Be Quiet’s Light Base 900 DX looks good and can be customized with three different layouts.
Pros
+
Three different layout options
+
Pre-installed ARGB & PWM hubs
+
Supports back-connector motherboards
Cons
-
Dust filters aren’t easily removable
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The latest fishbowl-style PC case on our test bench is Be Quiet’s Light Base 900 DX, a chassis that supports three layout configurations. It also features ARGB lighting strips along the side, back-connect motherboard support, and includes two pre-installed ARGB and PWM hardware hubs. In many ways, the Light Base 900 DX is simply a larger version of the Light Base 600 LX. The other difference is the DX model we’re looking at today doesn’t come with pre-installed fans, so we’ll be testing the case with a standardized set of fans.
Will the Light Base 900 DX make our list of best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications of the case, straight from Be Quiet, then we’ll go over the features and wrap up our review with thermal testing.
Specifications
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Motherboard Support
ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX
Color
Black or White
Type
Fishbowl
Case Dimensions
5000mm (L) x 465mm (H) x 327mm (W) (19.7 x 18.3 x 12.9 inches)
2.5-inch Drive Support
4x 2.5-inch drives supported as configured (six max)
3.5-inch Drive Support
One drive supported as configured (two max)
PCI-E Expansion Slots
7
Fan Support
Up to 10
Pre-Installed fans
None
CPU Cooler Clearance
190mm (7.5 inches)
GPU Clearance
400mm (15.75 inches)
PSU Length
Unlisted
Radiator Support
Up to 2x 420mm or 3x 360mm
MSRP
$179.90 USD
Features of Be Quiet’s Light Base 900 DX Computer Case
As this is a Be Quiet case, one thing you can be assured about is the quality of the construction. The build quality is strong and sturdy, with no readily apparent weaknesses.
▶ Side view and customization options
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
When looking inside the case in its default configuration, you might notice the motherboard tray has more holes than normal – that’s to support back connect motherboards like MSI’s Project Zero. There are four openings with rubber covers for cable management. You might also notice the integrated GPU support bracket sitting next to the cable management openings. This is becoming pretty common, but it’s still nice to see here.
▶ Radiator and fan support
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
This case can be equipped with up to 10 fans. There’s support for one exhaust fan, and up to 9 fans from the top, side, or bottom of the unit. 360mm radiators can be installed at the top, front, or side of the unit. However, 420mm radiators can only be installed at the top and bottom of the case.
▶ Dust filters
There are dust filters built into the top, side, and bottom of the unit. However, cleaning them will be a minor pain because it requires disassembly of the unit – they aren’t easily removable.
▶ Front view
Like other fishbowl designs, most of the front of the case is see-through glass, but you also have the IO panel in the center, flanked by three ARGB lighting stripes.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
▶ IO Panel
Starting from the top (or left if configured horizontally) the first button allows a user to quickly change the ARGB settings of any devices connected to the pre-installed ARGB/PWM hubs. Next up is a USB-C port, followed by 2 USB-A ports, flanking the power button. Lastly there are audio and microphone jacks at the bottom.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
▶ Rear side view, Hardware ARGB and PWM fan hub, storage, and cable management features
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The default view shown above obscures most cables. You’ll have to swing open the middle plate to see them, and they can be organized with velcro straps behind the middle plate, which also supports two 2.5-inch drives.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
You can also install two additional 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives in the drive bay located in the bottom-right corner.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Pre-installed on the top and bottom of the case are two hardware hubs, each supporting up to six PWM fans and six ARGB lighting connections (for a total of up to 12 devices). Lighting settings can be adjusted on the fly by pressing a button on the IO panel.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
▶ Rear view
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
▶ Bottom View (Default configuration) and Three Layout Options
At the bottom of the case, you have your ventilation slots and four removable feet.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The feet are removable to support one of this case’s most interesting features:support for three different layout configurations, as shown below.
Image Source: Be Quiet
(Image credit: Be Quiet)
▶ Included GPU holder
There is also an included adjustable GPU support with this case, which comes in handy to combat GPU sag.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Thermal Tests, Test Setup, and testing methodology
Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered – and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not – and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.
Today’s case can be configured in multiple configurations. The thermal results below were taken from the case’s default configuration, as shown in the photo below. Thermal performance may vary if configured in another orientation.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
These thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered – and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not – and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.
Today’s case lacks pre-installed fans, so I’ve set up the cases shown in the benchmarks below with the same set of standardized fans. The ways I’ve tested the cases are as follows:
A “worst case scenario” stress test with a full load on the CPU and the GPU.
A “heavy gaming scenario” stress test with a full load on the GPU and partial load on the CPU
A CPU-only stress test, measuring the CPU and VRM thermals
I think I must have been one of the first to purchase this case. I have to disagree with some of the review above as there are some serious issues with the case.
First, the little feet that are movable are built from plastic. They have a little tab that goes in a grove with a cutout. This tab is very easy to break. My case came with a broken tab and I broke another one trying to reverse case layout. Be Quiet gave me a hard time about them and never would replace them when I asked. They may cost what....a penny? I had a friend 3D print me some better ones.
Two, the cables from the front panel stretch across the side vent and cannot be moved. They obstruct airflow if you put fans or a AIO there....in my case from the video card.
Three, you have to removed the SSD cage if you want to tuck and hide any cables behind the motherboard. Otherwise there is little room for cable management.
Four, yes, the intake filters are a PIA to remove for cleaning. I ended up just taking mine out as it was a major ordeal to clean them.
I never have been able to make the case ARGB headers talk to my motherboard to control the fan speed or RGB colors. I ended up just powering the fans from the motherboard headers and skipping the case controllers.
Be Quiet customer service was non existant. They finally responded about the broken feet and wanted me to return the case for a new one......really...after I spent hours setting it up? Pay all that shipping for two cents worth of plastic?
It is a nice looking case but it will be the last one I buy from Be Quiet due to the atrocious customer service.
Be Quiet customer service was non existant. They finally responded about the broken feet and wanted me to return the case for a new one......really...after I spent hours setting it up? Pay all that shipping for two cents worth of plastic?
It is a nice looking case but it will be the last one I buy from Be Quiet due to the atrocious customer service.
I'm sorry that you had a poor customer service experience. I'll keep your feedback in mind, thank you.
I may have to buy this case. It looks really good!
To be quite honest: When it comes to computer cases most people should care more about looks, supported features, and noise levels instead of thermal performance.
