CONCLUSION

    Unlike what was just unveiled in this year’s Computex by be quiet! The Dark Base 701 is not a PC case meant to attract eyes but rather an elegant model which you can even place in your office without it standing out. It’s got plenty of interior space, build quality is very good as expected, the front and bottom removable air filters do a very good job (top one would be nice too) and even though noise levels are just a tad higher than expected this is due to the fact that the Dark Base 701 is aimed towards consumers who could use the extra airflow levels from both its front and top full mesh panels. Recently be quiet! also announced a white variant of the Dark Base 701 so if black is not for you then white could be it.

    Currently the Dark Base 701 Midi-Tower by be quiet! retails for USD229.89 inside the USA (Newegg.com) and for 203.52Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is slightly over what I was expecting. Overall the Dark Base 701 might not be the prettiest midi-tower out there and it’s certainly not the largest but it does deliver as advertised and for that it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Tempered Glass Side Panel (Full)
- Two ARGB LED Strips (Front)
- Interior Space For 185mm Tall CPU Coolers, 250mm Long PSUs, 430mm Long Graphics Cards & Three 240/280/360mm Radiators
- Three Pre Installed Silent Wings 140mm PWM Fans (1900RPM)
- Airflow Levels (Front/Top Full Mesh)
- Rotatable Motherboard Tray & PCIe Slots
- Fan Speed/ARGB Hub
- Removable Air Filters (front/bottom)
- Available In Black & White Colors

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Higher Noise Levels Than Expected