It has been nearly 2 years since we last reviewed a be quiet! chassis and even longer since the introduction of the Pure Base 500 DX, which this 500 FX is based on. At the time of review the 500 DX with its ARGB elements in the front and three 140 mm Pure Wings 2 fans had an MSRP of sweet $100. Now with the be quiet 500 FX, you instead receive four 120 mm Light Wings fans and a dedicated ARGB controller & PWM fan hub PCB instead. Besides that there is no physical change to the case. It, in turn retails for $150 MSRP (Editor's note: be quiet! currently has a $30 discount across its anniversary product range).

Diving further into that $50 difference, considering the $17,90 MSRP for each of the three Pure Wings 2 of the original 500 DX vs. $26,90 for each of the four Light Wings inside the 500 FX. That is a resulting price difference of $53,90. As such the price difference seems quite alright, considering you also get that PCB on top.

The Pure Base 500 series from be quiet! has always managed to impress with a solid build quality and some nice attention to detail. That still holds true today with the 500 FX as all parts feel sturdy, the glass panel is thick and the connective PCB for the front ARGB elements is still a fairly unique aspect we do not see very often. It also manages to be an air coolers dream case with lots of room thanks to its beefy width.

There are a few elements that be quiet! could have easily tweaked and improved over the year, but simply has not chosen to do. Longer, more elaborate Velcro strips or cleaner IO implementation are all things we have loved to see. The one visual achilles heel of the Pure Base 500 FX is certainly the fact that this case still employs thumb screws to hold the glass panel in place - that should simply not be a thing anymore in this day and age.

However, its saving grace are the four Light Wings fans, that should put the case on the map for ARGB enthusiasts. They are well built, quiet and look great. Thus receiving four of them, which work really well with the installed controller ensures that the be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX can be confidently recommended all things considered.