be quiet! Pure Base 501 DX

Darksaber · 2025-02-27T13:51:00+0000

The be quiet! Pure Base 501 DX is a refresh of the 500 series, which was released more than half a decade ago. The refresh uses the same frame, with a slew of updates and improvements. These modernizations go a long way to keep the body relevant, allowing the refreshed design of the Pure Base 501 DX to shine confidently.

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Chaitanya · 2025-02-27T14:22:57+0000

Does the IO still have reset button along with drive activity LED seen on base version of the case?

80-watt Hamster · 2025-02-27T16:26:03+0000

Expansion slots flush with the rear panel is a hard pass for a case on the wrong side of USD100. This is my fourth* least favorite design trend in cases. Blech.

*First through third places are RGB, windows, and 230+ mm widths. This case manages to hit them all.

Chrispy_ · 2025-02-27T16:59:14+0000

I guess it's fine, but when the 500 series launched back in 2019 it was already a very traditional, safe design that didn't exactly look new or exciting back then. It was a 2010-2015-era case style that was better made than most of its kin, but very much of the "generic metal box" with "prominent plastic fascia" and other dated details like a four-bolt glass side panel and those flsuh expansion slot tabs under an annoying cover that adds two more screws to every single operation involving slots.

In 2025, it feels a little out of place, and definitely not competitive at $125. There are just so many better cases at the $100 mark so this isn't going to survive the price hike.
The 2024 H5 flow is just miles ahead of it as an air-cooled case that looks and feels better for a lot less money and if you want a case with radiator compatibility, then <broadly gestures at the entire $99 case market>.

Sithaer · 2025-02-27T17:10:28+0000

Chrispy_ said:
Four-bolt glass side panel and those flsuh expansion slot tabs under an annoying cover that adds two more screws to every single operation involving slots.

As an owner of the 500 FX for a while now. '2+ years I think' Those 2 are my main issues with it especially that expansion slot thingy like whats even the point of it I still can't figure out.
Other than that its a solid built case but it was indeed on the pricey side of things when I've bought it and nowadays there are many other decent/cheaper options for sure.

Chrispy_ · 2025-02-27T18:01:49+0000

Sithaer said:
especially that expansion slot thingy like whats even the point of it I still can't figure out.

It's cheaper and simpler to make like that. Manufacturer profit is more important than your convenience.

It's an acceptable compromise on a $40-80 case, it's not really welcome in the $100 price bracket and it's a disgusting insult at $125.

System Name	Corsair 2000D Silent Gaming Rig
Processor	Intel Core i5-14600K
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix Z790-i Gaming Wifi
Cooling	Corsair iCUE H150i Black
Memory	Corsair 64 GB 6000 MHz DDR5
Video Card(s)	Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phoenix GS
Storage	TeamGroup 1TB NVMe SSD
Display(s)	Gigabyte 32" M32U
Case	Corsair 2000D
Power Supply	Corsair 850 W SFX
Mouse	Logitech MX
Keyboard	Sharkoon PureWriter TKL

System Name	Office
Processor	Ryzen 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS B450M-A II
Cooling	be quiet! Shadow Rock LP
Memory	16GB Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-3200
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte RX 5600 XT
Storage	PNY CS1030 250GB, Crucial MX500 2TB
Display(s)	Dell S2719DGF
Case	Fractal Define 7 Compact
Power Supply	EVGA 550 G3
Mouse	Logitech M705 Marthon
Keyboard	Logitech G410
Software	Windows 10 Pro 22H2

System Name	Bragging Rights
Processor	Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard	It has no markings but it's green
Cooling	No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory	2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s)	Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage	32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s)	10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case	Veddha T2
Audio Device(s)	Apparently, yes
Power Supply	Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse	MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD	Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software	W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores	I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.

System Name	I don't name my systems.
Processor	i5-12600KF 'stock power limits/-115mV undervolt+contact frame'
Motherboard	Asus Prime B660-PLUS D4
Cooling	ID-Cooling SE 224 XT ARGB V3 'CPU', 4x Be Quiet! Light Wings + 2x Arctic P12 black case fans.
Memory	4x8GB G.SKILL Ripjaws V DDR4 3200MHz
Video Card(s)	Asus TuF V2 RTX 3060 Ti @1920 MHz Core/@950mV Undervolt
Storage	4 TB WD Red, 1 TB Silicon Power A55 Sata, 1 TB Kingston A2000 NVMe, 256 GB Adata Spectrix s40g NVMe
Display(s)	29" 2560x1080 75Hz / LG 29WK600-W
Case	Be Quiet! Pure Base 500 FX Black
Audio Device(s)	Onboard + Hama uRage SoundZ 900+USB DAC
Power Supply	Seasonic CORE GM 500W 80+ Gold
Mouse	Canyon Puncher GM-11
Keyboard	SPC Gear GK630K Tournament 'Kailh Brown'
Software	Windows 10 Pro

System Name	Bragging Rights
Processor	Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard	It has no markings but it's green
Cooling	No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory	2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s)	Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage	32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s)	10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case	Veddha T2
Audio Device(s)	Apparently, yes
Power Supply	Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse	MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD	Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software	W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores	I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.

be quiet! Pure Base 501 DX

Darksaber

Senior Editor & Case Reviewer

Chaitanya

80-watt Hamster

Chrispy_

Sithaer

Chrispy_