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be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow vs Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

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 Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case at 5.1/10.

The be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow leads on airflow and cooling, build and ease of building, noise and value.

The Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case leads on space and compatibility.

The biggest difference is noise, where the be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow scores 7/10 to the Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case's 3/10.

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

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

5.1/10verdict: good, not the best

The Corsair 3500X ARGB is for builders who want a glass-fronted mid-tower with room for large radiators and a big graphics card. It suits people who care about looks and liquid cooling more than the lowest possible GPU temperatures. Buyers sensitive to fan noise should read the owner feedback on the stock fans first.

Typically about £119.99 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 AirflowCorsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case
Airflow and cooling30%7/105/10
Build and ease of building20%7/105/10
Space and compatibility20%6/107/10
Noise15%7/103/10
Value15%7/105/10
Overall6.8/105.1/10

Specifications

Specbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowCorsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case
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 weightMid-Tower, 460 × 240 × 506 mm (L × W × H), 10.54 kg
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITXMini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX (up to 305 × 277 mm)
Maximum graphics card length (mm)not listed425 mm (manufacturer UK page). Conflict: US explorer guide lists 410 mm
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)178 mm maximum CPU cooler height170 mm
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)ATX only; maximum PSU length 180 mm
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)Front 120/140/240/280/360 mm; Top 120/240 mm; Rear 120/140 mmTop 360, 280, 240 mm; side 360, 280, 240 mm; rear 120 mm; front none; bottom none
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)ARGB edition includes 3× RS120 ARGB; top 3× 120 mm or 2× 140 mm; side 3× 120 mm or 2× 140 mm; rear 1× 120 mm; bottom 3× 120 mm and 1× 140 mm; front none
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 5; no 5.25-inch bays2× internal 3.5 inch and 2× internal 2.5 inch; removable drive plate takes up to 2 HDDs and 2 SSDs

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 ›

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

  • + Two 360 mm radiator positions, top and side
  • + Takes E-ATX boards and 425 mm graphics cards
  • + Three RS120 ARGB fans included
  • − Glass front with no mesh and no front fan mount
  • − Owners report loud, high-pitched stock fans
  • − Only two 3.5 inch and two 2.5 inch drive spots

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want a quiet build with the stock fans
  • Anyone after the lowest GPU temperatures from a mesh front
  • Builders who need many 3.5 inch drive bays
Read the full Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case review ›

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