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be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 vs Noctua NH-D12L: Comparison
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 and Noctua NH-D12L separate most on height: be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 at 163 mm, Noctua NH-D12L at 145 mm, 12% in favour of Noctua NH-D12L. They match on fan count and rgb lighting.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | be quiet! | Noctua |
| Cooler Type | Air, Single-Tower | Air Tower |
| Series | be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 | Noctua NH-D12L |
| Tower Type | Single-Tower | Dual-Tower (Asymmetric) |
| Model Number | BK004 | NH-D12L |
| Height | 163 mm-12% | 145 mm |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/1151/1150/1155/2011(-3), AMD AM5/AM4 | AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1954/1851/1700/1200/115X |
| Fan Count | 1 | 1 |
| Noise Level | 24.4+1.8 dBA | 22.6 dBA |
| RGB Lighting | No | No |
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 | Noctua NH-D12L |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The strongest cooler in be quiet!'s Shadow Rock series, and a genuinely quiet single-tower option for buyers who put acoustics ahead of maximum thermal headroom.
Noctua NH-D12L
8.3 / 10 Expert Rating
An excellent no-compromise pick when tall RAM rules out a standard dual-fan tower.