The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite wins in 2 out of 3 comparable specs. Its biggest advantage is MSRP (31% better).
EK-AIO 280 D-RGB wins in 1 spec (TDP Rating: 7% better).
Recommendation
Choose Dark Rock Elite if you want the best overall performance — especially msrp.
Choose EK-AIO 280 D-RGB if tdp rating matters more to you.
| Spec | be quiet!Dark Rock Elite | EKEK-AIO 280 D-RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Type | Air Tower | AIO |
| Height | 168 mm | 52 mm |
| Radiator Size | N/A | 280 mm |
| Performance | ||
| TDP Rating | 280W | 300W+7% |
| Fans | 2 | 2 |
| Fan Size | 135 mm | 140 mm |
| Acoustics | ||
| Noise Level | ||
| 25.8 dB(A)−19% |
| 32 dB(A) |
| Fan RPM | 200 - 1500 | 550 - 2200 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Sockets | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM5, AM4 | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM5, AM4 |
| Price | ||
| MSRP | $90−31% | $130 |
| Release Date | Mar 2024 | Jan 2022 |
