Review on 🌬️ Silent Cooling Power: Dark Rock Pro 4 CPU Cooler with 250W TDP, BK022 by Fernando Ramani

Bought for a new desktop build. I wanted 2 things from my CPU cooler, quiet operation and good cooling performance. I've been using AIO liquid coolers for years including the NZXT Kraken x62, Corsair H80i, Swifttech H320 X2 etc. Each time I've been generally disappointed with the noise they make. I wouldn't call them quiet because the pump noise annoys me the most. Most of these pumps tend to make a ticking noise that can be very annoying. Smaller AIOs need to use higher fan speeds to cool, which usually equates to noisy fans. Aside from the obvious performance of a new gaming rig, keeping the rig quiet and cool was my priority this time. I don't care about RGB, Windows, etc. My build is: * i7-9700k with this cooler * MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge mATX motherboard * 32GB (2x 16GB) Corsair LPX DDR4 3200 RAM. CMK32GX4M2B3200C16* 1TB Samsung 970 Evo m.2 NVMe SSD* MSI RTX 2080 Duke GPU* Seasonic 850W PSU SSR-850PX* Fractal Design Mini C (no side window)* 4x Be Quiet SILENTWINGS 3 120mm fans PWM Models BL066* 2x Be Quiet SILENTWINGS 3 140mm PWM fan model BL067. I have an i7-9700k at 5.0GHz with a max temperature of 80C when testing Prime95 for 4 hours. The idle temperature at room temperature around 72f is 26-29c. Games, it depends on the game and I haven't tested many of them long enough to be sure, but I'd say in the mid 40's to mid 60's range. So performance wise this cooler is amazing. Easily handles CPU cooling. Let's talk tone/noise. At full 100% RPM I heard a noise, something like a whistle/howl. I moved closer to listen more closely and realized the sound was coming from my nose/breath. So quiet is this build I could hear my breath/whistle coming out of my nose over the sound of the radiator! At one point the cooler was so quiet that I had to check if the fans were working. Of course they were. maybe:* Yes, this cooler is huge.* No, it wasn't that difficult to install. Easier than dealing with AIO. The hardest part was fixing the middle fan * RAM clearance was fine for me, but I got RAM that didn't have absurdly large and useless heat spreaders. In terms of installation, I was able to install it myself with relative ease. The included screwdriver is perfect. I used Grizzly Kryonaut thermal paste and carefully smeared a thin layer of it onto the CPU. The hardest part of the installation is attaching the center fan to the block. I found the pry tool useful to help thread 2 wire lathes through the notches of the ribs. Finally, this cooler delivers impressive performance, decent aesthetics and quiet operation. It's big, doesn't have RGB for 14 year olds and can have RAM issues on some. If you can make small concessions and get it working in your build, you won't regret it. I am overall impressed with the build quality of the Be Quiet products in general and will continue to consider them in the future, especially for refrigerated products. I highly recommend this cooler