The be quiet! Light Base 500 LX is the latest iteration of the popular Light Base series from the company. Taking the best elements of its predecessor, the Light Base 900 FX, and condensing them all into a more compact form factor, the Light Base 500 LX offers a unique take on the Light Base design. From an updated chassis to a smaller overall footprint, there is a lot to like about the 500 LX.
While a base version of the Light Base 500 is available with a single Light Wings LX 120 mm PWM exhaust fan, be quiet! provided the 500 LX for review. This version includes three additional Light Wings LX Reverse 120 mm PWM fans configured for side intake. The be quiet! Light Base 500 LX also features a revised design with angled fan positioning, resulting in more direct airflow toward the GPU and improved overall cooling performance. As noted in my 900 FX review, the Light Wings LX fans remain among the quietest and most efficient I have used.
The Light Base 500 LX also includes a lower fan bay that supports up to three additional 120 mm fans, allowing users to further optimize intake and exhaust. Completing the airflow layout is supported at the top of the case for a 360 mm all-in-one liquid cooler. Overall, the design maximizes airflow potential, though there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
If you plan to install a top-mounted 360 mm AIO, it is important to confirm the radiator’s exact dimensions before installation. Due to the case’s compact footprint, measuring 432 by 305 by 436 millimetres, I encountered an issue when installing an NZXT Kraken Elite V2 360, which measures 401 millimetres in length. While the radiator fits tightly into position, the preinstalled exhaust fan becomes wedged between the radiator and the rear panel of the case.
The tension exerted on the AIO can cause the fans to rub against their outerwall. The quick solution is to simply drop the exhaust fan down, and thanks to the honeycomb exhaust grating on the back panel, the fan can easily be adjusted. It’s not designed for this, but it can easily accommodate it. It is also worth noting that the Kraken is a rather long 360mm AIO. According to the official site, the 500 LX pairs easily with the be quiet! Light Loop 360 without issue.
“The be quiet! Light Base 500 LX also features a revised design with angled fan positioning, resulting in more direct airflow toward the GPU and improved overall cooling performance.”
As for the rest of the design, the dual chamber setup is a bit tighter overall, but well thought out and allows for easy install and swapping of the PSU location, accommodating backside connector motherboard installs. A removable bracket makes the PSU repositioning possible and doubles as a drive mount for both 2 SSDs and 1 HDD at the same time.
This bracket also houses the 500 LX onboard ARGB hub that supports up to 6 ARGB and PWM fans. While offering an overall smaller form factor, I was still easily able to mount the be quiet! Straight Power 12 1500W PSU into place without issue. It’s a smart design and allows for easier cable management in a more compact form factor.
Perhaps one of the most welcome changes is the elimination of screws for panel and glass removal. All sides, top and bottom of the 500 LX can easily be removed tool-free, allowing for quick and easy access to the various elements of the case. More impressive still is the side fan rack that can be slid out through an opening in the top of the case. This makes it incredibly easy to swap fans without trying to get your hands and a screwdriver into tight spaces.
As for the backplane, like the 900 FX and 600 LX, the 500 LX offers mounting for ATX / M-ATX and mini-ATX, providing builders with plenty of options for motherboard installation. There are lots of spaces to run cable in and around the motherboard, making cable routing fairly easy to contend with. I was a bit disappointed to not see silicon covers over the cable entry points, as it does provide a slightly cleaner look overall, but functionally, I do appreciate how much cable access there is.
The only missing feature with the new 500 LX that is present on other models is the ability to swap orientation. Unlike both the 900 FX and 600 LX, the Light Base 500 LX cannot become an inverse or side-lying case. I was a little surprised by this design choice, but I assume that this is due to the new retractable fan rack mentioned earlier. Regardless, this latest iteration is a sharp-looking case.
The Light Base 500 LX is a welcome update to the Light Base Series. With the new angled side fan rack and more compact form factor, there really is a lot to like about be quiet!’s latest entry into the series. Its more budget-conscious price point is also welcome, providing builders with a sharp and smart-looking case without breaking the budget. If you are in the market for a compact dual-chamber case, the Light Base 500 LX is worth considering.
- The angled fan frame in the side is not only a testament to elegance and functionality but also directs more air towards the GPU – a part that traditionally requires a lot of it. It provides a neat cutout that works as an efficient air intake. For an easy installation of fans, it slides out to the top. Cable management is easier than ever before with a channel that hides your equipment elegantly. If you install additional fans in the bottom, they line up perfectly with the case floor due to a lowered fan bay.
- Light Base 500 LX White features 4 preinstalled Light Wings LX fans. The rear fan is a Light Wings LX 120mm, the fans on the side are Light Wings LX 120mm PWM fans with reversed fan blades. All fans feature 16 LEDs inside their hub of the impeller, making for an unmistakable ARGB illumination. The reversed fan blades make sure that their pretty side is always visible.
