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be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow vs Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW

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 4000D AIRFLOW at 6.7/10.

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

The Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW leads on space and compatibility.

They score the same on airflow and cooling, build and ease of building and 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

Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW

Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW

6.7/10verdict: good, not the best

The Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW is an ATX mid tower for builders who want a ventilated front panel and a roomy interior. It suits standard gaming and workstation builds with a long graphics card or a tower cooler. It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet build under heavy load without changing fans.

Typically about £102.40 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 4000D AIRFLOW
Airflow and cooling30%7/107/10
Build and ease of building20%7/107/10
Space and compatibility20%6/107/10
Noise15%7/105/10
Value15%7/107/10
Overall6.8/106.7/10

Specifications

Specbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowCorsair 4000D AIRFLOW
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 weightATX mid tower
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITXMini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX and E-ATX (305mm x 277mm)
Maximum graphics card length (mm)not listed360mm maximum
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)178 mm maximum CPU cooler height170mm maximum
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, maximum PSU length 220mm
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)Front 120/140/240/280/360 mm; Top 120/240 mm; Rear 120/140 mm120, 140, 240, 280 and 360mm supported; 360mm front and 280mm roof
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)Two 120mm AirGuide fans included (front and rear); front 3x120mm or 2x140mm, top 2x120mm or 2x140mm, rear 120mm
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 5; no 5.25-inch bays3.5in and 2.5in combo drive cage with two removable trays, plus 2x2.5in

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 4000D AIRFLOW

  • + Perforated steel front panel with two fans included
  • + Roomy interior with easy cable routing, per owners
  • + Fits 360mm graphics cards and 360mm front radiators
  • − Fans are 3-pin, not PWM
  • − Only one USB-A port on the front I/O
  • − Side panels take force to remove

Skip it if:

  • Builders who want a quiet system under heavy load without swapping fans
  • Anyone who needs several front USB ports
  • Buyers who want tool-free side panels that come off easily
Read the full Corsair 4000D AIRFLOW review ›

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