Tom's Hardware Verdict
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
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
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
▶ Build Quality
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
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
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.
▶ 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.
▶ Rear side view, Hardware ARGB and PWM fan hub, storage, and cable management features
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.
You can also install two additional 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives in the drive bay located in the bottom-right corner.
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.
▶ Rear view
▶ Bottom View (Default configuration) and Three Layout Options
At the bottom of the case, you have your ventilation slots and four removable feet.
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
▶ Included GPU holder
There is also an included adjustable GPU support with this case, which comes in handy to combat GPU sag.
Thermal Tests, Test Setup, and testing methodology
CPU | Intel i9-14900K |
CPU Cooler | Akasa Soho H4 Plus |
Motherboard | ASUS Z790-P Prime Wifi |
GPU | ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7900 GRE |
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.
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
MORE: Best PC Cases
MORE: Best Mini-ITX Cases
Albert Thomas is a contributor for Tom’s Hardware, primarily covering CPU cooling reviews.
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sailorjeff 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.Reply
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. -
Albert.Thomas
I'm sorry that you had a poor customer service experience. I'll keep your feedback in mind, thank you.sailorjeff said: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. -
Albert.Thomas
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.mwm2010 said:I may have to buy this case. It looks really good!