be quiet! Shadow Rock 3
Expert rating8.1 / 10
- Cooler Type:
- Air
- Height:
- 163mm
- Fan Count:
- 1
- Socket Compatibility:
- Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/1151/1150/1155/2011(-3)
- Noise Level:
- 24.4dBA
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Manufacturer: be quiet! Last updated: September 16, 2026
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused) Review
be quiet!'s Shadow Rock line tops out at the Shadow Rock 3, the strongest cooler in the series: a single-tower air cooler built entirely around low noise, pairing one large decoupled 120mm Shadow Wings 2 fan with five heatpipes rated for 190W of TDP.
We'd recommend the Shadow Rock 3 to anyone who puts acoustics ahead of maximum thermal ceiling, since it stays under 25dBA even at full fan speed while still delivering solid mainstream cooling, and its asymmetrical design keeps memory slots clear.
Thermal Performance
Five nickel-plated copper heatpipes and a large single-fan tower handle 190W of TDP, enough for mainstream non-overclocked builds, trading some absolute cooling ceiling for a quieter single-large-fan approach.
Fan Design and Noise
The decoupled Shadow Wings 2 120mm PWM fan tops out at 1600 RPM and 49.2 CFM, reaching just 24.4dBA at 100% speed and as low as 11.5dBA at 50%.
Socket Compatibility and Installation
Current AM5/AM4 and Intel LGA1700/1200 are supported alongside a long list of older Intel sockets back to 2011(-3), installed with be quiet!'s top-mounted screwdriver kit.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the be quiet! Shadow Rock TF 2, part of the same series, the Shadow Rock 3 is the larger, higher-performing model of the two. Against the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo White, covered elsewhere on this site, the Shadow Rock 3 runs noticeably quieter at similar loads, though the Cooler Master model costs less.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | be quiet! |
|---|---|
| Series | be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 |
| Model Number | BK004 |
Design
| Cooler Type | Air, Single-Tower |
|---|---|
| Tower Type | Single-Tower |
| Height | 163 mm |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/1151/1150/1155/2011(-3), AMD AM5/AM4 |
Performance
| Fan Count | 1 |
|---|---|
| TDP Rating | 190 W |
| Noise Level | 24.4 dBA |
| RGB Lighting | No |
Thermal capability
| Heatpipe Count | 5 |
|---|
| Fan | 1x Shadow Wings 2 120mm PWM high-speed, up to 1600 RPM, 49.2 CFM |
|---|---|
| Weight | 710g |
| Color | Silver / Brushed Aluminum |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating8.1 / 10
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.
Best for
- Buyers who prioritize a silent-running PC over maximizing thermal ceiling
- Mainstream, non-overclocked builds where 190W of headroom is sufficient
- Builders who prefer a single large 120mm fan over dual smaller fans for acoustics
Not for
- Not for overclocked or high-TDP builds, where the ceiling runs out before flagship dual-tower options
- Not for buyers wanting RGB lighting, since be quiet! keeps this unlit
- Not for the tightest budgets, where the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3, covered elsewhere on this site, costs less
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused)?
The be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused) is a CPU cooler from be quiet!. Key specs: Cooler Type Air, Single-Tower, Tower Type Single-Tower, Height 163mm, Socket Compatibility Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/1151/1150/1155/2011(-3), AMD AM5/AM4, Fan Count 1.
Will the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused) work with my current setup?
The be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused) lists Socket Compatibility is Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/1151/1150/1155/2011(-3), AMD AM5/AM4. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused) best suited to?
It suits buyers who prioritize a silent-running pc over maximizing thermal ceiling, mainstream, non-overclocked builds where 190w of headroom is sufficient, builders who prefer a single large 120mm fan over dual smaller fans for acoustics.
What are the drawbacks of the be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 (Single-Tower Air/5 Heatpipes/120mm Shadow Wings 2 Fan/163mm Height/Silent-Focused)?
It is a poor fit for not for overclocked or high-tdp builds, where the ceiling runs out before flagship dual-tower options, not for buyers wanting rgb lighting, since be quiet! keeps this unlit, not for the tightest budgets, where the be quiet! pure rock pro 3, covered elsewhere on this site, costs less.
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