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be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow vs Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow scores 6.8/10 overall, ahead of the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2 at 6.6/10.

The be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow leads on airflow and cooling and noise.

The Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2 leads on build and ease of building and space and compatibility.

They score the same on value.

be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow

6.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The Pure Base 501 Airflow is for builders who want a quiet, mesh-fronted ATX case with sound build quality. It suits mainstream desktops, workstations and homelab boxes that need a few drives and good front-to-back airflow. It is less suited to buyers who need long-GPU clearance confirmed or tall air coolers.

Typically about £118.49 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2

Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2

6.6/10verdict: good, not the best

The NR200P V2 is for people building a compact Mini-ITX PC around a long graphics card. It suits builders who like tool-free panel access and are happy to add fans or a radiator. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants a quiet build straight away.

Typically about £99.22 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowCooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2
Airflow and cooling30%7/106/10
Build and ease of building20%7/108/10
Space and compatibility20%6/107/10
Noise15%7/105/10
Value15%7/107/10
Overall6.8/106.6/10

Specifications

Specbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowCooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)ATX mid-tower-sized case, 450 x 231 x 449 mm excluding stands, 39.2 L volume, 6.8 kg net weightMini-ITX case, 18.25L volume, 360 × 185 × 274 mm excluding protrusions (372 × 185 × 292 mm including)
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITXMini-ITX only, maximum board size 170 × 180 mm
Maximum graphics card length (mm)not listed356 mm maximum length, 160 mm maximum height (US page and store list 357 mm, a 1 mm discrepancy)
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)178 mm maximum CPU cooler heightnot listed
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)ATX PS/2 form factor, maximum PSU dimension 180 mm (length not specified)not listed
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)Front 120/140/240/280/360 mm; Top 120/240 mm; Rear 120/140 mm240 mm and 280 mm liquid coolers, top mount
Fans included and fan mountsTwo Pure Wings 3 140 mm PWM fans included (front and rear); maximum six (top 2x140 or 2x120; front 2x140 or 3x120; rear 1x140 or 1x120)One pre-installed 120 mm PWM SickleFlow fan at bottom (650–1,800 rpm); top mounts 120/140 mm x2; floor mounts 120 mm x2
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 5; no 5.25-inch baysOne 3.5-inch bay (two if bottom fan removed), one 2.5/3.5-inch combo bay, one 2.5-inch bay (two if bottom fan removed); no 5.25-inch bays

Strengths and weaknesses

be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow

  • + Quiet operation praised by reviewers
  • + Rigid chassis and solid build quality
  • + Mesh front with 360 mm radiator support
  • − 178 mm CPU cooler height limit
  • − No 5.25-inch bays
  • − One review found CPU cooling unimpressive

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need a confirmed maximum GPU length before purchasing.
  • Builders who want 5.25-inch bays for optical or bay-mounted devices.
  • Anyone planning a tall air cooler above 178 mm.
Read the full be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow review ›

Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2

  • + Tool-free pinned panels and removable GPU panel
  • + Takes 356 mm graphics cards and 280 mm radiators
  • + Riser cable and GPU holder included
  • − Only one fan included
  • − Glass panel restricts graphics card airflow
  • − Fans reported ramping to 100% under load

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want a quiet build without adjusting fan behaviour
  • Anyone planning a larger motherboard than Mini-ITX
  • Builders who want a glass side panel and the best graphics card cooling
Read the full Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P V2 review ›

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