We decided to use an Intel Core i5-2500K combined with a Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3 motherboard to test the Be Quiet! Shadow Rock Pro CPU cooler. We overclocked the CPU to 4.7 GHz with a core voltage of 1.43V.
Test System
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
- Memory: 4 GB (2x 2GB) Kingston HyperX Genesis DDR3 1600MHz
- Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-3
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6950
- Graphics Card (noise tests): HIS Radeon HD 5550 Silence
- Chassis: Fractal Design Define XL
For our temperature tests we set of the both fans to maximum and loaded the system for 15 minutes using Prime 95. We then restarted the system and left it idling at the desktop for 15 minutes before recording temperatures. Room temperature was maintained at 22 degrees Celsius for the duration of the tests.
Despite falling quite far behind both the NH-D14 and Phanteks PH-TC140PE in our temperature tests, we are still very impressed with its performance. The cooler managed to maintain reasonable temperatures with this overclock and voltage applied during our tests. We expect that you will be able to achieve a substantial overclock with this cooler on most systems.
In our noise level tests we switched off all the case fans so we are just taking into account the noise generated by the fans themselves.
Even with the other fans switched off in our test system and the side panel removed, the Shadow Rock Pro was inaudible. It was no louder than the NH-D14 and was noticeably quieter than the PH-TC14PE. All three coolers emitted a noise level lower than the minimum sensitivity of 30 dBA on our noise level meter.
The price is really good, most of the higher end performance coolers are £50-£70 now. and this one probably has a better fan than any of them, technically anyway
I love their fans, best on the market by a long shot
I doubt many people buy an £80 cooler, most companies need to stop focusing on beating everyone else and getting something at this price point that allows for overclocking.
the difference between 70c and 75c really means very little at the end of the day to you, or the processor.
And just like most air HSF manufacturers they fail to take into account those of us who choose to use Dimms with tall heat spreaders the likes of Corsairs Dominator DHX for instance, so for me and many others like me this is a complete waste of time, Would it kill manufacturers to use a fricken measuring tape and add another 1.5cm to the heatpipes ” NO IT WOULDN’T ” it’s lazy ass designers