I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Kingdom Come Deliverance won’t be getting the remake treatment from Warhorse.
According to a developer, the studio wants to expand instead of returning to the game.
A remake of the 2018 RPG is not part of Warhorse’s future expansion.
The game has had such an impact that parent company Embracer called it a reminder for their developers to make great titles again. However, despite this success, Warhorse will not rehash its successful prequel.
Why it matters: Warhorse is not easily cashing in on a much-demanded remaster, and its plan to move forward showcases ambition from a promising studio.
Sir Tobi, Warhorse’s PR manager, revealed in a new interview with SxyBiscuit that Kingdom Come Deliverance 1 won’t be getting a remake or remaster. The developer acknowledged that fans demanded a newer version of the first game.
However, Warhorse is not interested in revisiting the RPG in any capacity, and the studio’s focus is on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. Unless someone actively approaches Warhorse about a Switch port or a similar venture, Sir Tobi’s stance will not change.
Right now we aren’t looking to go back to KCD1 in any form or shape.
The production manager also reasoned that the studio only has about 150 people currently working on multiple DLCs. Hence, it doesn’t have the manpower to work on a remake of Kingdom Come Deliverance.
Furthermore, Warhorse wants to expand and work on other titles, including several at once, so going back to the 2018 RPG is not really on the studio’s mind. Whatever the team does next will be exciting to see, considering the success of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is an early GOTY contender.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
An indie game R.E.P.O. beat various AAA titles to become the top 3 best-sellers on Steam.
This shows that while AAA games are declining, Indie games are doing really well.
Many industry insiders and developers have claimed gamers are more interested in Indie titles.
Many gamers believe that AAA gaming is on a huge decline. High-budget games lack creativity, and developers are scared to try anything unique because budgets are too high. This has given the upper hand to more creative indie games.
Indie games like Hi-Fi Rush, Palworld, and Split Fiction prove gamers want something unique and fresh. That can also be seen in the Steam best-sellers list, where R.E.P.O., a $10 indie game, beat many AAA games last week.
Why it matters: Fans are more inclined towards indie games nowadays because they still have that fun element, whereas AAA games are now stuck in a loop where everyone is playing it safe.
R.E.P.O., An Indie game, was on Steam’s best-sellers list last week
R.E.P.O. is an online co-op horror game that was released on February 26. In last week’s Steam best-sellers charts, it managed to place 3rd on Steam, only after Monster: Hunter Wilds and Split Fiction.
For context, many other AAA titles have also recently suffered, including Rise of Ronin, which couldn’t even make it into the top 40 sellers. Moreover, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 also saw a decline in its sales.
Indie Games have shown great success in recent years
This again highlights how indie games are setting a new bar. A recent study also revealed AAA gaming is on the decline. Moreover, an ex-Ubisoft developer also claimed that gamers are more interested in unique indie titles.
What are your thoughts on Indie games overtaking AAA titles regarding sales? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
A new video detailing trailer comparisons for Death Stranding 2 shows a major jump in graphics from the initial 2022 reveal.
The latest trailer’s color grading and small details look crisper and more natural, further enhancing the sequel’s cinematics.
There are also visible major differences from the 2022 reveal, such as characters with better light reflections and overall textures.
Death Stranding either clicks for you or doesn’t, as it’s quite a niche series. However, it has still made a huge name, and fans are excited about the upcoming sequel. New info confirms that Death Stranding 2 will be a huge upgrade over the first title.
A detailed video comparing all the trailers for Death Stranding 2 shows a massive jump in graphics over the years. In other words, the visuals have improved massively since the first 2022 reveal.
Why it matters: Death Stranding 2 trailer comparisons reveal a startling jump in overall visual enhancements since the popular reveal years ago. The game now looks like a significant upgrade over the original.
YouTuber Cycu1’s video showcases all three trailers—from 2022, 2024, and 2025—and compares their footage to unveil the notable changes in graphics. The color grading and smaller details look more refined in the 2025 pre-order trailer, for instance.
The overall character models and textures have been enhanced to look more organic and movie-like, such as in the scene of Sam Porter Bridges holding the baby in the 2024 and 2025 trailers around the 3:40 mark.
The fans’ reaction has also been positive overall in the video’s comments, with gamers appreciating the visual touch-ups since the first reveal. However, some argue these changes do not warrant such a big deal in the community.
For those not in the know, Death Stranding 2 is set to release on June 26, 2025, for PlayStation 5. The franchise no longer belongs to Sony, so we might see the game launch on other platforms soon after PS5.
Do you think the trailer comparison shows a major jump in visuals, or are these enhancements over the years insufficient? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
EA is adding microtransactions to the closed alpha playtests of the upcoming Skate.
Players have received a notification that the next update will add in-game currency.
Bought items will be turned back to in-game currency when the title launches.
Microtransactions in games have been notorious for ruining perfectly great experiences. While some companies do shy away from them, they are an integral part of most others. EA, for instance, integrates microtransactions with many of its titles.
The situation has turned so bad that EA has even included microtransactions with its upcoming Skate game, which is currently just in the closed alpha stage.
Why it matters: Microtransactions are acceptable in free-to-play games, however, adding them to a title that hasn’t even been released yet doesn’t seem like a very good idea.
EA is adding microtransactions to Skate closed alpha
Insider Gaming has revealed that playtesters of the Skate Closed Alpha have recently received a message that the game will soon receive an epic gameplay update and in addition, it will also add the option of buying virtual in-game currency.
To ensure we achieve these goals at Early Access we have enabled the option to purchase and use virtual currency (San Van Bucks) in our ongoing Closed Alpha playtest.
Many companies integrate massively priced microtransactions in their titles
The currency called San Van Bucks will let you buy various cosmetic items and more. However, putting microtransactions in a game that isn’t even out yet doesn’t make much sense, especially considering it is a closed playtesting.
Nonetheless, for the people who spend money on the closed alpha, the bought items will be converted back to San Van Bucks, when the game launches for the masses. The title is now soon to release in its early access.
What are your thoughts on EA adding microtransactions to the closed alpha stage of Skate? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Fable 2 is getting an unofficial PC port.
A fan is working on the project via XenonRecomp and looking for help with the game’s coding.
The project may still be far away since the porting process is complex and time-consuming.
The XenonRecomp tool has been a game-changer for PC gaming. Recompiling PowerPC assembly into native X86 architecture now allows any Xbox 360 exclusive title to be played on PC.
Thanks to XenonRecomp, an unofficial PC port for Fable 2 is now under development. While the game previously remained exclusive to the Xbox 360, PC players will be able to play the game for the first time.
Why it matters: XenonRecomp marks a significant breakthrough for PC gaming. Following the ports of Fable 2 and Sonic Unleashed, fans can expect more Xbox 360 exclusives to arrive on PC.
A fan who posted a YouTube video looking for help with the game’s coding is developing the PC port. The whole process might take a while since it involves converting code and, secondly, the graphic translation, which synchronises to run the game.
Fable 2 is the only entry from the mainline franchise that isn’t available on PC. The first entry arrived on PC after 10 years, and Microsoft delisted Fable 3 on PC after running out of codes to sell the game.
Nevertheless, this is a great passion project and will inspire other fans and developers to work their magic in bringing other Xbox 360 exclusives to PC.
Fable Reboot Reportedly Launching On PS5
Following Fable’s delay to 2026, there is a slight chance that the second entry’s unofficial PC port will be released sooner. Moreover, a Fable 2 PC port will keep fans’ hunger in check until Playground Games works its magic with the reboot.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
Capcom has filed a new trademark hinting at Dino Crisis Remake on the way.
The revival has been highly-requested and has been hinted at since the last year.
A remake would make a lot of sense based on the success of Resident Evil Remakes.
Capcom has greatly succeeded with its major IPs in the last few years. Franchises like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter have been massive for the company. However, one IP, that has failed to get similar love is Dino Crisis, which could change soon.
The studio has filed a new Dino Crisis trademark that suggests that it might be looking to revive the franchise in some form.
Why it matters: Just like other Capcom franchises Dino Crisis has a huge fan following, but it has been neglected by the studio for a very long time.
A new Capcom trademark hints at a Dino Crisis Remake
Capcom recently filed a new Dino Crisis trademark in Japan on March 4, suggesting something is planned for the series. The last mainline entry was Dino Crisis 3, released over 20 years ago in 2003.
The hints of a Dino Crisis revival have been lingering for quite some time now. Last year Capcom held a survey in which it revealed that Dino Crisis is the most requested IP that fans want back. In addition, it also hinted the same in an interview last year.
Dino Crisis franchise could be coming back after over 20 years
While we might be getting something from the series, we can’t say what it will be at this point. A Dino Crisis Remake would make the most sense considering the success Capcom has had with the Resident Evil Remakes.
Nonetheless, fans will be delighted to find out that their highly-loved franchise could be marking a return. Even with the trademark, take this with a grain of salt, considering trademarks do not always mean something too big.
What are your thoughts on Capcom’s new trademark? Do you think they’re working on a Dino Crisis Remake? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
[Press Release] G.SKILL has launched three new DDR5 memory kits optimized for AMD platforms. These kits feature AMD EXPO overclocking profiles for superior speed, latency, and capacity.
The DDR5-8000 CL36-48-48 24GBx2 kit delivers extreme speed with low latency, ensuring top-tier responsiveness and multitasking. It has been tested on the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 9 9900X processor.
The DDR5-6000 CL28-36-36 192GB (48GBx4) kit offers massive capacity with ultra-low CL28 latency. It has been validated on the MSI MPG X870E CARBON WIFI motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor.
Extreme DDR5-8000 CL36 24GBx2 Specs
The DDR5-6000 CL26-39-39 24GBx2 kit enhances responsiveness on AMD platforms. It has been tested on ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero and MSI MPG X870E CARBON WIFI motherboards with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X processors.
These DDR5 kits support AMD EXPO for effortless overclocking and will be available under G.SKILL’s Trident Z5 Royal Neo, Trident Z5 Neo RGB, and Ripjaws M5 Neo RGB series. Global availability starts in April 2025.
As the CPU Cooler and RAM Expert, I test the latest hardware to provide tips for smart purchases. I cover everything from busting myths about CPU coolers to looking into the newest RAM designs, examining various parts of PC hardware.
In the last review, I tested Pure Rock 3 from be quiet!. This time, I am taking a look at a more powerful Pure Rock Pro 3 cooler. This is a dual-tower design in 120mm size. Like the Pure Rock 3, this cooler has three configurations:
Pure Rock Pro 3 MSRP USD44.90|€44.90
Pure Rock 3 Black MSRP USD49.90|€49.90
Pure Rock 3 LX MSRP USD54.90|€54.90
The standard version that I am testing has a silver or industrial finish. The black version has a black ceramic coating and the LX version is a black heatsink with LX 120mm PWM ARGB fans.
This cooler is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. It is rated for 250W TDP.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Hayyan Serwer is our CPU Cooler expert who has been testing different AIOs and air coolers for years.
80+ CPU coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
900+ hours spent testing different coolers for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
Key Takeaways
The Pure Rock Pro 3 is a great air cooler built for mainstream use, capable of handling up to 253W of heat. It comes equipped with two 120mm fans that are designed to be both powerful and quiet.
You should go for the Pure Rock Pro 3 if you want a black air cooler that has stealthy looks and offers great value for its price.
You should not buy the Pure Rock Pro 3 if you have a flagship CPU like an i9 or a Ryzen 9 and plan to overclock as well.
I have got Pure Rock Pro 3 which comes with a Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fans. Its specifications include:
The packing box is similar to the one we saw for Pure Rock 3. The following are provided in the box:
1x Heatsink
2x Fans
1x Intel Backplate
2x Intel Mounting Brackets
4x Intel Screws
4x Intel Screw Fasteners
2x AMD Mounting Brackets
4x AMD Screws
4x thumb Nuts
4x Black Spacers
1x Set of Fan Metal Clips
User Manual
Safety Page
The mounting kit is also silver for this cooler. The black and LX version comes with a black mounting kit. Like Pure Rock 3, these coolers also have pre-applied thermal paste with no spare tube.
Design
Main Design (Image By Tech4Gamers)
This cooler has a dimension of 134x124x155mm. This cooler has a height of 155m which is only 1mm taller than the Pure Rock 3. This cooler has a weight of 1077g and it is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. It is rated for 250W TDP.
Heatsink
Top View
Front View
This cooler also has similar plastic shrouds or covers on the top like Pure Rock 3. Each cover has a be quiet! branding in the center. These covers are fixed. Like Pure Rock 3, you need to be mindful of the orientation of this cooler so that be quiet! text remains up right.
The fin stack has a similar design on the exterior as on the Pure Rock 3 except for the inner side layout. It has no wave or hive design. Each tower has 51 fins making a total count of 102 fins. The area near the edge has a wave pattern. Other than that, the fins are in a straight-line pattern. The rounded fins on the edges help prevent injury to the hand.
Inner View (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The inner sides of the towers have a stepped layout of the fins. The center portion has an extended layout with the deepest inset area.
Side Design (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The fins interlocking is done on the side of the heatsink. There are insets on which the fan clips are placed for installation.
This cooler has an offset design. The front tower has heat pipes closer to each other and provides better clearance.
Cross Bar
Heat pipes
The cross-bar is pre-installed and has two spring-loaded screws. This bar is removable as well. The base area below the cross-bar has aluminum heatsink design to provide maximum heat dissipation coverage.
This cooler comes with 6 heat pipes, each with a thickness of 6mm. They make contact with the fin stack at regular intervals. You can see a protective transparent cover over the base.
Pre-Applied Thermal Paste (Image By Tech4Gamers)
This cooler also comes with a white thermal paste pre-applied like Pure Rock 3. However, this is not an HDT design. Hence, a nickel plate copper base contacts the CPU, unlike the HDT on Pure Rock 3. The base measures approximately 39x36mm.
Pure Wings 3 120mm Fan
Fan Front View
Fan Rear View
The Pure Rock Pro 3 cooler comes with two Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fans. These fans have 9x blades per fan with striped layers. This design improves the airflow. The blade assembly is inside a circular frame to prevent air leakage. There is no anti-vibration pad over the mounting corners.
There is a 4–arms assembly on the backside. These are at a certain angle to provide a focused airflow. The slope-down design can be seen on the border. These fans are made in China and use rifle bearings with a life span of 80,000 hours.
Fan Side View
Fan Connectors
The arrow markers show the direction of airflow through the fan and the direction in which blades spin.
The power cable uses a 4-pin PWM connector. There is a 3-pin socket as well that allows daisy-chaining both fans to be regulated by one source.
Installation
I tested this cooler on an MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX motherboard with an Intel i7 13700k. Here’s how to install it:
Thread the Intel screws from the backplate through the proper holes.
Secure these screws with locker washers.
Position the backplate on the motherboard and fasten it using the LGA1700 spacers.
Place the Intel mounting brackets over the screws’ threaded ends.
Tighten the brackets with nuts.
Put the heatsink on the CPU and secure it with spring-loaded screws.
Attach the fan and connect its cable.
Installation is now complete.
Clearance
Cooler Clearance
1 of 4
The heatsink without a fan provides good clearance for the RAM as it does not overhang the DIMM slots.
The stock fan position supports 42mm or so. You would need to adjust the height of the front fan for any taller kit. This will increase the overall height of the cooler from 155mm.
There is no obstruction for the PCIe slot on MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX.
The cooler has an ample clearance for the VRM area of the motherboard.
The height of this cooler is 155mm. You would need a minimum 158mm or 160mm clearance in your PC Case. Leaving some margin is always wise.
Testing
I have used below mentioned configuration to test the performance of this cooler: –
Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open frame layout
Installing the Cooler (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Here is the settings table for testing:
All Cores
5.4GHz on P-Cores, 4.2GHz on E-Cores
VCore (V)
Auto
Power Limits
253W
Thermal Paste
Noctua NT-H1
Test Run Time
30 minutes CINEBENCH R23.2
Idle Time
10 minutes
Fan/Pump Speed
100% PWM Duty Cycle
Monitoring Software
HWInfo64
These are the test results:
Thermal Test Results (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Despite having a 250W rating, this cooler like many others struggles on my core i7 13700k but here is a catch. This cooler did not allow the CPU to thermal throttle which allows the CPU to run at its full potential despite operating at 96ᵒC.
This concept needs clarification. There is a difference between running hot and over-heating. While 96ᵒC is hot (Even I am not comfortable with it) it is not over-heating. As soon as the CPU is over-heated, it will throttle down to ensure safety. This would lower the performance and subsequently the desired results. If the cooler is able to avoid over-heating, it means it has avoided the throttling and allows the CPU to run at its potential.
This cooler was operating at a sound output of approx. 42 dB(A). It is still not loud even at full speed.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You want an all-black, stylish cooler. The be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black features a sleek, stealthy design with a dual tower setup, offering extra surface area for improved cooling.
✅You need a cost-effective cooler that delivers solid performance for gaming and heavy workloads.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You have a high-end CPU, such as a Core i9 or Ryzen 9, since this cooler may struggle under full load. (It still works well for gaming on these CPUs.)
Final Words
In this article, we have tested the Pure Rock Pro 3 cooler for evaluation. It is a dual-tower design which comes in a 120mm size. This cooler is available in three configurations:
Pure Rock Pro 3 [Silver] comes with Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM Fan
Pure Rock Pro 3 Black comes with the same fan as above
Pure Rock Pro 3 LX comes with an LX 120mm PWM fan
This cooler is rated for 250W TDP so its performance is expected to be better than the Pure Rock 3. It is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. This cooler has a dimension of 134x124x155mm (LxWxH). It is 1mm taller than a Pure Rock 3. The cooler has an industrial finish.
Each tower comprises 51 fins with 6x copper heat pipes. The heat pipes are nickel-plated to match the silver color of the fins. Each heat pipe is 6mm thick. The heatsink has an offset design to provide a better overall clearance for the motherboard and DIMM slots.
The interlocking mechanism is on the side of the heatsink. The base is nickel-plated copper. It is not HDT design, unlike the Pure Rock 3 series coolers.
Like Pure Rock 3 Black, this cooler comes with 2x Pure Wings 3 PWM fans. Each fan is rated for a maximum of 2000 RPM at 12VDC. The air flow rating of each fan is 59.6 CFM maximum. The maximum air pressure rating is 2.41 mmH₂O and the noise level rating is 31.2 dB(A) maximum. These fans use rifle bearings rated for an 80,000-hour life span.
Be quiet! has streamlined the mounting hardware on these coolers. You would need 19 items to install the mounting hardware on Intel LGA1700 and 10 items on the AMD AM5 socket. The cooler has a pre-applied thermal paste. There is no extra thermal paste tube.
This cooler has an MSRP of USD49.90/€49.90 and comes with a 3-year warranty. This cooler allows the Core i7 13700k to operate at its desired potential while preventing thermal throttling despite operating at 96ᵒC under an all-core heavy work load. This is a win in itself for this cooler coming in at a low price tag as the thermals would even be lower for gaming load.
As the CPU Cooler and RAM Expert, I test the latest hardware to provide tips for smart purchases. I cover everything from busting myths about CPU coolers to looking into the newest RAM designs, examining various parts of PC hardware.
Pure Rock 3 is a new cooler from be quiet!, and the company aims to cover two market segments with this cooler; system integrators and mainstream budget consumers. This cooler is available in three configurations:
Pure Rock 3 for system integrators only
Pure Rock 3 Black MSRP USD 29.90 | € 29.90
Pure Rock 3 LX MSRP USD 34.90 | € 34.90
This cooler is compatible with Intel LGA 115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. This is a single tower in a 120mm size design and comes with either a Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM or LX 120mm PWM fan subject to the variant. Be quiet! has provided AMD offset mounting brackets with these coolers.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Hayyan Serwer is our CPU Cooler expert who has been testing different AIOs and air coolers for years.
80+ CPU coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
900+ hours spent testing different coolers for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
The be quiet! Pure Rock 3 is a great budget-friendly cooler that handles up to 190W with ease. Its all-black design makes it perfect for stealth builds, and with HDT technology, it keeps your system cool and running smoothly.
You should buy the be quiet! Pure Rock 3 if want a value-oriented cooler with good looks that offers solid performance for the price.
You should skip the be quiet! Pure Rock 3 if you have a high-end/flagship CPU that requires lots of cooling power.
In this review, I will be testing the Pure Rock 3 Black. Its specifications are:
The Pure Rock 3 Black is a no-frill budget-oriented air cooler that can handle the thermal load of up to 190W and is best suited for Intel Core i5 and Ryzen 5/7 locked SKUs. Even on an unlocked i7, it prevents the CPU from throttling at 190W which is good.
Packing And Unboxing
Packaging (Image By Tech4Gamers)
be quiet! ships this cooler in its standard black theme packing box. The packing box does provide the specifications and features that would be helpful for on-the-go buyers.
The following are provided in the box:
1x Heatsink
1x Fan
1x Intel Backplate
2x Intel Mounting Brackets
4x Intel Screws
4x Intel Screw Fasteners
2x AMD Mounting Brackets
4x AMD Screws
4x thumb Nuts
4x Black Spacers
1x Set of Fan Metal Clips
User Manual
Safety Page
As you can see, there is no thermal paste tube in the box. The base comes with pre-applied thermal paste but that is all. In the longer run should you desire to service your PC, you would need to buy a thermal paste.
Design
Main Design (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The complete assembly of this cooler is black ceramic coated. The silver variant is for system integrators only. The heatsink has a dimension of 71x124x154mm with a fan. 154mm is the overall height of this cooler. The cooler is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. The rated TDP of this cooler is 190W.
What’s Improved In The Heatsink?
Top View
Side View
Looking at the top of the heatsink, you can see a plastic shroud or cover. It is fixed permanently. It has a stylish outlook with be quiet! branding in the center. The fixed design of the top cover has implications for heatsink orientation when installing this cooler.
Taking a look at the side, you can see the interlocking of the fins. The insets on the edges are designed to catch the fan clips for fan installation. This cooler has no offset design unlike the Pure Rock Pro 3.
Front/Back Design (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The front and back sides of the heatsink have the same design. It is a simple and plain layout in a straight-line pattern. It has no wave or hive design elements. My counting shows that the heatsink has 55 fins which are also black-coated.
However, be quiet! is paying attention. To ensure the safety of the handler, the fins on the edges are rounded. This would help prevent hand injury.
Cross Bar
Heat Pipes
The cross-bar is pre-installed on top of the base. It is secured using a Philips screw. I am just trying to figure out how to access this screw from the top as the top bracket is fixed or it seems.
The base of the heatsink has aluminum heatsink design to provide maximum heat dissipation coverage. The cross-bar has two spring-loaded screws pre-installed.
The heatsink has 4x copper heat pipes. These have a thickness of 6mm each. Each heat pipe is ceramic black color spray coated. They are placed in the fin stack such as they make contact in a group of two with the fin stack. You can see a protective transparent cover over the base.
Pre-Applied Thermal Paste (Image By Tech4Gamers)
As I mentioned above, the thermal paste comes pre-applied on the base. It is a white color paste and unfortunately, there is no spare tube in the accessory box.
This cooler uses an HDT design wherein the exposed portion of the heat pipes makes direct contact with the CPU for efficient or faster heat transfer. However, this is not a vacuum chamber. The base measures approximately 39x36mm.
Pure Wings 3 120mm Fan
Fan Front View
Fan Rear View
The Pure Rock 3 Black cooler comes with a Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fan. The Lux version comes with a LX 120mm PWM fan. The Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM fan has 9x blades with striped layers for increased airflow.
There is an inner circle border that encapsulates the fan blade assembly. This design provides no leak when installed over the radiator. There is no anti-vibration pad over the mounting corners. I hope this optimized version of the fan retains the closed-loop motor design.
Looking at the rear or backside of the fan, you can see a slope-down design. The arms have an angular layout to direct the airflow. The power ratings are printed in the center. The fan is made in China. These fans use rifle bearings with a life span of 80,000 hours.
Fan Side View
Fan PWM Connector
There are arrow markers showing the direction of airflow through the fan and the direction in which blades spin. The power cable uses a 4-pin PWM connector.
Installation
Test Build (Image By Tech4Gamers)
I have tested this cooler on an MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX motherboard using an Intel i7 13700k. The installation steps include:
Pass the Intel screws on the backplate through designated holes.
Secure the Intel screws using locker washers.
Place the backplate over the motherboard and secure it using LGA1700 spacers.
Place Intel mounting brackets over the threaded portions of the Intel screws.
Secure the brackets using nuts.
Place the heatsink over the CPU and install it via spring-loaded screws.
Install the fan and connect the cable.
Installation is complete.
Clearance
Cooler Clearance
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This cooler has no clearance issued for the DIMM slots as it does not overhang this area.
There is no obstruction for the PCIe slot on this motherboard.
The cooler provides good clearance for the motherboard areas including the VRM heatsinks.
The height of this cooler is 154mm. You would need a minimum 158mm clearance in your PC Case just in case.
Testing
I have used below mentioned configuration to test the performance of this cooler: –
Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open frame layout
Testing The Pure Rock 3 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Here is the settings table for testing:
All Cores
5.4GHz on P-Cores, 4.2GHz on E-Cores
VCore (V)
Auto
Power Limits
253W, 190W
Thermal Paste
Noctua NT-H1
Test Run Time
30 minutes CINEBENCH R23.2
Idle Time
10 minutes
Fan/Pump Speed
100% PWM Duty Cycle
Monitoring Software
HWInfo64
Here are the test results:
Thermal Test Result (Image By Tech4Gamers)
This cooler struggled to tame the roaring Core i7 13700k at 253W as the CPU reached 100ᵒC and throttled. However, with 190W, there was no thermal throttling and the cooler allowed the CPU to operate at its 190W potential.
This cooler makes a sound output of 41 dB(A) and is not loud even at full speed.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You want a black, budget cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock 3 Black has a stealth design including a black Pure Wings 3 fan.
✅You prefer a value cooler for your gaming needs: If you are on the Intel Core i5 segment or Ryzen 5/7 segment then this cooler gives you a good value.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You are on a high-end CPU: This cooler can face issues with high-end SKUs under full load. I would not suggest this cooler in this scenario.
Final Words
Pure Rock 3 is a new mainstream cooler from be quiet!. It caters for system integrators and budget consumers. Three variants of this cooler are:
Pure Rock 3 for SI
Pure Rock 3 Black comes with Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM Fan
Pure Rock 3 LX comes with an LX 120mm PWM Fan
The Pure Rock 3 Black is a single tower configuration in 120mm size. This cooler is compatible with Intel LGA115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. Its TDP rating is 190W. The dimension of this cooler is 71x124x154mm (LxWxH). The complete assembly is black including the heat pipes except the base.
This cooler uses an HDT design. The heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU in this design. For that, the copper portion of the heat pipes making contact is exposed or not coated. This provides faster heat transfer.
The fin stack comprises 55 black-coated fins placed in a simple straight-line manner with no hive or wave pattern. This cooler has 4x heat pipes each with 6mm thickness. The cooler has no offset design. The top has a stylish plastic cover that is not removable.
The Pure Wings 3 PWM fan is rated for 2000 RPM speed at 12VDC. Its air flow rating is 59.6 CFM maximum. Its air pressure is rated at 2.41 mmH₂O and its maximum noise level is 31.2 dB(A). This fan uses a rifle bearing with a life span of 80,000 hours.
Be quiet! has streamlined the mounting hardware. The cooler is tested on an Intel LGA1700 socket for which 19 items are required to set up the mounting hardware. The cooler has a pre-applied thermal paste. No spare thermal paste is included.
This cooler has an MSRP of USD29.90/€29.90 and comes with a 3-year warranty. This cooler could not handle the 253W load on 13700k which is apparent. However, at 190W the CPU did not thermal throttle. This cooler would be a good pick for the Core i5 and Ryzen 5/7 series locked CPUs.
At Tech4Gamers, I proudly wear the title of Comparisons Specialist. Focused on CPUs and GPUs, I bring forth a wealth of hands-on experience and a keen eye for detail to provide our audience with the latest insights and analyses.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
Rated: 8.8/10
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
Rated: 9.2/10
Pros And Cons
GPU
Pros
Cons
RX 9070 XT
✅ Better value for money
✅ FSR 4 is more refined than DLSS 3
✅ Higher gaming & productivity performance
✅ Better power efficiency
❌ Lower boost clock
❌ Doesn't support PCIe 5.0
Key Takeaways
We saw that the RTX 4080 Super performed around 7.7% better than the RX 9070 XT in 1440p gaming while displaying an 11.9% greater efficiency in productivity workloads.
In terms of power consumption, the RTX 4080 Super also demonstrated around 15% better power efficiency than the RX 9070 XT in raw gaming and ray tracing.
Currently, the RX 9070 XT sits at a price that is $1,581 cheaper than that of the RTX 4080 Super. Although the RX 9070 XT’s price is bound to increase, there’s a high chance it will remain lower than the RTX 4080 Super.
We recommend you go for the RX 9070 XT since it offers better value for money. For those who want higher performance and have no budget issues, stick to the RTX 4080 Super.
Process Nodes: The RDNA 4.0-based RX 9070 XT and the Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4080 Super both come with a process node of TMSC and of size 5nm.
Clock Speeds: Nvidia’s RTX 4080 Super boasts a base clock speed of 2295 MHz, higher than the RX 9070 XT’s 1660 MHz. The RX 9070 XT has a boost frequency of 2970 MHz, higher than its rivals’ 2550 MHz.
VRAM: While both of these graphic cards come with the same 16GB memory and a 256-bit bus width, the RTX 4080 Super uses a GDDR6X instead of RX 9070 XT’s GDDR6.
TDP: With a lower TDP of 304W, the RX 9070 XT appears to be more efficient. At the same time, the RTX 4080 Super has a slightly higher TDP rating of 320W.
Supported Technologies: One of the prominent technologies on the RTX 4080 Super is its DLSS 3, which lags behind the RX 9070 XT’s FSR 4, significantly enhancing image quality while boosting frames.
The RX 9070 XT has been praised quite much, so in this In this RX 9070 XT Vs RTX 4080 Super article, we’ll compare it another card from Nvidia that has previously garnered a lot of praise, to see if it can come close to the RTX 4080 Super’s power or if it at least offers better value for money.
Gaming Benchmarks – 1440p
To start off, we’ll be comparing the two cards in light of their benchmarked performance at 1440p. We’ve decided to throw in both single-player and multiplayer games, with settings set to high. Note: No ray tracing or AI upscaling is used so we can accurately judge their raw performance.
In the first game, the RTX 4080 Super demonstrated a 7.7% edge over the RX 9070 XT as both cards obtained an average of 95 FPS and 88 FPS, respectively.
As for the 1% lows, we saw only a 3.3% difference, where the RTX 4080 Super managed to hit exactly 60 FPS on average. The RX 9070 XT, which had a lead, averaged 62 FPS.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart Of Chornobyl @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Here, the margin rose to 17.3%, where the RTX 4080 Super had an edge as it achieved 69 FPS on average. On the other hand, the RX 9070 XT performed with 58 FPS, not having as smooth experience as its rival.
The frames on the RTX 4080 Super dropped to 57 FPS, making it 19.2% better performant than the RX 9070 XT, which had frames reaching 47 FPS on average.
God Of War Ragnarok
God Of War Ragnarok @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
We observed that the RX 9070 XT gave the RTX 4080 Super a tough competition but was still 1.2% behind in God Of War Ragnarok, as both GPUs achieved a fantastic average of 163 FPS and 165 FPS, respectively.
The 1% lows were even more neck-and-neck, where the RTX 4080 Super had only a 0.7% edge as it acquired an average of 151 FPS compared to the RX 9070 XT’s 150 FPS.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2
Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
On Space Marine 2, we saw 119 FPS obtained by the RTX 4080 Super as it regained its lead and performed 19.4% better than the RX 9070 XT, which averaged 98 FPS.
When looking at the 1% lows, the RTX 4080 Super had an 11% boost over the RX 9070 XT as both GPUs produced 96 FPS and 86 FPS, respectively.
A Plague Tale Requiem
A Plague Tale Requiem @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
In this game, we noticed that the difference dropped to 5.2%, where the RTX 4080 Super lead with 119 FPS. In contrast, the RX 9070 XT performed with 113 FPS on average.
The 1% lows were 9.6% higher on the RTX 4080 Super, averaging 98 FPS, compared to the RX 9070 XT, which obtained 89 FPS.
Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
With a 6.9% margin, the RTX 4080 Super outperformed the RX 9070 XT as both cards obtained 134 FPS and 125 FPS, on average.
During the lowest frame drop moments, the RTX 4080 Super was still 5.3% ahead with its 116 FPS, whereas the RX 9070 XT displayed 110 FPS.
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
On Star Wars Outlaws, 71 FPS were obtained by the RTX 4080 Super, which had a 16.8% lead over the RX 9070 XT, which managed to reach only 60 FPS, on average.
The 1% lows were 17.9% higher on the RTX 4080 Super as it averaged 61 FPS, steering clear from stuttering, whereas the RX 9070 XT performed with 51 FPS.
Starfield
Starfield @1440p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Lastly, the RTX 4080 Super produced an average of 89 FPS compared to the RX 9070 XT, which reached 79 FPS on average. This results in an 11.9% performance difference.
In terms of the 1% lows, we saw the RTX 4080 Super obtain an 11% edge as it averaged 77 FPS, while the RX 9070 XT performed with 69 FPS.
Productivity Benchmarks
The RTX 4080 Super was clearly ahead in gaming, but will the RX 9070 XT outperform it in terms of productivity? Let’s find out by comparing these cards under productivity workloads.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro Score (Image By Tech4Gamers)
On Adobe Premiere Pro, the scores were 8.9% higher on the RTX 4080 Super as it obtained 14,096 points compared to the RX 9070 XT’s 12,899 points.
VRMark Blue Room
VRMark Blue Room Score (Image By Tech4Gamers)
In the GPU-intensive Blue Room test, the RTX 4080 Super aced with a 13.1% edge because it achieved 8,519 points. Whereas the RX 9070 XT scored 7,474 points in this test.
Stable Diffusion (AI Image Generation)
Stable Diffusion AI Image Generation (Image By Tech4Gamers)
After generating AI images on Stable Diffusion, we saw a 22.4% lead in favor of the RTX 4080 Super, scoring 3,268 pointscompared to the RX 9070 XT’s 2,610 points.
Overall Gaming Performance
Graphic Cards
RX 9070 XT
RTX 4080 Super
Average FPS
📈98
📈107.6
1% Lows
📉83
📉89.5
Productivity (Rating)
✏️6.2/10
✏️7/10
Winner: RTX 4080 Super
Average Framerate
Per our calculations, the RTX 4080 Super was around 9.4% better than the RX 9070 XT in eight tested games. This doesn’t mean the RX 9070 XT wasn’t bad; it performed quite nicely for most games and even managed almost to tie the results in one game.
1% Lows
The RTX 4080 Super also scored higher in terms of the 1% lows. In particular, we saw it had a 7.5% boost over the RX 9070 XT. The RTX 4080 Super had frames dropping below 60 FPS in only one game, whereas the RX 9070 XT had it for two games, making both cards quite good in 1% lows.
Productivity
In terms of productivity, the RTX 4080 Super had a clear-cut victory because it demonstrated 11.9% better performance than the RX 9070 XT in all of the software. In video editing, the difference was slight, then the margin grew on Blue Room, and it was the highest under AI workload.
Power Consumption
Power Consumption
RX 9070 XT
RTX 4080 Super
Idle
10⚡
13⚡
Gaming
351⚡
302⚡
Ray Tracing
351⚡
290⚡
Maximum
346⚡
306⚡
Winner: RTX 4080 Super
It is reasonable to assume that a GPU with higher performance would have higher power consumption, but the RTX 4080 Super proved this assumption wrong. Despite having a higher performance and a higher TDP, the RTX 4080 Super showcased 15% better power efficiency than the RX 9070 XT.
Price And Availability
GPU
RX 9070 XT
RTX 4080 Super
Price Difference
Launch MSRP
💲599
💲999
50.1%
Current Price
💲749
💲2330
102.7%
On average, the RX 9070 XT is currently around 102.7% cheaper than the RTX 4080 Super. But it’s a temporary price for now since it has just been released, and prices always exceed well beyond the MSRP. Also, we’ve taken these averages from multiple variants, and some of them already cost more than others.
Final Verdict—What We Recommend?
RTX 4080 Super: This is an overkill of a GPU. Not only did it perform excellently at 1440p, it also showed great performance in the productivity sector, all while having better power efficiency. However, its high performance is reflected in its high price, and while it may seem justifiable, we still think it’s a bit on the higher side.
RX 9070 XT: This is one of the best releases from AMD and their best release of 2025. AMD has packed a lot of performance into a relatively lower price tag, which Nvidia mainly falls short of. We know its current price will increase, and we expect it will be either less than or equal to that of the RTX 4070 Ti Super.
Compared to the RTX 4080 Super, the RX 9070 XT is a better choice. We recommend it since there’s a high chance its price won’t reach the RTX 4080 Super’s price, so it offers comparatively excellent value. For the people who prefer even higher performance and have no budget constraints, go with the RTX 4080 Super.
FAQs
How do these cards perform in ray tracing?
The RTX 4080 Super has a significant improvement over the RX 9070 XT in terms of ray tracing, thanks to its higher dedicated RT cores, which are more efficient.
Which is the more future-proof card?
While the RTX 4080 Super lacks PCIe gen-5 and is based on the older architecture, it is still a more future-proof card because it performs better in ray tracing and AI workloads.
Which GPU has better VRAM and memory bandwidth?
Both GPUs share 16GB VRAM, but the RTX 4080 Super uses GDDR6X and has a higher 736.3 GB/s bandwidth than the RX 9070 XT’s 644.6 GB/s bandwidth.
Do both of these come with the same display outputs?
While both cards have HDMI 2.1, the RX 9070 XT comes with DisplayPort 2.1b, which the RTX 4080 Super lacks, as it supports the older DisplayPort 1.4a.
Which GPU is better for 4K gaming?
While both GPUs can easily push 4K using their respective AI upscaling, RTX 4080 Super can rely on its raw performance for most games, making it better for 4K gaming.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Rise of the Ronin is the latest casualty in the PlayStation exclusive to PC port pipeline.
The game only amassed around 8K concurrent players on Steam while receiving negative reviews.
Koei Tecmo’s port is rigged with performance issues and has a huge file size.
Sony has been releasing many of its major exclusive titles on PC for the past couple of years to open up a new revenue stream for the company. But, these releases have not been extremely successful, with the likes of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 failing to reach the heights of past ports.
Sony has still persisted with this strategy, however, with Rise of the Ronin being the latest game in the PlayStation family to get a PC port. But, from the looks of it, the RPG is the latest casualty of the PlayStation brand on Steam.
Why This Matters: PC ports failing after a staggered launch should tell the industry that a concurrent release is much better.
The RPG has had a disappointing start on Steam
Rise of the Ronin launched to dismal numbers on Steam with only 7,965 concurrent players on the platform, failing to make an impact. The RPG also got negative reviews from fans with a dismal 39.27% rating and severe technical issues plaguing the engrossing title.
Rise of the Ronin was published as a Sony exclusive on PS5 last year, and Koei Tecmo worked on the PC port in 2025, but fans have complained about the file size and rather middling visuals compared to the PlayStation version.
Hence, players have been let down by the PC port, labelling Rise of the Ronin another underwhelming effort just like other exclusives on Steam. PlayStation has had to face more controversy than success in its PC gaming venture recently, with its PSN account requirement leading to a lot of backlash.
Rise of the Ronin had a much better reception on PS5
Shuhei Yoshida mentioned how PC ports of older games are like printing money, but Sony’s recent ventures on the platform do not reflect this statement.
Many critics have also questioned this strategy, saying the company can’t figure out its purpose anymore, while others have commended PlayStation, terming PC ports better for business.
Do you think Sony should continue greenlighting more PC ports or stop altogether? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Analysts say that it won’t be possible to build a brand new PC for $500 that matches the PS5 or Xbox Series X this generation.
This is partly due to the limited VRAM available on mid-range and budget GPUs.
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer a lot of value for their $500 price.
The debate between console and PC gaming continues to rage on, but both markets have changed drastically over the years. Console exclusives are, more often than not, released on PC today, and more and more people are opting to buy a PC.
On the other hand, PC hardware, mainly graphics cards, has become increasingly expensive. Following this trend, analysts believe it will not be possible to make a PC that beats current-generation consoles at the same price.
Why it matters: In the past, rapid advancements in PC hardware meant that gamers on the platform could match or exceed consoles for the same price a few years down the line. Unfortunately, this is not the case anymore.
Digital Foundry was recently asked about the possibility of building a brand new PC for $500 with specifications equivalent to those of the PS5 or Xbox Series X. The question also brought up the current problem of cheaper graphics cards offering 8GB of memory.
The analysts were quick to respond that the memory on budget and mid-range GPUs is a major handicap for PC gaming compared to the larger memory pool on consoles. They also addressed the increasing costs of owning a console over time.
This is one advantage to owning a PC, but the major difference in entry price is undeniable for the time being.
It’s not going to be any point in the near future where you get a $499 PC rivalling the GPU you get on the console side.
-Digital Foundry
The PS5 Offers A Lot of Value For Its MSRP
It goes without saying, but there is a lot of nuance to the console vs. PC debate missing in this discussion. However, for what they are worth, consoles offer the best bang-for-the-buck from a purely hardware perspective at the $500 price point.
With future titles like Death Stranding 2 and GTA 6 launching exclusively on consoles, the $500 price becomes all the more enticing.
