BEST Cheap 120mm ARGB Tower CPU Cooler DarkFlash Dark AIR

#DarkFlash #DarkAir #DarkairRGB #CPUCooler #PCHardware #PCCooling
One of the BEST Cheap 120mm ARGB Tower CPU coolers DarkFlash Dark AIR, But the install guide is totally useless!
www.banggood.c...
The DarkFlash Dark Air CPU cooler is a great design and great price and has all the features we expect in a modern Processor cooler. And thanks to Ugly Bob for sending this one for review!
It has a 120mm ARGB low noise fan that spins between 600 and 1600 rpm and is rated at 29db (although under full load is a lot closer to 50db)
It has a modern stealth look with a satin matt black finish on the heatpipes and fins, with a highly polished cold plate. There is an option to connect the ARGB to the almost universal 3 pin 5 volt addressable RGB header featured on most motherboards and ARGB hubs.
the real issue here is the install guide that is confusing, even for a seasoned CPU cooler installer. This guide had me questioning my own abilities and sanity!
After working out the best install method it performed exceptionally well and easily competes with more expensive models like the CoolerMaster 212 EVO and Arctic Freezer 34 etc.
For the very low pricing from the likes of Ali express and Chinese online sellers of around £20 inc postage this is one to look out for, but make sure you mount it right!
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[@mikesunboxing]

Cheap Windows 10/ Office/ Steam & Gaming Keys available from affiliate links: www.premiumcdkeys.com/mikesunboxing Discount code: MIKESUNBOXING 7.5% Off

[@sktay3197]

I had that air cooler today without watching your video and I was using stock cooler on Ryzen 5 3600 before the temp was maximum at 85 Celsius while playing game. After than I changed to darkair plus, it really helps me a lot from 85 to 68 Celsius. Really great cooler!

[@uglybob7505]

Certainly does look the business RGB-wise. Delivered (in 9 days) from AliExpress was just over £25 which I think is great at that pricepoint especially for ARGB. Even without being lit up I think it looks really good. Shame it was a pain to install but Im just pleased the coldplate was flat, if anybody gets one of these then they can reference this video for a better idea rather than rely on the "instructions". Having thermal paste included was a nice touch too. Those temps sound nice too, thanks for taking the time to review this Mike and Kath :-)

[@mikesunboxing]

this is one of the better budget coolers recently and easily trades blows with the Vetroo V5 when installed correctly 😎 The search for the perfect CPU cooler continues....

[@PaulBakewell]

Great video, thanks Mike. My CPU cooler went faulty last night and I was upset when it led to my AMD CPU failing but... then again everything happens for a Ryzen.

[@uglybob7505]

I have an uncanny ability to predict what's inside a wrapped present. You might say it's a gift .

[@mikesunboxing]

Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked if he wanted to upgrade to Windows 10. He replied, “I still love Vista, baby”.

[@uglybob7505]

@@mikesunboxing Oh dear god.......that was terrible. I tip my hat to you sir lol.

[@mikesunboxing]

@@uglybob7505 Thanks ugs!

[@makiwa]

@ 12:20min. (I've paused it here so I haven't seen how it works yet). I think the 2 Arms that get screwed into the Backplate should be fitted like on the Vetroo V5.

[@mikesunboxing]

yeah i need to check the vetroo to see but i hear you

[@paulboardman01]

if you want a bad design cooler look at the game max gamma 600 (although i did have another version) the screw mounts are on the side and the force needed to install on intel was, well in end i didnt fit it, thats not forgetting the amount of argb and pwm cables

[@mikesunboxing]

thanks paul i should check that one out

[@z8318]

The sun is so shiny today

[@mikesunboxing]

raining here 😣

[@ronz23]

Hahahahaahahaahaha

[@mikesunboxing]

@@ronz23 Sunny today, though :-)

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

So glad you covered the bracket installation because my instructions try to say put the brackets under but, the cooler as you mentioned isn’t threaded so if you do it that way the am4 bracket doesn’t even screw into the cooler…. Instructions just need a couple small fixes because the backplate they include also isn’t in the instructions for the am4 part, it specifically says those parts are only for intel 😂 Edit: made a correction because of my horrible spelling.

[@mikesunboxing]

Glad it helped :-)

[@CMH5YT]

I've had the R5 2600 for 3 years and has been fine with the stock cooler. I'm thinking of upgrading to R7 3700X. Would it be fine with the stock cooler as well or would you suggest a cooler like this?

[@mikesunboxing]

this is a good upgrade, but often the stock cooler will get the job done. If you are in a country with high ambient temps an aftermarket cooler will help to keep things cooler

[@outlawfett3530]

Thank you dude!

[@mikesunboxing]

No problem! And thanks for watching :-)

[@Hazard2005]

Thanks.

[@mikesunboxing]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@constructiontime4077]

i had encountered same issue with the bracket, your video had helped me thanks

[@mikesunboxing]

Glad it helped

[@jamesmiscellaneous]

The clips are better than Arctic's. Wish they blacked them out like Arctic does though. Also Arctic has figured out how to get it on the socket in a simple manner. It's not rocket science, some of these companies make designs that should be simple, a complete pain. Good review!

[@mikesunboxing]

i really want a chinese manufacturer to ask me to design the perfect CPU cooler, i think to would benefit mankind immensely

[@jamesmiscellaneous]

@@mikesunboxing we'd all love our own design for alot of things. That's why we mod. I'm sure your tower cooler would have clips that make sense and a smooth installation. And oodles of rgb to entice the Olettas of the world. 😄

[@mikesunboxing]

I would like to see the method that cooler master used on the original 212 with the slot on method, this was also used in the Corsair a500 and works really well hopefully it will make a return

[@royelleray3834]

With am4 being so popular you think they would make more effort to get the instructions right,looks good though for the money.

[@mikesunboxing]

yes i think i need to do a full install guide on this one to save the headaches going forward

[@jamesmiscellaneous]

Agree.

[@royelleray3834]

@@mikesunboxing yes that would be cool👍

[@alin98988]

Hey can anyone please guide me with this cooler on am4 please and i cant seem to find am4 installation follow up video

[@mikesunboxing]

sorry never got around to doing it

[@alin98988]

@@mikesunboxing can you please guide me and tell me which backplate should I use? It would be alot of help

[@mikesunboxing]

@@alin98988 This is maybe easier to fix or at least advise if we can ask more questions and get direct answers, so feel free to join our Discord chat and we can go over it in more detail discord.gg/XtBTGQ6BDu Agree to the rules by clicking the emoji and you will get access to the rest of the Discord channels

[@patricklebel1141]

4am here, just woke up for a leak after a dream about a chopper pulling a flying trailer hitting the house in front of my father house. Msgically, the house transform into a higher building with falling parts an workers evacuating by jumping with a chute and poor me, in my car being miraculously saved from the debris.... I paused the video before the light show, will watch it when my eyes will be ready.. Looks good so far thou.. Ok, back to bed..

[@mikesunboxing]

stop eating cheese before going to bed

[@patricklebel1141]

@@mikesunboxing Well.. With thing like chopper and stuff falling to parts, maybe it has something to do with your uphere cooler and fan reviews.... 🤔

[@mikesunboxing]

@@patricklebel1141 Sorry!

[@jsa1313]

nice review keep it up

[@mikesunboxing]

Thanks, will do!

[@lloydacriz6475]

Wheres the follow-up video?

[@mikesunboxing]

got slightly delayed sorry. what would you like to see?

[@lloydacriz6475]

@@mikesunboxing step by step installation of this cooler, what is the best method.

[@mikesunboxing]

@@lloydacriz6475 Will try and do one :-)

[@gabrielsimsuangco6936]

@@mikesunboxing yeah man heres to hoping it comes out soon, thr mechanic said i need a bracket on a 3600, and i dont wanna spend extra

[@celfon6282]

Is the video up somewhere? I'm really confused on how to properly install this cooler

[@cauapaulon167]

Thank you for all that informations Imhotep hardware nerd!

[@mikesunboxing]

Lol thanks 🙏

[@cauapaulon167]

@@mikesunboxing Hey Mike, today i ordered one Dark air plus with two fans, i would love to watch an installation tutorial to guide me when i go to install mine!

[@mikesunboxing]

@@cauapaulon167 It is on the list to do :-)

[@KurkKijang-sv9tz]

Sir, do you have already a follow up video on how to install it for AMD socket?

[@mikesunboxing]

no i haven't sorry not yet

[@ElChan0]

Did you screw it in all the way using the stock am4 backplate? Just bought it for my ryzen cpu and struggling installing it

[@mikesunboxing]

yes that is right, and make sure the AM4 backplate is fully flat against the back of the motherboard

[@sufianahmed2007]

Hey Mike can you give me suggestion about which one to buy ryzen 3600 or ryzen 2700

[@mikesunboxing]

probably the vetroo v5 i think or the 120mm snowman if you don't mind waiting

[@mikesunboxing]

This is maybe easier to fix or at least advise if we can ask more questions and get direct answers, so feel free to join our Discord chat and we can go over it in more detail discord.gg/gaeeDPw

[@ryanrydes6372]

I just wonder if this cpu cooler's argb port is compatible or can be plugged into Darkflash DR12 Pro's control hub.

[@mikesunboxing]

seems like it or at least the passthrough should do it

[@catfunvid]

Can it really dissipate 200w of heat produced or its just a marketing tactic?

[@mikesunboxing]

marketing i would think, not many coolers can cope with 200w sustained

[@sagittarius466]

Good day! I just want to ask if I can still use this cooler with a motherboard that has no ARGB/RGB header. Will it still light up even if I only connect the fan to the CPU fan header only? Thank you in advance.

[@mikesunboxing]

no it will be off if not connected

[@fatinsuhimi3254]

Hello Sir. Is this compatible with micro ATX case? I'm thinking of upgrading my cooler to a new one but I'm not sure if a tower air cooler is suitable for a mATX. Plus I'm using MSI h310m Pro VD Plus motherboard which I'm not even sure whether or not it can support the rgb feature that this cooler has. Probably need your help here. Thanks a lot!

[@mikesunboxing]

it will fit in most cases just check the CPU cooler clearance for the case, if you have around 160mm then you should be okay, but that motherboard doesn't have an ARGB header so you can't really connect the lights

[@CEBUseiran]

Which do you think is better this air cooler or the darkflash 120mm water cooler?

[@mikesunboxing]

they will most likely be very similar performance as they are similar thermal mass

[@mikebenchmarks9767]

Bought the darkair plus for 25$ reaching 65 temps on i5 9400 probably i think i just used too much thermal paste sadly cant use rgb because of 4 pin mobo

[@adaooliveira4434]

dude, can you help me install it on amd? in mine it is loose, even after fully tightening the screw, there is a space between the processor and the cooler, I had to keep pushing it or put a support to keep it from falling, but it doesn't cool very well and it's neither beautiful nor correct If anyone can help me, I'd appreciate i

[@mikesunboxing]

Post some pics of it on the discord tech support room and I’ll have a look

[@benjamintan163]

how to change the color of this, mine is yellow and it doesn’t fit well with my fans i hope you can teach me how to change the color of it Thanksss

[@mikesunboxing]

Plug into a suitable argb header and you can you your motherboard software to control it

[@davenufc8487]

Great video Mike. Just ordered one for 18 quid. Are you still planing on doing an installation video?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes definitely, be out soon

[@davenufc8487]

@@mikesunboxing Thats great mate. Looking forward to it

[@Clydeh9]

Would you recommend this for i7 12700kf?

[@mikesunboxing]

with the new intel motherboard limits it will just about cope with that load i think. Personally i think almost all modern CPUs need at least a 240 aio

[@elijahtablang2840]

is there a driver for the rgb? i cant get mine to work, but its a little different from this one. mine has two fans, but i cant for the life of me figure out how to plug the other fan in my msi a320m a pro board, so i took it out coz it wasnt spinning. ever since though, it never booted up with rgb so i was wondering if it has to do with the fan or a driver i couldnt find. thank you!

[@mikesunboxing]

the msi a320m doesn't have addressable rgb so you need a controller or a case that has one

[@elijahtablang2840]

@@mikesunboxing oooh i didnt know that, kinda new to building pc and stuff. thank you so much!

[@ismail-ym9nh]

thanks bud

[@mikesunboxing]

No problem 👍

[@TeiiGoodah]

Hi sir, I have that cpu cooler too and I got the two darkflash fans free with that CPU Cooler. What's the best? 1 fan or 2 fans with that cpu cooler? I'm using Fantech AERO CG80 Mid Tower Case with 6 Darkflash fans. Thanks in advance sir!

[@mikesunboxing]

two will drop the temps a few more degrees in my experience but not much more

[@TeiiGoodah]

@@mikesunboxing Thank you sir, is 71-75 degree is safe? I'm playing GTA5 and Valorant.

[@mikesunboxing]

@@TeiiGoodah Sounds OK

[@rosscom6696]

Any idea if it's possible to rotate the tower somehow? With my current setup, the fan is blowing hot air into my PSU. (If I put the fan on the other side of tower, I don't get to see the RGB goodness!

[@mikesunboxing]

not that i know of sorry

[@rosscom6696]

Thanks for quick reply mate! Wasn't sure if I was missing something. Oversight when I rotated my mobo for vertical GPU

[@leonmilosevic82]

Would you recommend this for ryzen 3600 or I should save some money and get 240mm AIO

[@mikesunboxing]

if you have good airflow in the case this will be all you need

[@leonmilosevic82]

@@mikesunboxing I have 3 front 1 back and i will buy 2 on top?)

[@christiandiez7325]

is this compatible on a520m pro?

[@mikesunboxing]

it will fit but you won't have rgb

[@christiandiez7325]

but does it affect the cooling?

[@mekkelatedakjoho4955]

Hello sir. May i ask, i am using the asrock b450m steel legend mobo. If i am going to use this cooler, do i need to change the standard backplate to install? Thanks in advance.

[@mikesunboxing]

that is shown in detail in the video. but short answer you have to change the backplate

[@laythalabrawi3942]

The listing of the cooler does not state LGA 1200 socket compatible Is it really compatible to LGA 1200? If so I really wanna add this to my budget pc build

[@mikesunboxing]

yes LGA 1200 is the same fitting as 115x

[@laythalabrawi3942]

@@mikesunboxing thanks allot

[@mikesunboxing]

@@laythalabrawi3942 No problem :-)

[@kavindudissanayaka798]

Hello sir.i have a ryzen 5 3600 with a asus rog b550f motherboard.my room temps are around 29-33C.will this be enough?

[@kavindudissanayaka798]

Oh sorry i commented in the early part of video.but can u answer that temp question

[@mikesunboxing]

yes should be fine 👍

[@mikebenchmarks9767]

Had to return mine due to defective lighting on fans had trouble removing it cause i wasnt aware the square stuff the goes to the backplate and screws with the cooler was loose and i was stupid and couldnt unscrew it because the square screw type thing is spinning while unscrewing and i think i damsged my motherboard because of overscrewing but it still works hoping it still will in the long run I can see one copper line near the cpu cooler mounting hole are is it bad?

[@mikesunboxing]

not sure post a picture of it on the discord in the #tech-chat room and i'll take a look

[@mikebenchmarks9767]

@@mikesunboxing ok sure

[@mikebenchmarks9767]

@@mikesunboxing invite links invalid maybe need new one?

[@mikebenchmarks9767]

@@mikesunboxing nvm it works just had to manually type the code in idk why pressing the link doesnt work

[@captainpotatonly]

Should I get this with a 5600x? My wraith stealth isn’t doing to great with the cpu...

[@mikesunboxing]

get the vetroo v5 instead

[@captainpotatonly]

@@mikesunboxing can’t find any locally all ship from the USA and uk.

[@captainpotatonly]

Just found one actuallu

[@reymonddomingo4412]

where is the video for the installation on amd? im having a hard time, the manual really sucks

[@mikesunboxing]

sorry never got around to doing it

[@julesericksumpia2417]

Is it compatible on Gigabye B450M Aorus Elite Motherboard?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes i am pretty sure that board has a 5v 3 pin argb header

[@xsvrrx]

cool

[@mikesunboxing]

literally!

[@chubbycheeks2k3]

Will this work even if your mobo only has the 12v 4 pin rgb?

[@mikesunboxing]

no it needs a 5v argb or a controller that is able to provide a 5v argb signal

[@alishahoud2614]

Mike is speaking very fast hahaha I can't understand everything.. ( I'm not native speaker) But really i love your videos Thanks ♥.

[@mikesunboxing]

Glad you like them! you can slow the video down by clicking the settings cog and reducing the speed 😎

[@alishahoud2614]

@@mikesunboxing No time.. Not good Internet where i live in Syria.. I hope soon i can understand everything.. But really very rich content here.. Have a great day ♥

[@mikesunboxing]

@@alishahoud2614 Thank you very much - we appreciate that. You have a great day too :-)

[@EidAgha]

Is it compatible with LgA 1155?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes it is

[@saintstudioo]

Hello imma bout to buy this is it ok with the i5 12400f?

[@mikesunboxing]

should be fine

[@ishiraudanthayapadahanayak2292]

Is this cooler compatible with 12th gen processors

[@mikesunboxing]

no it isn't sorry

[@atobekeigo17]

got confuse on amd installation and i didnt see your video how to install it 😆

[@mikesunboxing]

Have you got it installed ok now?

[@atobekeigo17]

@@mikesunboxing yes thanks i re watch your video and you say you use the stock back plate so i use it and it works thanks

[@mikesunboxing]

@@atobekeigo17 Glad to hear that!

[@atobekeigo17]

@@mikesunboxing thanks thanks

[@rezs8187]

yep, 2 hrs fiddling around with the same cooler, the backplate is useless for amd, no plastic stopper like our mate said, my old backplate didn't fit too, hot glued the d*mn thing, and turns out I can't screw it in with the cooler getting in the way, don't buy this if you have micro atx amd board.

[@mikesunboxing]

yeah this could have been really good but the fitting is a real balls up

[@modestopulido6389]

how to to connect argb is so small wire?

[@mikesunboxing]

sorry i don't understand the question

[@donnconcepcion9483]

Can i add one 120mm fans so it will have 2 fans?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes you can, it will most likely reduce temps another few degrees

[@laciesunday]

Will this be enough if paired with Ryzen 5 5600x?

[@mikesunboxing]

Yes it will do a good job if the base is well done

[@laciesunday]

@@mikesunboxing cool, thank you !

[@mikesunboxing]

@@laciesunday No problem 🙂

[@Hirumaa.]

Is it normal cpu cooler vibration?

[@mikesunboxing]

not sure

[@celfon6282]

How do you properly install this?

[@mikesunboxing]

i'm not sure what you mean there? like in the video?

[@a.plipps]

Can this cooler fit in a Lian Li o11 Dynamic case?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes easily

[@a.plipps]

@@mikesunboxing Awesome! Thanks for the swift reply!

[@mikesunboxing]

@@a.plipps No problem :-)

[@chemedian9813]

Is this compatible with lga1200 socket?

[@mikesunboxing]

Yes that is the same as the 115x type socket mounting

[@chemedian9813]

Its ARGB right? Coz I do have a aorus motherboard.

[@valentino5999]

Can I add a second fan

[@mikesunboxing]

there wasn't clips to add one when i bought it, but they might do now

[@michaelmngy6940]

Is it compatible on LGA 1200?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes it is

[@michaelmngy6940]

thank you

[@mikesunboxing]

@@michaelmngy6940 No problem :-)

[@obito1298]

Hey is this good for ryzen 5 3600?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes it is, i am using mine with a 5600G at the moment and it works well

[@obito1298]

@@mikesunboxing thank you bro

[@mikesunboxing]

@@obito1298 No problem :-)

[@xsvrrx]

lol unmounted aio is crying lol

[@mikesunboxing]

it does look a little sad there

[@mikebenchmarks9767]

Lga 1151?

[@mikesunboxing]

yes it will do that also covered in the LGA 115x ranges

[@elkolob1]

De verdad no sabes armarlo? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mikesunboxing]

sé cómo hacerlo, pero el sistema de montaje no es bueno y las temperaturas no son excelentes

[@rigidhammer7376]

you cant make a 5 min video. thats the downside of your reviews

[@mikesunboxing]

lucky that the majority of our viewers like the longer form content and the extra hand holding and explanations. most often the shorter videos don't cover the product enough and leave out details that might make you buy something that is not suitable.

[@rigidhammer7376]

@@mikesunboxing sorry but beefy short videos exists. long explanation (or shall we say chitchat) is not a must

[@Alex-hh5dk]

2011-?

[@mikesunboxing]

no sure sorry

[@Alex-hh5dk]

​@@mikesunboxing this is bad. I bought for 2011. if it works out to install I will write. sorry google translate

[@Alex-hh5dk]

@@mikesunboxing It can be installed on socket 2011. You need to take out the factory bolts, and insert the bolts for 2011. Greetings from Russia. Good luck everyone.

[@Alex-hh5dk]

@@mikesunboxing You follow the comments. Therefore the subscription. And the content is very interesting.

[@mikesunboxing]

@@Alex-hh5dk thanks 🙏 appreciate it