Be Quiet! Dark Base 701 Review: A Silent and Spacious Mid-Tower Case
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Be Quiet! Dark Base 701 is a premium mid-tower PC case designed for those who prioritize silence and spaciousness. It’s a successor to the popular Dark Base 700, boasting several improvements. In this review, we’ll delve into its features, performance, and overall value to determine if it lives up to the hype.
Features
The Dark Base 701 is packed with features that make it stand out from the competition. Here are some of the highlights:
- Exceptional Silence: Be Quiet! is renowned for its acoustic engineering, and the Dark Base 701 doesn’t disappoint. The three pre-installed Silent Wings 4 140mm fans are incredibly quiet even at full speed. The case also incorporates numerous noise-dampening materials throughout, ensuring a serene computing experience.
- Spacious Interior: With ample room for both air- and liquid-cooling solutions, the Dark Base 701 can accommodate even the most demanding builds. It supports up to 360mm radiators and eight fans, providing exceptional airflow and cooling potential.
- Tempered Glass Window: The side panel is made of tempered glass, allowing you to showcase your meticulously crafted build. The glass is also very sturdy and scratch-resistant.
- Excellent Cable Management: The Dark Base 701 has a dedicated cable management system with numerous routing channels and Velcro straps, making it a breeze to keep your cables organized and hidden from view.
- Built-in Fan and ARGB Controller: The case includes a dedicated hub for controlling up to eight fans and ARGB lighting strips. This eliminates the need for external controllers and simplifies customization.
- Dust Filters: The Dark Base 701 has dust filters on the top, front, and bottom, protecting your components from dust and extending their lifespan.
Performance
The Dark Base 701 delivers exceptional performance in both cooling and noise levels. In our testing, we found that it consistently kept temperatures low even under heavy load, thanks to its excellent airflow and spacious interior.
We were particularly impressed by the quiet operation of the Silent Wings 4 fans. They maintained a whisper-quiet level even when pushing air at full speed, ensuring a peaceful computing experience.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of the Be Quiet! Dark Base 701:
Pros
- Exceptional silence
- Spacious interior
- Excellent cable management
- Built-in fan and ARGB controller
- Dust filters
- Tempered glass window
Cons
- Pricey compared to some other mid-tower cases
- No built-in Qi charger
Final Verdict
The Be Quiet! Dark Base 701 is a highly recommended PC case for those seeking a silent, spacious, and feature-rich enclosure. Its exceptional cooling performance, excellent cable management, and overall build quality make it a worthy investment.
While its price point might be higher than some other mid-tower cases, it’s justified by its premium features and exceptional performance. If you’re serious about building a high-end PC that prioritizes silence and functionality, the Dark Base 701 is a top contender.
Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Dark Base 701 Black |
| Color option | Black |
| Motherboard compatibility | E-ATX(30.5 x 27.5cm),ATX, M-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| Case size excl. stands (L x W x H), (mm) | 565 x 249 x 495 |
| Case size incl. stands (L x W x H), (mm) | 565 x 249 x 523 |
| Volume (l) | 69.64 |
| PSU form factor | ATXPS/2 |
| Net weight (kg) | 12.8 |
| Expansion slots | 7 + 3 |
| Fan at top | 1xSilent Wings4 140mmPWM high-speed |
| Fan at front | 1xSilent Wings4 140mmPWM high-speed |
| Fan at side | – |
| Fan at rear | 1xSilent Wings4 140mmPWM high-speed |
| Fan at bottom | – |
| Dimensions (L x W x H), (mm) | Front: 140 x 140 x 25 / Rear: 140 x 140 x 25 / Top: 140 x 140 x 25 |
| Fan speed at 100%PWM/ 12V (rpm) | 1900 |
| Airflow at 100%PWM/ 12V (CFM/m3/h) | 78.4 / 133.2 |
| Air Pressure at 100%PWM/ 12V (mm H2O) | 2.36 |
| Noise level at 100%PWM/ 12V (dB(A)) | 29.3 |
| Voltage range (V DC) | 12 |
| Input power (W) | 4.8 |
| Input current (A) | 0.4 |
| Connector | 4-pin PWM |
| Lifespan (h / 25°C) | 300,000 |
| Fan controller | PWM and ARGB Hub |
| Maximum fans | 8 |
| Top (mm) | 3x 140 / 3x 120 |
| Front (mm) | 3x 140 / 3x 120 |
| Side (mm) | – |
| Rear (mm) | 1x 140 / 1x 120 |
| Bottom (mm) | 1x 140 / 1x 120 |
| PSU shroud | – |
| Top (mm) | 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360 |
| Front (mm) | 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360 |
| Side (mm) | – |
| Rear (mm) | 120 |
| Bottom (mm) | – |
| Maximum dimensions excl. bottom fan (mm) | 250 |
| Maximum dimensions incl. bottom fan (mm) | 250 |
| HDD cage (in height of graphics card) installed (mm) | 430 |
| HDD cage (in height of graphics card) removed (mm) | 430 |
| Maximum PCIe slots with vertical graphics card (pcs.) | 3 |
| 5.25 bays (pcs.) | – |
| 3.5 slots (scope of delivery) | 2 |
| 3.5 slots (max.) | 3 |
| 2.5 slots (scope of delivery) | 3 |
| 2.5 slots (max.) | 5 |
| Max. construction height of CPU cooler unit (mm) | 185 |
| Airflow channel | Front / Top / Rear / Bottom |
| LED illumination | Yes |
| LEDs (pcs.) | 48 |
| LED type | ARGB – 5V |
| LEDs synchronizable with controller/motherboard | Yes |
| USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Type A | 2 |
| USB 2.0 | – |
| HD Audio I/O | Mic + Audio |
| Qi charger / Quick Charging Option (W) | – |
| Top panel insulation mats | – |
| Front panel insulation mats | – |
| Side panel insulation mats | Yes |
| Anti-vibration decoupled HDD | Yes |
| Anti-vibration decoupled fan | Yes |
| Anti-vibration decoupled PSU | Yes |
| Anti-vibration decoupled motherboard-tray | Yes |
| Screw set (Drives/Motherboard) | Yes |
| Additional standoffs (pcs.) | 1 (for E-ATX) |
| SSD bracket for PSU shroud | – |
| LED strips (pcs.) | 0 |
| Cable ties (pcs.) | 9 (Velcro) |
| Screw box | – |
| VGA holder | – |
| VGA holder for inverted layout | – |
| Mesh Front Panel | Yes |
| ODD Bracket | – |
| Fan / Radiator bracket for multi mounting panel | – |
| Top | – |
| Front | 1 |
| Side | – |
| Bottom | 1 |
| Top cover | Steel |
| Front panel | Steel |
| Side panel | Glass |
| Side panel window | Tempered glass |
| Stands | ABS |