I've received a Dark Rock Elite Air Cooler as a gift, and I've heard mixed reviews about its performance, especially for AM5 CPUs. My main concern is whether it will effectively cool the 9950x3d during tasks like video editing and gaming. Has anyone had hands-on experience with this cooler on the 9950x3d? I appreciate any insights!
3 Answers
I'd actually recommend against the Dark Rock Pro/Elite for AM5 setups. They don't fit as well and can lead to high temps while gaming. I faced issues with bad temps on my 9800x3d. My CPU hits 80-85°C while under load, and I've repasted multiple times to fix it, but no luck. Just my experience, but definitely look for alternatives!
The Dark Rock Pro and Elite are among the top contenders for air cooling, especially when compared to the NH D15. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Honestly, it's likely fine for basic tasks. TechPowerUp mentions this cooler can handle over 200W, while the 9950X3D usually runs at about 170W. You should give it a shot—if it starts throttling, that’s just a sign to upgrade later!
Could there be a better air cooler out there? I’d rather avoid any AIO systems.