be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5
Air tower
Noctua NH-U12A · Black
Air tower
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 lands at 91 and Noctua NH-U12A · Black at 90. That puts be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Noctua NH-U12A · Black if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testThermals
TieCompared on the thermals sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Install
TieCompared on the install sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Noise
TieCompared on the noise sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 | Noctua NH-U12A · Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Air tower | Air tower |
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
Noctua NH-U12A · Black
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
FAQ: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 vs Noctua NH-U12A · Black
Which is better, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 or Noctua NH-U12A · Black? +
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 scores 91 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 worth the price? +
At $109, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in thermals.
Is Noctua NH-U12A · Black worth the price? +
At $109, Noctua NH-U12A · Black delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Does be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 or Noctua NH-U12A · Black last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.