Custom PC - UK (2020-01)

TEMPERATURERESULTS

There’s also a removable, noise-dampened 3.5in hard
disk cage in the base. If you’re planning to use more than two
hard disks, though, there’s no option to upgrade or add
another cage. Removing the cage allows for a 360mm
radiator to be installed in the front fan mounts, which support
either three 120mm fans or two 140mm fans, as well as
240mm and 280mm radiators. The roof is limited to a
240mm radiator, but that’s fairly typical in this price league.
Finally, to protect the interior from dust there’s a large pull-
out filter in the base, plus two layers of filters in the sides of
the front panel. The latter pops off easily for cleaning and
provides access to the fan mounts behind it. However, the
vents here are quite small, and airflow is further hampered
by excessive layers of filtering.

Performance
This minimal venting, combined with the slow-spinning fans,
impacts on the CPU cooling. The Pure Base 500’s delta T of
61°C is getting on for 10°C warmer than the better-performing
cases we’ve seen, such as the Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow.
Even the airflow-restricted Corsair iCUE 465X RGB beats this
result by 5°C.
The GPU delta T was much more competitive, likely helped
by the front fan directing airflow at our graphics card. The result
of 55°C was still no match for the Corsair iCUE 220T RGB
Airflow or Phanteks Eclipse P400A, though, which managed
50°C and 49°C respectively. Again, the Corsair iCUE 465X RGB
also managed to knock 4°C off the delta T of be quiet! case.
As we suspected, though, the case was far quieter than any
other fan-equipped cases we’ve tested recently.

Removingthetopventcoveralsoshaved5°CofftheCPU

deltaT, so while the case looks sleeker with it installed, it

definitely hinders cooling.

Conclusion

That mediocre CPU cooling result is certainly a concern for

air-cooled systems, especially those looking to cool an

overclocked CPU using a modest air cooler. In fact, it’s likely

even a high-performing air cooler will be hampered here.

That’s a shame, even with the super-low noise levels on

offer. Meanwhile, the GPU delta T is acceptable, but not

brilliant. Basically, the Pure Base 500 sacrifices airflow and

cooling for lower noise levels.

It’s also easy to work with this case, it has a reasonable

amountofstorageoptions,goodwater-coolingsupport

andit has excellent cable-tidying features. Add in the very

reasonable price tag, and it’s a solid choice for a low-noise

system, as long as you’re not overclocking an air-cooled

CPU, or if you’re using a liquid cooler for your CPU. The latter

will be less reliant on your case’s airflow and the weak rear

cooling fan. Shifting the rear fan to the front and adding a

more powerful rear fan would likely improve this case’s

airflow dramatically too.

ANTONY LEATHER

VERDICT

A solid low-noise case with some decent features for

the money, although its low airflow means it’s not for

overclocked air-cooled systems.

OVERALLSCORE

82 %

COOLING

23 / 30

FEATURES

16 / 20

DESIGN

25 / 30

VALUE

18 / 20

BEQUICK

+ Uniquelooks

+ Excellent^

cablerouting

+ Very quiet

BEDEAD

• Meagre^
  CPUcooling


• Lowairflow


• Only two hard^
  disk mounts

0 25°C 50°C 75°C

bequiet!PureBase 500

CorsairiCUE220TRGBAirflow

CorsairiCUE465XRGB

CougarPanzerEvo

FractalDesignDefineS2

LianLiLancoolOne

PhanteksEclipseP400A

†ermaltakeView 32

53°C

61°C

59°C

56°C

54°C

54°C

55°C

56°C

CPU Delta T

0 25°C 50°C 75°C

bequiet!PureBase 500

CorsairiCUE220TRGBAirflow

CorsairiCUE465XRGB

CougarPanzerEvo

FractalDesignDefineS2

LianLiLancoolOne

PhanteksEclipseP400A

†ermaltakeView 32

50°C

55°C

56°C

51°C

53°C

55°C

60°C

49°C

GPU Delta T

Lower is better

Lower is better