The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite wins in 2 out of 3 comparable specs. Its biggest advantage is TDP Rating (40% better).
NH-U12A wins in 1 spec (Noise Level: 12% better).
Recommendation
Choose Dark Rock Elite if you want the best overall performance — especially tdp rating.
Choose NH-U12A if noise level matters more to you.
| Spec | be quiet!Dark Rock Elite | NoctuaNH-U12A |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Type | Air Tower | Air Tower |
| Height | 168 mm | 158 mm |
| Performance | ||
| TDP Rating | 280W+40% | 200W |
| Fans | 2 | 2 |
| Fan Size | 135 mm | 120 mm |
| Acoustics | ||
| Noise Level | 25.8 dB(A) | 22.6 dB(A)−12% |
| Fan RPM | 200 - 1500 | 450 - 2000 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Sockets | LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, AM5, AM4 | AM2+, AM3+, FM2+, LGA2011-3, LGA2011, LGA2066, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, AM5, AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, FM2 |
| Price | ||
| MSRP | $90−10% | $100 |
| Release Date | Mar 2024 | Jan 2019 |
