Thermal Paste
We use Arctic MX-2 for all heatsink cooler tests and in fact we use it for all builds, test or otherwise. We run the AIDA64 Extreme stability test as our run in programme for thermal paste which allows the paste to spread out and share the love across the mating surfaces. It is worth doing, we noted a drop in throttling after 30 minutes of burn in, and we don’t like throttling!
Results
First, the stock run; The CPU is reported at the turbo speed which is correct, and the memory at 2671Mhz, but overall, it’s stock.
Though AIDA64 Extreme and its stability test have temperature reporting, we used HWiNFO64 and the DTS measure for our final results and verification.
With AIDA64 Extreme stability test for 30 minutes the Dark Rock Pro 3 managed to peak at 62 Degrees °C. We had no throttling during this test and with an open chassis it didn’t present much of an issue.
It may be a little warm for mid tower or some smaller chassis, but larger and open chassis shouldn’t have an issue with this.
Next, sound levels, overclocking tests and conclusion.
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 CPU Cooler Review
Package - 8.5
Performance - 9
Price - 8.5
Consumer Experience - 6.5
8.1
Back in the day you needed to research your new rig so all the parts would fit together with no physical clash issues. These days there is so much out there you will pretty much get what you need and it will fit, well not anymore! Anything higher in height than low profile memory and you will have a clearance issue with the external fan, at least in out test X99 motherboard.