The Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11: A Review of a High-End Power Supply

The Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 is a semi-modular power supply manufactured by FSP, designed to be stealthy and efficient. It has an 80+ Platinum rating, which is more than acceptable for most users. This power supply also boasts a long holdup time and steady load regulation, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications such as gaming and server productivity.

One notable feature of the Dark Power Pro 11 is its silent Wings 3 fan, rated at 1800 RPM and featuring a fluid dynamic bearing that produces literally inaudible sounds under most circumstances. This makes it an ideal choice for those who value quiet operation without sacrificing performance.

In our testing, we compared the Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 to another high-end power supply, the Deep Cool power supply. While both units have similar specifications and features, the circuit implementation and design of the Dark Power Pro 11 proved to be a significant difference.

We used a 5820K processor in our testing, which results in a power draw that is closer to the 1000W mark compared to the 6900K processor used previously. Despite this, the power supply's performance remained consistent and efficient. The microphone was placed under the power supply shroud during operation, and the resulting sounds were noticeable even at low volumes.

The comparison between the Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 and the Deep Cool power supply revealed a significant difference in sound output. The Dark Power Pro 11 produced virtually silent operation, while the Deep Cool power supply made audible humming noises that could be heard through the microphone. This was particularly notable during gaming sessions, where the sounds of the game were barely distinguishable from the noise produced by the power supply.

The use of a Haswell-based processor in our testing resulted in slightly higher power consumption compared to the Broadwell-based processor used previously. However, this difference was not significant enough to affect the overall performance of the Dark Power Pro 11.

In conclusion, the Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 is a high-end power supply that offers excellent reliability, efficiency, and quiet operation. Its 80+ Platinum rating, long holdup time, and steady load regulation make it suitable for heavy-duty applications such as gaming and server productivity. While it may be more expensive than other options, the benefits of using a top-tier power supply are well worth the investment.

Recommendations for Choosing a Power Supply

When selecting a power supply for your PC build, there are several factors to consider. For systems under $500, a tier 3 PSU is a good choice as it offers a balance between price and performance. However, for more expensive builds ranging from $500 to $1000, a tier 2 PSU may be sufficient. And for computers exceeding $1000, only the highest-tier power supplies should be considered.

In particular, I would recommend using a Tier 1 power supply for systems above $1000, as they offer the best reliability and efficiency. While it's tempting to cut corners on power supplies to save money, this can often result in compromised performance and reduced lifespan of other components.

Personal Experience with the Dark Power Pro 11

I must admit that I made a mistake by using a lower-tier power supply in my previous builds. Specifically, I used a $9 power supply in Walter White Version 1.0 and version 2.0, despite having a budget of over $1000 for each system.

In retrospect, this was a significant error on my part, as I failed to prioritize reliability and efficiency when choosing the power supply. However, I've learned from my mistakes and now actively seek out high-end power supplies like the Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11.

Conclusion

The Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 11 is a top-tier power supply that offers excellent performance, reliability, and quiet operation. Its 80+ Platinum rating, long holdup time, and steady load regulation make it suitable for heavy-duty applications such as gaming and server productivity. By choosing the right power supply for your system, you can ensure optimal performance and longevity of your components.

The author's note at the end of the article mentions that this review was not sponsored by Be Quiet in any way, but rather a genuine assessment of the Dark Power Pro 11's capabilities. The author also expresses their disappointment with their previous builds using lower-tier power supplies and commits to seeking out high-end power supplies for future projects.

The final note in the article encourages readers to learn with the author as they continue to explore various PC builds, including an upcoming AMD build featuring the R9 Fury graphics card.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enpicking a power supply isn't easy if you're new to PC Building determining wattage requirements is one thing but determining which will be quote unquote reliable is another entirely it's an overused word and highly subjective no chart you will ever see in regards to PSU longevity will be fully reliable because not everyone reports his or her malfunctioning unit we can however predict PSU reliability based on build quality circuitry things that are Way Beyond me but that professional people do on a daily basis they know what's good and what's not and also past Trends it's why we group power supply models into tiers tier one being the most reliable and tier three being the least if it isn't in one of these three tiers I personally wouldn't buy it unless it's a brand new power supply that hasn't been tested yet I made no secret of the fact that I used a tier 3 deep cool power supply for Walter White's version 1.0 and 2.0 it's manufactured by Channel well technology not the best of the bunch and also not the most efficient but remember efficiency does not directly determine build quality they go hand inand typically A Better Built PSU will be more efficient but just because something is say 80 plus gold doesn't mean I won't have problems with it or experience more than I would with say an 80 plus bronze power supply let me play a brief clip of a video I uploaded a while back what you're about to hear is my DQ 1000 power supply under load here I'll do you a favor this is how loud I sound with the microphone you know half a foot from my face that's loud that's louder than in-game volume uh by a by a long shot for more on that video click right here I was just playing GTA 5 we weren't anywhere near 1,000 watts in this system Under full load still wouldn't come close to 1,000 Watts so I have a lot of buffer room but the PSU got super hot which means one of two things it's either getting super loud or a sensor is malfunctioning regardless it was not something I was willing to put up with in comes be quiet and I'm not telling you to be quiet I'm actually talking about the company be quiet as you might expect sound is an issue for these folks they're all about building quiet efficient components you may know them from their cases their fans which are almost dead silent even under load or their power supplies meet the be quiet dark Power Pro 11 manufactured by fsp it's semi modular stealthy quiet and extremely efficient it has an 80 plus Platinum rating more than acceptable holdup time and steady load regulation if any of these terms seem a bit unfamiliar I have linked articles in this video description that should get you going don't worry I was on the same boat one other thing I'd like to note before running the sound comparison test is the fact that the dark Power Pro 11 is also fitted with a silent Wings 3 135 mm fluid Dynamic bearing 12volt fan rated for 1800 RPM and as you can see here literally inaudible under most circumstances so let's put the B quiet power supply under similar conditions as the Deep cool power supply one thing I do want to note that has changed is the fact that I'm sporting a 5820k now instead of a 6900k regardless load power draw should be in the ballpark both are 1,000 watt units both are semi modular and both have high efficiency ratings but in this case it's the circuit implementation and design that truly differentiates the two case and point okay I'm in GTA again just like last time and I've let the game sit for about five or six minutes I have the microphone here I'm going to take it off and I'm going to throw it underneath the power supply uh the power supply shroud in Heisenberg and yeah I already know it's a huge night and day difference so uh I'll give you the exact same run we gave for the Deep cool power supply here's the microphone and we're going to set it right there well doesn't fall and set it right there there we go uh yeah you're hearing that I mean that's that's while uh while playing you know there's there's nothing else going on any this computer is probably drawing a bit more power than Walter White version 2.0 was just because we have a Haswell lead chip in there instead of a Broadwell chip broad Wells are much more uh energy efficient so uh yeah I mean huge difference I'm going to now alternate between what you're hearing there if you're hearing anything at all I doubt you are uh between that and the leaf blower of a DQ 1000 we heard previously huge difference I don't even need to say anything else and no this video is not sponsored by be quiet in any way I'm just letting the facts speak for themselves you really do get what you pay for companies that choose less reliable manufacturers save some cash and can Target wider audiences with lower PSU retail prices but companies that keep reliability at their forefronts will not compromise on build quality or design for the sake of reaching wider audiences this Power Pro 11 is a 1,000 W unit most people don't buy these unless they plan on some serious gaming or server productivity both of which are very expensive so don't do what I did and pair a $2,300 PC with a $9 power supply that isn't even in the top tier just don't do it look for something with excellent reliability and efficiency that won't put your other components in Jeopardy I know several of you are partial to only Corsair or EVGA superflower or c Sonic psus but there's a reason the be quiet dark Power Pro 11 is tier one you can stick to Brand loyalty I'm not going to try to persuade you to move away from one manufacturer of psus to another you know what works and what doesn't but that doesn't mean that anything else in tier one isn't reliable and I've made it a point to use the power pro 11 in Heisenberg ultra quiet and Ultra reliable knocking on wood nothing is perfect so to sum this up in whatever you decide to build pick a power supply that fits your demand for any PC build under about $500 picking a tier 3 PSU isn't a bad choice it's all about saving money at that point I wouldn't go with anything under tier 2 for PCs ranging anywhere from $500 to ,000 and certainly nothing other than Tier 1 for computers more expensive than that again I speak from experience and won't try to hide the fact that I made a mistake in that regard when it came to Walter White Version 1.0 and version 2.0 if you like this video be sure to give it a thumbs up give it a thumbs down if you do feel the complete opposite or if you hate everything about life be sure to click the subscribe button if you haven't already stay tuned for that AMD PC build I've been teasing about for quite a while I'm waiting on the graphics card AMD R9 Fury I purchased it for 280 bucks on New Egg we'll see if I get my money's worth this is Salazar Studio thanks for learning with us andpicking a power supply isn't easy if you're new to PC Building determining wattage requirements is one thing but determining which will be quote unquote reliable is another entirely it's an overused word and highly subjective no chart you will ever see in regards to PSU longevity will be fully reliable because not everyone reports his or her malfunctioning unit we can however predict PSU reliability based on build quality circuitry things that are Way Beyond me but that professional people do on a daily basis they know what's good and what's not and also past Trends it's why we group power supply models into tiers tier one being the most reliable and tier three being the least if it isn't in one of these three tiers I personally wouldn't buy it unless it's a brand new power supply that hasn't been tested yet I made no secret of the fact that I used a tier 3 deep cool power supply for Walter White's version 1.0 and 2.0 it's manufactured by Channel well technology not the best of the bunch and also not the most efficient but remember efficiency does not directly determine build quality they go hand inand typically A Better Built PSU will be more efficient but just because something is say 80 plus gold doesn't mean I won't have problems with it or experience more than I would with say an 80 plus bronze power supply let me play a brief clip of a video I uploaded a while back what you're about to hear is my DQ 1000 power supply under load here I'll do you a favor this is how loud I sound with the microphone you know half a foot from my face that's loud that's louder than in-game volume uh by a by a long shot for more on that video click right here I was just playing GTA 5 we weren't anywhere near 1,000 watts in this system Under full load still wouldn't come close to 1,000 Watts so I have a lot of buffer room but the PSU got super hot which means one of two things it's either getting super loud or a sensor is malfunctioning regardless it was not something I was willing to put up with in comes be quiet and I'm not telling you to be quiet I'm actually talking about the company be quiet as you might expect sound is an issue for these folks they're all about building quiet efficient components you may know them from their cases their fans which are almost dead silent even under load or their power supplies meet the be quiet dark Power Pro 11 manufactured by fsp it's semi modular stealthy quiet and extremely efficient it has an 80 plus Platinum rating more than acceptable holdup time and steady load regulation if any of these terms seem a bit unfamiliar I have linked articles in this video description that should get you going don't worry I was on the same boat one other thing I'd like to note before running the sound comparison test is the fact that the dark Power Pro 11 is also fitted with a silent Wings 3 135 mm fluid Dynamic bearing 12volt fan rated for 1800 RPM and as you can see here literally inaudible under most circumstances so let's put the B quiet power supply under similar conditions as the Deep cool power supply one thing I do want to note that has changed is the fact that I'm sporting a 5820k now instead of a 6900k regardless load power draw should be in the ballpark both are 1,000 watt units both are semi modular and both have high efficiency ratings but in this case it's the circuit implementation and design that truly differentiates the two case and point okay I'm in GTA again just like last time and I've let the game sit for about five or six minutes I have the microphone here I'm going to take it off and I'm going to throw it underneath the power supply uh the power supply shroud in Heisenberg and yeah I already know it's a huge night and day difference so uh I'll give you the exact same run we gave for the Deep cool power supply here's the microphone and we're going to set it right there well doesn't fall and set it right there there we go uh yeah you're hearing that I mean that's that's while uh while playing you know there's there's nothing else going on any this computer is probably drawing a bit more power than Walter White version 2.0 was just because we have a Haswell lead chip in there instead of a Broadwell chip broad Wells are much more uh energy efficient so uh yeah I mean huge difference I'm going to now alternate between what you're hearing there if you're hearing anything at all I doubt you are uh between that and the leaf blower of a DQ 1000 we heard previously huge difference I don't even need to say anything else and no this video is not sponsored by be quiet in any way I'm just letting the facts speak for themselves you really do get what you pay for companies that choose less reliable manufacturers save some cash and can Target wider audiences with lower PSU retail prices but companies that keep reliability at their forefronts will not compromise on build quality or design for the sake of reaching wider audiences this Power Pro 11 is a 1,000 W unit most people don't buy these unless they plan on some serious gaming or server productivity both of which are very expensive so don't do what I did and pair a $2,300 PC with a $9 power supply that isn't even in the top tier just don't do it look for something with excellent reliability and efficiency that won't put your other components in Jeopardy I know several of you are partial to only Corsair or EVGA superflower or c Sonic psus but there's a reason the be quiet dark Power Pro 11 is tier one you can stick to Brand loyalty I'm not going to try to persuade you to move away from one manufacturer of psus to another you know what works and what doesn't but that doesn't mean that anything else in tier one isn't reliable and I've made it a point to use the power pro 11 in Heisenberg ultra quiet and Ultra reliable knocking on wood nothing is perfect so to sum this up in whatever you decide to build pick a power supply that fits your demand for any PC build under about $500 picking a tier 3 PSU isn't a bad choice it's all about saving money at that point I wouldn't go with anything under tier 2 for PCs ranging anywhere from $500 to ,000 and certainly nothing other than Tier 1 for computers more expensive than that again I speak from experience and won't try to hide the fact that I made a mistake in that regard when it came to Walter White Version 1.0 and version 2.0 if you like this video be sure to give it a thumbs up give it a thumbs down if you do feel the complete opposite or if you hate everything about life be sure to click the subscribe button if you haven't already stay tuned for that AMD PC build I've been teasing about for quite a while I'm waiting on the graphics card AMD R9 Fury I purchased it for 280 bucks on New Egg we'll see if I get my money's worth this is Salazar Studio thanks for learning with us and\n"