be quiet! Silent Base 800 Case Review
Promising “unique performance and usability,” the Silent Base 800 debuts the case line of power supply brand be quiet!
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How We Test Cases
The system we used in this article only deviates from our official 2015 Reference article in motherboard. We had to swap out the standard EATX MSI X99S XPower AC for a slightly smaller ATX model: the X99S Gaming 7.
Obviously, our Lian-Li PC-T80 open bench chassis sits this one out.
Test System Components
Settings
CPU | 4.2GHz (42x 100MHz) @ 1.2V Core |
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Motherboard | Firmware 17.8 (02/10/2015) |
RAM | XMP CAS 16 Defaults (1.2V) |
Graphics | Maximum Fan for Thermal Tests |
Drivers
Graphics | Nvidia GeForce 347.52 |
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Chipset | Intel INF 9.4.2.1019 |
To facilitate identical cooling on differently-sized motherboards, we're downsizing from Noctua’s huge NH-D15 to its NH-U12S. Though the smaller dimensions could solve fitment issues with some hardware combinations, cooling our overclocked Core i7-5930K is more challenging for its single-tower sink and one fan.
We’ve also transitioned from a noisy blower-style graphics cooler to an axial fan model from Gigabyte. The GV-N970G1 Gaming-4GD keeps its GPU exceptionally cool at reduced noise, while dumping its heat directly into the case.
Power comes from the 80 PLUS Platinum-rated Dark Power Pro 10 850W by be quiet!
Benchmark Suite
Prime95 v27.9 | 64-bit executable, Small FFTs, 11 threads |
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3DMark 11 | Version: 1.0.3.0, Extreme Preset: Graphics Test 1, Looped |
Real Temp 3.40 | Average of maximum core readings at full CPU load |
Galaxy CM-140 SPL Meter | Tested at 1/2 m, corrected to 1 m (-6 dB), dBA weighting |
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 and fan manufacturers by subtracting six decibels.
Comparison Cases
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Shneiky I am a big be quiet! fan (no pun intended). Been using their power supplies for years and I am using their fans wherever I can. But what turns off from this case is the lack of cuts in the tray for attaching cables with zip-ties. This is a big miss from be quiet!. Wonder how they forgot about it. It is a vital point for descent cable management in the back.Reply -
Anathemata Considering the Fractal Design R5 already beats out the 760T in my own experience, I don't know how this case can be competitive unless you are specifically looking for a case that has colored trim and a completely black interior (that you can't see, because no window).Reply -
g-unit1111 Huh, as an R4 owner I don't see the similarities between that and this case. It looks pretty nice for the price, the only thing that would make it better would be a clear side window. Not a fan of the orange color though.Reply -
Crashman
I don't think you understand how illogical many buyers are, that's why it says "combine the look and price of a full tower with the component space of a mid-tower" :)15635311 said:Pros: ..... Full-Height
That's a feature not a 'pro'.
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synphul I think the whole point of the silent base was the sound dampening and while some people prefer windows it would defeat the purpose of a padded side panel for noise dampening. Not a bad review but why so late? Everyone else reviewed this case back in nov/dec 2014. This review is nearly 5mo later than the ones from techspot, techpowerup, hexus. I know sometimes reviews get held up but surprised the silent base 900 or something hasn't released already. Five months is a long time in this industry.Reply