be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 Review - an Unrivalled Modular Case
By daire-July 24, 2017
1. Overview
be quiet! is a German company who manufacture power supplies, CPU coolers and quiet fans. They are relatively new to the PC case scene but received a great response with their launch of the SilentBase 800. 6 months later they also released the SilentBase 600. Both cases successfully create a balance between a very neat component cooling and a low noise level. Naturally, both the Dark Base 900 and the Dark Base Pro 900 are designed around the same concept. Both cases include many noise-reducing measures and a fully modular concept. The Dark Base 900 flagship model raises the bar both in design, noise-level and the functionality of the fully reversible and height-adjustable interior. [caption id="attachment_15944" align="alignnone" width="576"]
Dark Base Pro 900[/caption]
2. Design
The Dark Base Pro 900 is the top model in the second generation of Be Quiet chassis. It takes over the flagship position from the first model, Silent Base 800, but comes with lots of new features. This model comes in two versions, the price difference between the basic model and the Pro is down to the tempered glass side panel, the Qi wireless charger for mobile devices, the fan controller With 8 ports as well as the two RGB LED bundles delivered in the package. As with previous models, there is a selection of three colours: orange, silver and black. The chosen colour will influence the theme of the system both inside and out, including the power button illumination. The construction is largely made up of black anodised aluminium. Both the ceiling panel, the front panel and one side panel have brushed metal surfaces. The other side panel, instead, consists entirely of a 4mm thick sheet of tempered glass, with a slightly dark tint. Both the front panel, the ceiling panel and the metal clad side panel are equipped with a layer of silencing material. According to be quiet!, the glass window is also surface-treated for silencing effect. To provide additional control over the noise level, there is a built-in fan controller mounted on the back of the motherboard plate. You get four 3-pin fan inputs and as many PWM fan inputs. These are then controlled by a slider behind the chassis door in the front. In the same place, there is a click lever to turn on and off the supplied LED loops. The LED strips are not pre-installed which is good news for those who prefer not to have additional lighting in the case. [caption id="attachment_15945" align="alignnone" width="696"]
Dark Base Pro 900 Front IO Panel[/caption]
At the front of the top cover is a surface with a built-in Qi charging station. This means that if you have a mobile phone with wireless charge support can charge the battery by placing the phone on top of the computer. This is a great feature for gamers who like to keep their phone close and it means one less cable to get in the way.
3. Specifications and Features
| General | |
|---|---|
| Motherboard compatibility | E-ATX, XL-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, MINI-ITX |
| Form factor PSU | ATX |
| Case size | (L x W x H in mm) 577 x 243 x 585 |
| Material | 0.8 - 1mm steel, ABS plastic, 0.8mm aluminium, 4mm tempered glass window |
| Weight inc. package / without package (kg) | 16.5 / 14.4 |
| I/O Panel | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, HD Audio (mic + headphone jacks) |
| Expansion slots (pcs.) | 8 |
| Wireless charging (Qi) | Y |
| RGD LED illumination | Y |
| Drive Bay Capacity | |
| 5.25 | 2 (removable) |
| 3.5 | 7 (individually removable) |
| 2.5 | 1 on motherboard tray 14 inside the HDD slots (removable) |
| Cooling System | |
| Pre-installed SilentWings® 3 PWM fans (mm/rpm) | Front: 2x 140 / 1,000, Rear: 1x 140 / 1,000 |
| Optional fans (mm) | Top: 3x 140 / 4x 120 / 1x 180, Front: 1x 140, 120 (w/o ODD cage), Bottom: 2x 140, 120 |
| Optional liquid cooling system, (radiator in mm) | Top: 120, 140, 180*, 240, 280, 360, 420 Front: 120, 140, 240, 280, 360, 420, Rear: 120, 140 Bottom: 120, 140, 280 |
| Cooling solutions | Air channels (top, front, side), Advanced PWM hub and manual fan, controller (4x PWM, 4x 3-pin |
| Maximum Dimensions (mm) | |
| CPU cooler | 185 |
| PSU (without bottom fan) | 150 - 184 |
| Graphics card (standard) | 325 |
| Graphics card (w/o HDD slots) | 470 |
| Insulation and Damping | |
| Sound insulation mats (top, front, side) | Yes |
| Anti-vibration decoupled HDD / PSU / MB-tray | Yes |
