. The Dark Rock Pro 5 is positioned as a high-end air cooler that competes directly with 240mm AIO liquid coolers, offering comparable thermal performance with zero risk of pump noise or leakage. With a 270W TDP rating, this cooler can handle the most demanding consumer CPUs like the Intel Core i9-14900K and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X at stock settings. For users who prioritize reliability and longevity over the flashiness of liquid cooling, the Dark Rock Pro 5 represents a mature, well-engineered solution.

Compatibility Guide

Supported sockets: Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155; AMD AM5, AM4. The LGA1851 support ensures future compatibility with Arrow Lake processors. Physical dimensions: 136mm width × 145mm depth × 168mm height. Your PC case must have a CPU cooler clearance of at least 170mm. Most mid-tower cases accommodate this, but small form-factor or compact cases will not. The asymmetrical design leaves ample space for tall DDR5 memory modules—up to four sticks with high heatsinks can be installed without interference. However, check motherboard VRM heatsink height and any protruding components near the socket area. Includes two fans: one 135mm PWM fan (front) and one 120mm PWM fan (center). Connect via 4-pin PWM header with included Y-splitter cable.

Product Info

The Dark Rock Pro 5 was released in late 2023, with a typical street price around ¥16,000 in Japan. It sits in the high-end air cooler segment, competing with products like the Noctua NH-D15 and Deepcool Assassin IV. It offers a 3-year manufacturer warranty (through official Japanese distributors). Its 270W TDP rating, 6 heat pipes, and dual-fan configuration deliver excellent thermal performance while maintaining a maximum noise level of only 23.3 dBA. The cooler weighs approximately 1.1 kg including fans, and operates on 12V DC with a PWM fan connector.

Best Use Cases

Silent PC builders: With a max noise output of 23.3 dB, this cooler is virtually inaudible in a quiet room. It's perfect for home theater PCs, recording studios, or any environment where fan noise must be kept to a minimum. The absence of pump noise further enhances the silent experience. High-end CPU users wanting air cooling: Ideal for enthusiasts building with Core i9 or Ryzen 9 processors who prefer air cooling over liquid for reliability and simplicity. The 270W TDP rating ensures adequate cooling for all mainstream high-end CPUs at stock frequencies. Enthusiasts with fully populated memory slots: The asymmetrical heatsink design means you can install four sticks of RAM without obstruction—a significant advantage over many large air coolers that force users to skip the first slot or use low-profile memory.

Things to Consider

The cooler's 168mm height is substantial; verify your case's CPU cooler clearance before purchase. Many mid-tower cases support 170mm+, but compact ATX or mATX cases may not. For mid-range CPUs like Core i5 or Ryzen 5, the Dark Rock Pro 5 is overkill in both cooling capacity and price. A smaller, more affordable cooler (e.g., be quiet! Dark Rock 5 or Shadow Rock 3) would be more practical. While comparable to 240mm AIOs in thermal performance, the Dark Rock Pro 5 relies heavily on good case airflow. If your case has poor intake/exhaust, the cooler's potential will be limited. AIOs can position radiators at intake for better cooling at the cost of noise. Installation requires removing the motherboard to attach the backplate. If you frequently swap components, this added step may be inconvenient. Also, ensure your motherboard has enough clearance around the socket area for the large heatsink and fan clips. Some very tall RGB RAM modules (exceeding 44mm height) may still contact the front fan even with the offset design. Check compatibility lists or consider low-profile memory if your RAM is extremely tall.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: be quiet!
  • Seller: Amazon.co.jp
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon.co.jp
  • ASIN: B0H2KPCB4Y
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.