Compare: Dark Rock Pro 4 vs AS500 Plus

Design and Aesthetics:

Dark Rock Pro 4

The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler has a cool and sleek design, with a matte black finish that makes it look awesome in any computer. It's built really well, which means it's good at keeping your computer cool and will last a long time. The top plate design may make it hard to see if the middle fan is working properly, but it's not a big issue for most people.

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 Plus features a sleek and minimalist design with a large aluminum heatsink, an eye-catching black finish, and a top cover with customizable RGB lighting. The AS500 Plus comes with two 140mm PWM fans that provide efficient heat dissipation and a striking appearance.

Install Notes:

Dark Rock Pro 4

Putting together the Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler can be tough, especially since it's a premium cooler. There are a few things that make it harder to install. First, it uses a metal bar to attach to the computer's motherboard, and it can be tricky to get it in the right spot. Second, the system for attaching the fan to the cooler isn't very easy to use because it doesn't have a helpful spot to lift the metal. You might need to use your nails or other tools to put the fan on, which makes it more complicated. Lastly, there's a metal plate at the top of the cooler that makes it look nice and helps with noise, but it also blocks your view of the middle fan and makes it harder to attach the cooler to the mount.

Because of its design, the Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler might be a better choice for people who have built computers before. If you're new to building computers, it could be pretty challenging. But there is a good thing about this cooler: it doesn't cause problems with fitting your computer's memory (RAM) in most setups, which is an issue with some other coolers.

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 Plus features a mounting system compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, and as of 2023, it employs DeepCool's more modern installation designs. These designs include additional components for an easier installation process. The backplates are secured by single hand-screwed nuts that also serve to hold the mount from the other side, simplifying the backplate placement during installation. Comprehensive instructions and high-quality components make the process user-friendly and straightforward. The remaining part of the installation resembles Noctua's typical installation, which is easy to execute but may pose challenges during uninstallation if the thermal paste adheres well to the CPU.

Cooling Performance:

Dark Rock Pro 4

When it comes to keeping your computer cool, the Dark Rock Pro 4 is amazing with above average cooling performance. It's also one of the quietest coolers out there, which is great if you want a peaceful computer. It can handle really powerful CPUs and keeps everything cool, even when you're playing games or doing other hard tasks. It has two towers and two special fans that help get rid of the heat really well.

AS500 Plus

The AS500 Plus has five heat pipes that effectively transfer heat away from the CPU and into the large fin array of the heatsink. The dual 140mm PWM fans deliver optimal airflow and cooling performance while maintaining low noise levels, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of processors, including high-end models with high TDPs.

Noise Performance:

Dark Rock Pro 4

Just like the name says, Be Quiet! makes coolers that are super quiet, and the Dark Rock Pro 4 is no different. It has special fans and ways to stop vibrations, so it keeps your computer cool without making a lot of noise. This is perfect if you want a quiet computer.

AS500 Plus

The Deepcool AS500 plus is a louder than average cooler. The two included 140mm fans are designed for optimal airflow and low noise levels. Although, this cooler can be louder than some other coolers of similar size, the relative cooling makes this cooler a contender for your setup.

Summary:

Dark Rock Pro 4

The Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler is perfect if you want a powerful, good-looking, and really quiet cooler for your computer. It's great at keeping your computer cool and is easy to put in, so it's a top choice for all kinds of people who build computers, whether for work or gaming. Just keep in mind that the installation can be a bit more challenging than other coolers, especially for beginners.

AS500 Plus

Deepcool AS500 Plus is a high-performance air cooler that provides excellent cooling capabilities, quiet operation, and a visually appealing design. Its customizable RGB lighting and compatibility with a wide range of processors make it a popular choice for PC enthusiasts seeking a reliable and efficient cooling solution for their systems.