A compact ATX computer chassis refined for the value conscious system builder. Are there any compromises?
Product on Review: Pure Base 500
Manufacturer & Sponsor: be quiet!
Street Price: £62 GBP / $69 USD (Non-Window version)
Among the many new products being showcased at this year’s Computex 2019 event, it was be quiet! who revealed addition to the Pure Base Series. The brand has made a name for itself within the computer chassis segment as their passion for low-noise and solid build quality extends beyond cooling fans and CPU coolers.
The Pure Base series focusses on fusing together functionality and affordability. The Pure Base 500 is the second case join the series and doubles down on delivering a compact ATX chassis, which is still practical but which gives system builders a viable option in the value segment.
Pricing on this new case seems very good, has be quiet! cut any corners? Let’s find out!
be quiet! on their Pure Base 500
Pure Base cases are truly multitalented with a combination of compactness, functional features and quiet operation for an attractive price. They are perfect for practically any system configuration you desire for your ATX or micro ATX PC.
Closer Look Video
For this review we’ve also created a YouTube video which highlights all of the key features, shows a full system install and identifies the good/bad points regarding this computer case. Click the video below or go to the be quiet! Pure Base 500.
Thermal Performance Testing
Inside Pure Base 500 we have just two 140mm cooling fans but they are arranged in a push-pull configuration, which typically yields great results.
To discover the thermal performance of Pure Base 500 we will record idle temperatures after 20 minutes from a cold boot. We will then stress the system and temperatures will again be monitored after 30 minutes have elapsed.
For the purpose of accurate analysis, the idle and load temperatures for CPU will be recorded and the range between idle and load will be calculated to determine how efficient cooling is.
NOTE: Ambient temperature is 20C
System Components
CPU Intel Pentium K G3258 @ 4GHz
Motherboard GIGABYTE Z87X-D3H
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Turbo
Graphics NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti
Memory 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR3
HDD Samsung Spinpoint 500GB SATA-II
PSU Corsair RM850
Motherboard GIGABYTE Z87X-D3H
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED Turbo
Graphics NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti
Memory 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR3
HDD Samsung Spinpoint 500GB SATA-II
PSU Corsair RM850
Noise
Designed for low-noise, the Pure Base 500 achieves just that. The solid panels and low-noise fans deaden most system noise.
Conclusion
Knowing that the Pure Base Series is designed to appeal to value conscience system builders and learning of the initial price tag of the Pure Base 500, we weren’t too optimistic about the end product, but we have to say that after spending a week with this new model we’ve been mightily impressed.
Opting for a sleek external design, the Pure Base 500 continues with be quiet’s trademark appearance. Those who favour a different variant to what we’ve been checking out will be pleased to know there are three colours available, each having a window or non-windowed version, which should cater for different preferences.
The built quality is what surprised us the most. be quiet! hasn’t cut any corners here and in fact, they seem to have gone beyond what other manufacturers offer at this pricepoint . Pure Base has been engineered to a high standard and this manifests itself in the chassis, side panels, and even the interchangeable plates.
Even though this enclosure is designed to be compact, it still offers enough space for a catalogue of high-performance kit, whether that is the larger CPU coolers, high-end GPUs or even different sized radiators.
Admittedly the cooling could be better but Pure Base 500 isn’t designed to top the leaderboard for thermal performance – low-noise is the aim of the game here and with this territory, comes the evitable higher temperatures. Though they aren’t anything to be concerned about!
Our non-windowed version of Pure Base 500 is priced at £62 GBP / $69 USD which is excellent value for money based on what is being offered. We highly recommend this case!
Pure Base 500 is a sleek, compact computer case which is backed by solid build quality and an assortment of great features. All, at a reasonable cost.
Pros
+ Available in black or white
+ Low-noise
+ Excellent build quality
+ Interchangeable top panel
+ Good storage options
+ Strong on cable management
+ Can house high-end kit
+ Fits different sized radiators
+ Multiple variants available – colours/window
Cons
– Cooling performance isn’t amazing
+ Available in black or white
+ Low-noise
+ Excellent build quality
+ Interchangeable top panel
+ Good storage options
+ Strong on cable management
+ Can house high-end kit
+ Fits different sized radiators
+ Multiple variants available – colours/window
Cons
– Cooling performance isn’t amazing
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