When it comes to building or upgrading your PC, the first thing we think about is what kind of motherboard, processor, or graphics card we want. But one thing that gets overlooked is the case. There’s a variety of cases that will fit your PC requirements, but regardless of what you choose, you want one that will keep up with your rig, and most importantly, allow you to expand your components later down the road.
German brand Be Quiet! produces high-quality premium cases for PCs. They do this because they know that a well-built PC starts with a well-built case. But their goal is not only to provide you with a case that stands up structurally but also produces a low amount of noise. For the last few weeks, we’ve been using their Dark Base Pro 900 rev. 2 case, which is their premium case in their line of products. But will this case be able to live up to its namesake?
The Dark Base Pro 900 rev.2 is a full tower case that measures around 22in x 9in x 23in and weighs close to 15-pounds, and that’s before any of your components are installed. The case is constructed from thick aluminum panels and frames which will give it strength and durability, which you can really feel when you’re holding or carrying it. This means that any accidental kicks, bumps, or hits won’t really dent or compromise the case and everything that’s inside.
The case is painted in all black that is highlighted with orange trim, taking the case from a boring look and feel, and gives it a bit of showmanship. Now the one notable part that makes the Pro 900 rev.2 really shine is its tempered glass panel. This makes the case truly stand out while at the same time allowing you to see everything that’s inside. When paired with the included LED strips, you now have a PC rig that will be the centerpiece in either your home or office.
Unlike most cases, the Pro 900 rev.2 is completely modular, meaning that it can adapt to better fit your requirements. The motherboard tray is relocatable and will let you adjust it to three different heights or install it alongside the left panel. When switching from my previous case to the Pro 900 rev.2, I opted to switch the motherboard to the left side, as this fits my current desk setup. But making this switch was not an easy task for me.
If you’re not familiar with how cases are built and constructed, then taking advantage of this modularity can be a real challenge for some people. Fortunately, Be Quiet! does include instructions to make it easy for you. But in my experience taking on this challenge, I found that the included booklet with the instructions didn’t lay out the task in a very clear manner. Thankfully, the Be Quiet! YouTube page has a video to walk you along with the deconstruction and construction of the case.
As easy as it might sound, switching the motherboard tray to the left side will require that you break down the case to its basic frame because you’ll have to invert everything alongside the motherboard. It took me a couple of hours to do, as this was my first time, but in the end, I was happy with the result. And if I were to make the switch back to the right side, I’m confident enough that it won’t take me as long as the first time.
Out of the box, the case will include 3 pre-installed “Silent Wings 3” 140mm PWM fans. These fans feature a smooth running six-pole motor, durable fluid-dynamic bearing, and a blade-design to maximize airflow. All these features combined allow the fans to operate with a reduced audible level.
Due to its size, this case will be able to fit E-ATX, XL-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards. It can operate up to eight PWM fans that will let you create two different cooling zones. You can also switch your fans to either run in a silent or performance mode. It has an ATX PS/2 PSU form factor, as well as front I/O ports that include USB 3.1 Type C gen 2, USB 3.0, HD Audio I/O, and a Qi charging panel. The case can also support up to 5 HDDs, 10 SSDs, and 2 optical drives.
Final Reaction
It’s not an everyday occurrence that we build or upgrade our PC units. But if or when you do, really considering a solid case can make a huge difference. Without a shell, your PC would be nothing, it’s literally the foundation of your computer. The Dark Base Pro 900 rev.2 case from Be Quiet! is a solid foundation that can get you going in the right direction. It’s solidly built to give you strength, protection, and durability. Its modular function allows it to fit your setup needs and the three pre-installed fans, which can be expanded to eight, maximizes airflow to keep your computer running at its optimal performance. Assembling the cases to have a motherboard that sits on the left can be an overwhelming task, but once you get through it and everything rebuilt, you’ll be left with a case that’s ready to fit all your components.
Score 4.5/5 Atoms
*Nerd Reactor received the Dark Base 900 Pro Rev.2 from Be Quiet for review purposes
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