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Results & Conclusion
We’ll be using our reference PC with its reference overclock for case testing.
Noise is measured .5m from the case’s front corner, on the side that opens. The numbers are corrected to the 1m industry standard – used by many loudspeaker ad fan manufacturers – by subtracting six decibels.
Drivers & Settings
| Chipset | Intel INF 9.4.2.1019 |
|---|---|
| CPU | 4.2GHz (42x 100MHz) @ 1.2V Core |
| Motherboard | Firmware 17.8 (02/10/2015) |
| RAM | XMP CAS 16 Defaults (1.2V) |
| Graphics | Maximum Fan for Thermal Tests | Nvidia GeForce 347.52 |
Comparison Cases
The Enthoo Evolv ATX TG and the Corsair 760T are the competition for the new installation in the Base product lineup. How does it fare against the competition?
Test Results
The Dark Base Pro 900 performed well compared to the other compared cases. Its GPU temperature readings were comparable to the others, but the CPU temperature readings were a bit higher than the rest.
We can see the case does a good job of mitigating noise even when the fans are on the high setting. The case is fantastically quiet when idle. Just internet browsing will have this machine sounding like it’s asleep. Even when under a heavy graphics load, the case remains quieter than similar enclosures.
The Dark Base Pro 900 was quieter than the other cases, but was hotter at the same time. Therefore, it’s efficiency is lower due to the reduced airflow not effectively cooling the components.
The Dark Base Pro 900 costs more and is a little bit lower in performance, resulting in a lower value rating.
The Dark Base Pro 900 costs $250, with added features like the Qi Charger, an extended PWM fan controller, and the tempered glass side panel. The Enthoo Evolv ATX Tempered Glass fits a similar side panel for $50 less, the same price as the non-Pro Dark Base 900. Either way, if you spend $200 or more on a case, then you’re going to expect excellent overall performance. The Dark Base Pro 900 offers good performance by itself, but not when compared to similar cases on the market. It’s hard for buyers who don't need the Qi Charger to justify a jump to the Pro version of this chassis, particularly after considering the price of similar tempered glass panel cases.
I was very impressed with the thick noise-cancelling foam found within the Dark Base Pro 900. The build quality is outstanding. The case looks beautiful, and it’s so modular you could configure it in dozens of ways to fit your specific needs. That’s where the Dark Base Pro 900 shines. If you’re looking for a larger case, with fantastic water cooling support, unique looks, and what is essentially a playground inside a computer case, then this case is worth a look. If you’re planning on water cooling your rig, then the Dark Base Pro 900 would be a fantastic option. If you could pass on a glass side panel and Qi charger, the $200 non-pro version would be a better value.
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