Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 Review

Performance Analysis

Be Quiet! has done a very good job of balancing noise and performance with this case. In the most optimum state (roof panel extended, drive cages removed, and fans at full speed), the case achieves cooling results that are very respectable given the low noise output. The Pure Wings 2 fans are certainly worthy of being called quiet, as even at full speed they're difficult to pick out over other hardware. The CPU result of 51°C is right up there with some of the better cases, while the GPU result of 48°C is only 2°C off the best we've seen.


Closing the case up and putting the drive cages back in doesn't affect the GPU, suggesting that airflow from the front fan is adequate in spite of the mostly solid front panel. However, the CPU increases by 4°C – that's not surprising, however, as a completely closed roof is often a recipe for a warm CPU. That said, 55°C still isn't a bad result. Medium speed only sees temperatures increase by 1°C, while low speed sees things warm up to temperatures that are a little less comfortable. In short, we'd be happy using the low speed setting 24/7 with stock speed hardware but would feel better using medium or high speed when overclocking.

The case also did a good job of containing noise. Our graphics card was still easy to hear, but it always is, and it definitely wasn't as loud as it is with most cases.

Conclusion

The Pure Base 600 is a solid chassis in most regards. It hasn't blown us away, but equally there aren't many places where we can truly fault it, and we can definitely see it appealing to those for whom low noise is a priority.


The design of that central roof section really irks us, but it's unlikely to be something you'll need to work with repeatedly. A PSU cover would have been nice, and the cable routing and water-cooling support (for custom loops) could be improved, but on both fronts that case is still adequate for what it costs. The flexible interior means a wide variety of setups is supported, and hardware is easy to install.

What really tips the case over into award territory, however, is the balance struck between noise and performance. It's good to see Be Quiet! living up to its name with a number of little touches designed specifically to limit noise, but also giving users a number of ways of boosting airflow and performance. The thermal results show a good spread, indicating that the fan control and ventilation options do help you balance noise and performance to the degree that suits you, and the good thing is that even the best result doesn't result in intolerable noise output.