Quick Summary
The be quiet! Dark Rock Slim is an air cooler with a Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM fan, compact construction and 180W TDP cooling performance. It is built for small spaces and the compact design means no memory slots are blocked.
The cooler also uses four high-performance heat pipes and a brushed aluminium top cover. The fan is described as virtually inaudible, with airflow-optimised blades, a 6-pole motor and a fluid-dynamic bearing.
Who It Is Best For
This cooler suits buyers looking for a compact CPU air cooler where space is limited and memory clearance matters. It is also relevant if you want a model with a stated 180W TDP rating and support for an additional 120mm retail fan.
Key Details
| Detail | Verified information and buyer relevance |
|---|---|
| Brand | be quiet! |
| Product type | Air cooler for compact builds. |
| Fan | Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM fan. |
| Cooling performance | 180W TDP rating for buyers comparing cooling capacity. |
| Heat pipes | Four high-performance heat pipes. |
| Construction | Compact construction that does not block memory slots. |
| Top cover | Brushed aluminium top cover. |
| Additional fan support | Can optionally take another 120mm retail fan for additional cooling. |
Why Buyers Choose It
- The compact construction leaves memory slots unblocked, which matters in tighter builds.
- The 180W TDP rating gives a clear reference point when matching the cooler to a CPU cooling requirement.
- The Silent Wings 3 fan uses airflow-optimised blades, a 6-pole motor and a fluid-dynamic bearing.
- The option to add another 120mm retail fan gives extra flexibility if you want more cooling headroom.
How It Works
The cooler moves heat away through four heat pipes and a fin stack, while the 120mm PWM fan pushes air across the assembly. Decoupled fan mounting with vibration-isolating elements is used on the heat sink.
The fan is described with airflow-optimised blades and a 6-pole motor, and the cooling fins are wave-contoured with small dots on their surfaces to increase air circulation.
What To Know Before You Buy
Check that the compact layout suits your case and that the memory-slot clearance matches your build. If you want extra cooling headroom, factor in the option to add another 120mm retail fan. The stated 180W TDP is the main performance reference in the listing, so compare that with your intended use before ordering.
Common Buyer Questions
Will it block RAM slots?
No, the compact construction is described as leaving memory slots unblocked.
Can another fan be added?
Yes, an additional 120mm retail fan can be added optionally for better cooling.
What fan size is included?
The included fan is a Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM fan.
What cooling rating is stated?
The cooler is rated at 180W TDP.
Final Buying View
If you need a compact air cooler with stated memory clearance and a 180W TDP rating, the Dark Rock Slim is straightforward to assess against your build. Check the space available in your case and compare the cooling rating with your intended setup before ordering.





