We’ve had about 20 years of amazing products from be quiet! and while they started with simple things like noise-dampening mats, they’ve continued to deliver on their promise of creating high-end, high-quality and most obviously, acoustically superior products. Amazingly, it’s been nearly 10 years since the release of the Silent Base 800, which I fondly remember reviewing when it came out (I’ve been doing this for a long time it seems). They’ve been going from strength to strength with their cases, and now they have a new flagship mode with the Dark Base Pro 901, that sees the improvement and evolution of their most popular features, but has it worked? Well, let’s dive in and take a closer look!
They’ve gone all out on this one, that’s for sure! While the old model had a reversible and removable motherboard tray, it’s now said to be a much easier process than before on the 901. The top and front panels are now interchangeable, the fan and radiator brackets are removable and have built-in cable connectors (more on that later), and there’s room for modern high-end gaming hardware such as the RTX 4090, and even massive radiators up to 420mm. It’s all very impressive, and there are MANY more features to get into, but while I normally save price to the end of a review, let’s just get it out of the way right now, it’s £319.99. If you can suffer that, read on, if not, I can understand why you may run away scared before moving on.
Key Features
Interchangeable top cover and front panel for either maximum airflow or virtually inaudible operation
Fan and radiator brackets with integrated fan hub in front and top make installation a breeze
3 Silent Wings 4 PWM fans for a virtually inaudible operation and high performance
Touch-sensitive I/O panel for state-of-the-art operation
Generous dimensions ensure operation of E-ATX motherboards and radiators up to 420mm
Well-conceived system for an extremely user-friendly handling
Flexible motherboard tray for an inverted layout
Subtle ARGB lighting in the front and the PSU Shroud
What be quiet! Had to Say
“Dark Base Pro 901 is the climax: The case’s maximum versatility and performance is rounded up by new characteristics that have never been featured in a be quiet! case before.” – Aaron Licht, Chief Executive Officer
Tell me More!
Interchangeable Top and Front: Whether you prefer a virtually inaudible or an extremely performant case: Dark Base Pro 901 is the perfect choice. Dark Base Pro 901 features a silence-oriented and performance-optimised solution for the top and the front. All panels are included, and user-friendly mounting makes switching a breeze.
Maximum Usability: Dark Base Pro 901 offers all functions enthusiasts could wish for in a high-end case. Among them is a detachable top and front bracket with included fan hub and pogo pin connector for a comfortable installation of radiators and fans. Even an inverted layout can be done easily thanks to an intuitive rail system. Numerous cleverly integrated solutions make handling extremely easy. Dark Base Pro 901 can be deployed without the hassle of additional screws and small parts, creating the optimal case for any build.
Silent Wings 4 PWM Fans: Features like the silence-optimised fan blades and the funnel-shaped fan frame make Silent Wings 4 140mm a fan that makes no compromises between virtually inaudible operation and high performance. Its extraordinary air pressure significantly increases the cooling performance of Dark Base Pro 901.
Think Big: With its remarkably large dimensions, Dark Base Pro 901 sets no limits on creativity. The front can fit a radiator of up to 420mm and additional fans can be installed throughout the case, even on the side panel.
Flexible VGA Holder and Cable Bars: The VGA holder of Dark Base Pro 901 is very versatile and prevents GPU sag even with heavy graphics cards. 2 cable bars, one located inside the VGA holder and the other next to the motherboard tray, hide the cables inside the case. No matter how big or numerous the components built in Dark Base Pro 901 may be; with such clever features, the result always makes a good impression.
ARGB Lighting: Dark Base Pro 901 features ARGB lighting on the front and the PSU shroud: The lit-up areas are chosen consciously to ensure the case remains elegant with subtle illumination. The light and fan settings can be conveniently controlled via touch-sensitive buttons on the I/O panel. A wireless charger for Qi-enabled devices perfectly rounds up Dark Base Pro 901.
Tempered Glass Window: The high-quality, fully-windowed side panel offers a perfect view of the components inside your case. The window is made of tinted and tempered glass with black painted edges.
For even more specifications, please visit the official product page here.
As a child still in my 30's (but not for long), I spend my day combining my love of music and movies with a life-long passion for gaming, from arcade classics and retro consoles to the latest high-end PC and console games. So it's no wonder I write about tech and test the latest hardware while I enjoy my hobbies!