02.09.2020
PC Games Hardware compares 12 CPU air coolers
[The Shadow Rock 3's] efforts pay off with an unbeatably good temperature at a reduced fan rotation speed of 50% [...].
The latest print edition of the PC Games Hardware (DE) includes a comparison review of 12 CPU air coolers, including the be quiet! models Shadow Rock 3 and Pure Rock 2. Both products receive excellent scores as well as two out of the three available awards. The Shadow Rock 3 is praised for its unbeatably low temperatures and quiet operation at low RPMs. Amping up the rotation speed, the cooling performance is okay for a 120mm cooler, albeit considering the price and occupied space only acceptable. The editor issues a warning for Intel 1151 CPUs considering the high contact pressure of slightly above 400 N. All in all, the Shadow Rock 3 receives the highest grade among the 12 candidates of 2.11 (on a scale from 1 to 6) and the Silent award.The Pure Rock 2 convinces with its high cooling performance at an attractive price point. It is said to cool even better than the Shadow Rock 3 at high revolutions, while also producing more noise. In total, the Pure Rock receives a grade of 2.17 and the Best Value award.The awarded grades range mostly from 2.11 to 2.88.