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0 Known for their premium, quiet cooling solutions, be quiet! has a reputation for making cases that not only look sleek but also perform exceptionally well. From my previous reviews of their Pure Base 500DX and Silent Base 802 PC cases I know this brand lives up to their great reputation. Recently I was sent the be quiet! Light Base 900 FX, a full-tower PC case that’s designed to blend aesthetics, functionality, and efficient cooling.
Keeping Cool and Quiet
The Light Base 900 FX is the latest iteration of their flagship series. Bringing new features and improvements, designed for users who demand space, expandability, and silence in their builds. In this review, we’ll delve into the design, hardware compatibility, ease of building, and overall performance to help you decide whether it’s the right choice for your next PC build.
Design
The be quiet! Light Base 900 FX PC case features a sleek black steel (also available in white) exterior and a tempered glass side panel that also wraps around the front. I really liked this aquarium-style case as it offers a glimpse into the internals. This case is definitely a good option for those who want their build to be both powerful and visually appealing. The mesh panel side, top and bottom, complete with filters, compliments the PC case to allow airflow for both the main cooling fans and the PSU.
Measuring in at 532mm x 326mm x 484mm (L x W x H), the Light Base 900 FX provides ample space for even the most demanding hardware configurations. Whether you’re planning to install large air coolers or liquid cooling systems, this case provides plenty of room for flexibility. It supports E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, so you have options for different form factors.
With clearance for up to a 420mm radiator at the top and bottom, a 360mm radiator at the side, and a 140mm radiator at the rear, the cooling options are extensive. Four Light Wings 140mm PWM fans are included with the case. You will be pleased to read that graphics cards can be upto 495mm long and there is an engineered holder included to prevent the card from sagging.
Engineering
For storage, the case supports up to two 3.5″ HDDs and six 2.5″ SSDs. Giving you plenty of options for all your storage needs. Cable management is also a strong point, with ample space behind the motherboard tray. Not to mention the well-placed cutouts for routing cables neatly and keeping airflow unobstructed. The hinged PSU shroud is another well-thought-out feature, providing a cleaner aesthetic and hiding the power supply from view, making for a more organized and visually appealing build.
The I/O header panel located on the front provides one USB 3.2 Gen. 2 type C port along with two USB 3.2 Type A ports and an HD Audio 3.5mm jack socket.
Inversion
The case has been designed to allow you to either have it vertical or horizontal thanks to the 4 twist-lock plastic feet that can be deployed onto the top, bottom and side panels respectively, inverting your rig in seconds. There is a caveat to this however as I did have issues with the feet, wherein a couple of them snapped when locking into position. While the rest of the case is of a solid, sturdy build, the feet did not appear to be of the same quality. In fact they are fairly brittle.
Lighting
Finally, no PC build is complete without some lighting. Well, be quiet! have integrated 3m of ARGB LED strip into the case that provides illumination to the 4 eye-catching lines that wrap around three sides of the case. An ARGB controller is included along with a button on the top I/O header for convenience too. We all know RGB makes us all game better, right?
Ease of Building
The Light Base 900 FX is designed with ease of installation in mind, and it lives up to that promise. The removable hard drive cages allow for flexible configuration, making it easy to fit large GPUs or other components. Talking about removable, the detachable radiator and fan brackets at the top and bottom of the case assisted greatly during the installation phase. This made building so much easier. I wish all cases let me put parts separately together like this rather than sliding the whole bracket into place.
Hidden Cabling
The cable management system is thoughtfully designed, with dedicated channels and that makes the process of tidying up cables simple and efficient. The motherboard tray is certainly spacious, making it suitable for high-end gaming builds. Needless to say, the process of installing all the relevant components was a doddle.
Easy Access
One of the standout features of the case is the installation of the tempered glass side panel. It uses a tool-less mechanism, meaning you can easily pop off the panel without the need for screws. I greatly appreciate this feature, as will others who frequently upgrade or change the internal components!
Performance
When it comes to performance, the be quiet! Light Base 900 FX really shines, especially in terms of airflow and noise levels. Cooling is a top priority in any PC case, and be quiet! certainly doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Fans
The case comes with four pre-installed be quiet! Light Wings 140mm fans—three down the front side, and one at the rear. These fans are designed to operate quietly while still providing decent airflow, even under heavy load. A shameless link to my previous article where I explore the Light Wings can be found here. The Light Wings fans are equipped with fluid-dynamic bearings. These provide quieter and smoother operation, resulting in reduced vibrations and improved longevity. I am 3 years on with the ones I previously reviewed and they are still going strong!
be quiet! fans enjoy being as silent as possible with the best airflow performance they can achieve. Therefore if you do upgrade to higher airflow fans or add more fans, you may sacrifice some of the lower dB’s in the process. The case supports up to ten 140mm or 120mm fans in total. Which in turn offers more than enough options to build a high-performance cooling system tailored to your needs.
In terms of airflow design, the Light Base 900 FX does a solid job. The mesh front panel is optimized for airflow, allowing cool air to enter the case and reach your components as well as vent warm air out. The top and bottom panel are also perforated.
Conclusion
Overall, the be quiet! Light Base 900 FX is a fantastic choice for users who prioritize silence and aesthetics without sacrificing hardware support or cooling potential. Whether you’re building a gaming PC or a high-performance workstation, this case is more than capable of handling the job. If you’re in the market for a spacious, quiet, and versatile case with excellent airflow, I really do recommend the be quiet! Light Base 900 FX.
The be quiet! Light Base 900 FX receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A sample was received in order to write this review.
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