I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed using the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901. As someone who builds PCs regularly, I’ve found that I have much less patience for cases that don’t live up to their promise. be quiet! has been making exceptional PC cases for many years, but they have outdone themselves with the new Dark Base Pro 901. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with their latest offering, and after extensive testing, it’s clear that this is one of the most sophisticated and versatile cases ever made.
My first thought upon unboxing the Dark Base Pro 901 was how substantial this case feels. Constructed of thick aluminum panels wrapped around a steel frame, it has a considerable heft that speaks to its solid build quality. I also appreciated the cloth bag that covers the case during shipping, an attention to detail that most brands overlook.
Of course, style is subjective, but I’m a big fan of the understated, business-like aesthetic that oozes quality. The Dark Base Pro’s clean lines and lack of flashy RGB lighting give it an appealing sophistication you won’t find in many gaming-focused cases. The tempered glass side panel provides the perfect contrast between the sleek exterior and the high-end hardware inside.
While I enjoy the look of many top-of-the-line cases, a true premium case needs to make system building as easy as possible and be quiet!’s design delivers. I had a few gripes with their previous offering, finding it a bit over-engineered at times, making small tasks like swapping out the PSU a hassle. Fortunately, be quiet! seems to have taken note and improved on all of my previous issues, delivering one of the most well-thought-out cases I have ever used. Toolless drive bays, captive thumbscrews on the back panel, and smart cable routing options show that they have gone the extra mile.
“I can’t believe how much thought and care be quiet! put into every aspect of the Dark Base Pro 901.”
I can’t believe how much thought and care be quiet! put into every aspect of the Dark Base Pro 901. It was a breeze to get everything installed, and it had ample space for every component you could ever want. From massive GPUs to the ability to fit even the largest motherboard, this is the case you buy if you want a computer that is as versatile as possible and ready to take on anything. Swapping out parts is easy, too, thanks to the modular drive cages and PSU cover. be quiet! even includes a fan hub and RGB lighting controller for seamless component integration.
With support for multiple large coolers, a total of 18 fan mounts, and space for high-end equipment, the Dark Base Pro 901 is built to handle serious cooling needs. My test system currently houses our Intel test rig with an i9-14900K CPU and RTX 4080 GPU, and it all runs remarkably cool and quiet thanks to the Pro 901’s thermal design. The ability to install any AIO cooler I feel the need for means there is plenty of room should I ever want to overclock our systems or just add a little extra cooling to ensure the system can handle anything.
The three included Silent Wings 140mm fans are whisper-quiet while still moving plenty of air. Between the soundproofed steel panels, decoupled glass, and insulated interior, this case dramatically reduces noise. The Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler and 850W Straight Power 11 PSU I paired it with made for an exceptionally quiet rig, even under load. Even though the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 is massive, and we filled it with the highest quality components we had, I never once worried that there would be a thermal issue or that the case would be a bottleneck to getting the most performance out of it.
“Beyond the solid construction and ample space, the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 PC Case is packed with clever features that make it a joy to use.”
Beyond the solid construction and ample space, the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 PC Case is packed with clever features that make it a joy to use. The integrated 15W Qi wireless phone charger is wonderfully convenient, and the capacitive touch panel on the top allows easy control of lighting and fan speeds. The swing-out side panel gives you quick access to ports, and modular drive bays let you optimize the layout based on your particular hardware setup. Filtered air vents, Velcro cable anchors, and a slide-out PSU cover demonstrate how be quiet! has sweated the small details that make a big difference in usability.
Priced at $299, the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 commands a premium, but it delivers where it matters most. This case has more high-end features and overall refinement than anything else I’ve tested this year or in recent memory. The build quality, cooling potential, smart design, and sheer versatility make the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 an exceptional choice for a top-tier gaming rig or workstation build.
While it is honestly overkill for basic systems, hardware enthusiasts with complex liquid cooling setups will find the Dark Base Pro 901 a dream to work with.
