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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe be quiet! Silent Base 601 is a noise-dampened mid-tower best suited to a PC that values restrained acoustics and a subdued design over maximum airflow. Tom’s Hardware measured very low noise at idle in its 2018 test, but found weaker thermal performance and higher noise under load. Treat those results as evidence about that test setup, not a guarantee for every build. The 601 comes in solid-side and tempered-glass versions, so confirm the exact model and current local price before buying.
What the Silent Base 601 is designed to do
be quiet! builds the 601 around acoustic damping. The front, top, and side panels have 10 mm insulation mats, and the case’s vents are shaped to route intake air while reducing airborne noise. The PSU bracket and HDD cages are vibration-isolated. These are design features, not proof that every component configuration will be quiet.
The manufacturer lists two preinstalled 140 mm Pure Wings 2 fans and an integrated three-step controller that supports up to three fans. That gives a builder a basic way to choose between lower fan speed and more cooling, but it does not establish how a particular system will perform under sustained load.
What Tom’s Hardware found in its test
Steven Lynch’s Tom’s Hardware review, published September 28, 2018, praised quiet idle and everyday desktop use, along with dust filtration, build quality, and room for large components. Its measurements showed a sharper trade-off once the system was under load:
#1 Best Overall
- VERSATILITY: Highly versatile design, offering repositionable HDD slots and a removable ODD cage for customization.
- QUIET PERFORMANCE: Equipped with 2 pre-installed be quiet! Pure Wings 2 fans, ensuring whisper-quiet operation and efficient airflow.
- COOLING READY: Ready for water cooling with support for radiators up to 360mm on the front, top, and rear, ensuring optimal cooling performance.
- ADJUSTABLE TOP COVER: Comes with an adjustable top cover vent, providing enhanced cooling options and a dedicated mounting location for a radiator.
- WARRANTY: Backed by a 3-year manufacturer's warranty, offering peace of mind and assurance of quality.
| Test condition | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Idle, controller on low (500 rpm) | 28.7 dBA, measured by Tom’s Hardware in its 2018 test |
| Under load, controller on low | 32.5 dBA, measured by Tom’s Hardware in its 2018 test |
| Under load, controller on high (reported as 1,000 rpm) | About 1 dBA louder than the low setting in Tom’s Hardware’s test; the idle reading did not change |
Tom’s Hardware described the case as the quietest among its comparison cases at idle, but middle-of-the-pack for sound under load. It also listed poor thermal performance under load, higher-than-expected load acoustics, and the lack of USB Type-C as drawbacks. Those are historical comparisons from the review’s test bench; they are not a current head-to-head ranking or a prediction for a different system.
Will your components fit?
The manufacturer’s black and windowed product pages list support for E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards. The windowed model’s listed dimensions are 553 × 245 × 502 mm, including stands. Official specifications give up to 185 mm for a CPU cooler and up to 288 mm for a power supply.
Rank #2
- Interchangeable top cover and front panel for either maximum airflow or silent operation
- Three Pure Wings 2 140mm fans
- Extra thick insulation mats for improved noise reduction
- State-of-the-art I/O-panel with fan controller and USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C
- Decoupled motherboard tray can be relocated for an inverted layout
Graphics-card clearance depends on the HDD cage: the manufacturer lists up to 449 mm with the cage removed. Check the exact manual and configuration before buying, especially if a long GPU and multiple storage drives are both part of the plan.
Storage capacity
The manufacturer lists three included 3.5-inch drive positions, expandable to a maximum of seven, and six included 2.5-inch positions, expandable to a maximum of 14. The maximum counts are not the same as the included positions; confirm which additional cages or accessories are compatible with the exact version you are considering.
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Rank #3
- Streamlined Design and Quiet Operation: Pure Base 501 is crafted for users who appreciate a minimalistic design with effective noise reduction, optimized for quiet functionality.
- Enhanced Cooling Potential: Includes a Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM fan with airflow-optimized blades to reduce turbulence and noise, supporting demanding builds with up to three front fans or a 360mm radiator and up to three top fans or a 240mm radiator.
- Flexible GPU Installation: Offers space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers, with PCIe slots that rotate 90° for vertical GPU mounting, supported by an optional riser cable to prevent GPU sag.
- Efficient Layout and Connectivity: Compact yet spacious, the Pure Base 501 provides smart cable management and front I/O ports with USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C and dual Type A for fast and convenient access.
- German Design I German Engineering I German Quality I German Performance
Radiators and airflow: placement matters
be quiet! lists radiator support up to 360 mm at the front, top, and rear, and describes a removable top radiator bracket. That nominal support does not mean every radiator, fan, motherboard, and memory combination will fit without interference.
Tom’s Hardware noted 39 mm of clearance above the motherboard and cautioned that limited airflow at the top makes that position less suitable for a dual- or triple-fan radiator setup. If choosing a large top-mounted cooler, check its thickness and the radiator-and-fan stack against the motherboard and memory clearances in the current manual.
Rank #4
- Streamlined Design and Quiet Operation: Pure Base 501 is crafted for users who appreciate a minimalistic design with effective noise reduction, optimized for quiet functionality.
- Enhanced Cooling Potential: Includes a Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM fan with airflow-optimized blades to reduce turbulence and noise, supporting demanding builds with up to three front fans or a 360mm radiator and up to three top fans or a 240mm radiator.
- Flexible GPU Installation: Offers space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers, with PCIe slots that rotate 90° for vertical GPU mounting, supported by an optional riser cable to prevent GPU sag.
- Efficient Layout and Connectivity: Compact yet spacious, the Pure Base 501 provides smart cable management and front I/O ports with USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C and dual Type A for fast and convenient access.
- German Design I German Engineering I German Quality I German Performance
Adding compatible 120 mm or 140 mm fans may be an option after checking mounting positions and clearances, but the available evidence does not show that extra fans eliminate the case’s load-related thermal weakness. For a system that spends long periods under heavy CPU or GPU load, weigh airflow and cooling needs more heavily than the low idle reading.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the right panel version and check the front I/O
The Silent Base 601 family includes a solid-side-panel model and a tempered-glass model. The solid version prioritizes a uniform, closed appearance; the glass version lets you see the components. Check the specific product listing rather than assuming a feature or measurement applies identically to every configuration.
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- Without any distractions, Pure Base 501 is reduced to excel at its core functions and is aimed at users that appreciate an unagitated presentation.
- With optimization for maximum airflow, Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM is the perfect choice for Pure Base 501. Its 7 airflow-optimized fan blades not only reduce noise-generating turbulences but also ensure Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM provides the performance that is needed for demanding configurations.
- Despite its compact dimensions, Pure Base 501 offers enough space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers. Triple fans or a radiator up to 360mm can be installed easily at the front, while top area provides space for up to 3 fans or a radiator up to 240mm.
- Why not try something else with your GPU? The PCIe slots of the Pure Base 501 can be rotated 90° for an upright installation of wide high-end graphics cards. The spacing is perfect for the optional be quiet! Riser Cable, whose foam base provides excellent anti-sag support for graphics cards in vertical orientation.
- As a compact PC case, Pure Base 501 optimally uses the offered space. Thanks to cleverly integrated cable routing options, it makes cable management a breeze.
Tom’s Hardware listed no USB Type-C as a drawback of the reviewed case. If front USB-C is important for your desk setup, confirm the exact model’s front I/O before purchase rather than assuming it has that port.
Is the Silent Base 601 worth buying?
Consider the be quiet! Silent Base 601 if your priority is a subdued-looking build with acoustic damping, included 140 mm fans, and useful component and storage capacity—and if the parts you choose fit the case. Its strongest independent result is low idle noise in Tom’s Hardware’s 2018 test. The same review found less persuasive behavior under load, so a high-heat, sustained-load PC is a less obvious match.
There is no current price, stock check, or recent comparison with competing cases established here. Before committing, compare the exact solid or glass-panel version available locally against current alternatives using like-for-like cooling and noise tests, as well as GPU clearance, radiator location, storage needs, and front I/O.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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