be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 Rev. 2

[Darksaber]

The be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 rev. 2 represents an update and tweak to the already impressive original with its insane modularity and massive feature set. While it looks nearly identical on the outside, there are numerous changes and additions that make this a worthwhile update.

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[Anymal]

Phanteks Luxe 2 for 190eur is way better option, more fan mounts and dual system with ITX, dual PSU.

 

[Rivage]

That's my baby! For about 6 months already. Love it.

 

[nikoya]

Nice review Darksaber ! Thank you

1 or 2 questions I'm asking myself :
- Why the front face is so well treated for dust filtration, while the rear face does have so many holes everywhere...I actually have the same concept on my Bitfenix prodigy and always wondered why.
- How is directed the air flow : all out, all in, or?

 

[Hossein Almet]

My next build is either this case or the Cosmos C700M or the Lux 2. Decision, decision, decision!

 

[efikkan]

Does anyone know if Be Quiet plans a second revision of the non-pro Dark Base 900?

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I find it very puzzling that this case is praised for "amazing liquid-cooling support", while counting the limited top and bottom airflow as negatives. This is clearly a case meant for horizontal airflow, and somewhat limited airflow in general, which makes this a case where water cooling is practically pointless and even less efficient than air cooling. A good radiator setup should be on the exhaust side, neither the top nor the front is suited for that here. I would consider this a case very unsuited for water cooling, but I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker, since that is not the priority of this case.

My feedback for Be Quiet:
- I would advise creating a version without the reversible layout, or completely dropping it.
- Increasing the size of those side vents should help airflow a lot without causing problems with noise, and would make this a wonderful case for workstations.
- Even though this is one of few cases with premium fans included, I would still prefer if they were optional.

 

[Anymal]

My next build is either this case or the Cosmos C700M or the Lux 2. Decision, decision, decision!

Considered the prices? Its 1:2 for Cosmos.

 

[claster17]

I find it very puzzling that this case is praised for "amazing liquid-cooling support", while counting the limited top and bottom airflow as negatives. This is clearly a case meant for horizontal airflow, and somewhat limited airflow in general, which makes this a case where water cooling is practically pointless and even less efficient than air cooling. A good radiator setup should be on the exhaust side, neither the top nor the front is suited for that here. I would consider this a case very unsuited for water cooling, but I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker, since that is not the priority of this case.

The only way to make this case watercooling-friendly is by literally cutting holes in it:
See my previous post

Even though this is one of few cases with premium fans included, I would still prefer if they were optional.

Funnily enough the stock fans don't fit the highly restrictive characteristics of this case at all. I got far better results by replacing the front fans with NF-A14 which moved more air at lower RPM and noise.

 

[Hossein Almet]

Considered the prices? Its 1:2 for Cosmos.

Well, with time and money spent on the components of the PC, I think we shouldn't spare a few bucks, great look and enough space for a thick radiator and 4 hard drives and 2 ssd are the things I'm after.

 

[efikkan]

Well, with time and money spent on the components of the PC, I think we shouldn't spare a few bucks, great look and enough space for a thick radiator and 4 hard drives and 2 ssd are the things I'm after.

I would choose the cheaper non-pro model without the fragile tempered glass door. But sure, when building a premium PC, quality components (within reason) is a given.

Water cooling is pointless without higher airflow than an air cooler can handle, and in Dark Base (Pro) 900 you will be bottlenecked by airflow. Either drop the water cooling, or choose a high airflow case.

 

[Mescalamba]

Compared to other competitors this case feels a bit outdated. Its nice to have something bit traditional, just it maybe can be done better.

I thought about this case for a long time too, eventually decided I will go crazy with modular ThermalTake Core P7, eventually.

 

[Th3pwn3r]

I would choose the cheaper non-pro model without the fragile tempered glass door. But sure, when building a premium PC, quality components (within reason) is a given.

Water cooling is pointless without higher airflow than an air cooler can handle, and in Dark Base (Pro) 900 you will be bottlenecked by airflow. Either drop the water cooling, or choose a high airflow case.

Only this version has somewhat poor airflow. The original doesn't have the PSU shroud so that helps .

 

[Assimilator]

I still don't understand (a) who thought black and orange were good colours (b) who approved them.

 

[Th3pwn3r]

I still don't understand (a) who thought black and orange were good colours (b) who approved them.

Probably the bazillion people who love Halloween which happens to be one of the holidays people spend billions of dollars on. I don't like it either though, if I had to pick a color it would be silver lines but prefer all one color.

 

[efikkan]

Personally, I don't care that much about looks of a box that I'll put underneath a desk, as long as it's not sh*tty RGB LEDs. If the orange one happens to be cheaper at time of purchase, I'll happily take that one. I'll only notice the color when I clean the room.