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be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow vs Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid)

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

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid) scores 7.2/10 overall, ahead of the be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow at 6.8/10.

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

The Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid) leads on airflow and cooling and build and ease of building.

They score the same on space and compatibility 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

Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid)

Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid)

7.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The Meshify 3 Black Solid is for builders who want a mesh-fronted ATX mid-tower with strong airflow and a plain steel-sided look. It suits air-cooled and radiator-cooled builds where cooling matters more than a glass window. It's best for people whose graphics card fits within 349 mm.

Typically about £124.90 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 AirflowFractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid)
Airflow and cooling30%7/108/10
Build and ease of building20%7/108/10
Space and compatibility20%6/106/10
Noise15%7/106/10
Value15%7/107/10
Overall6.8/107.2/10

Specifications

Specbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowFractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid)
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-ITXE-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Maximum graphics card length (mm)not listed349 mm
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)178 mm maximum CPU cooler height173 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 mmFront 280/360 mm; top 240/280 mm; rear 120 mm
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)Three Momentum 14 included at front; front 3x 120/140 mm, top 2x 120/140 mm, rear 1x 120 mm
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 5; no 5.25-inch baysnot listed

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 ›

Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid)

  • + Mesh front with GPU air guide and three fans fitted
  • + Tool-less panels and captive thumbscrews ease building
  • + Front, top and rear radiator mounts with brackets included
  • − 349 mm GPU length limit draws owner complaints
  • − Front radiator makes power cable routing harder
  • − PSU bay is ATX only, maximum 180 mm long

Skip it if:

  • Buyers with a graphics card longer than 349 mm
  • Anyone who wants a glass side panel to show off parts
  • Builders using a non-ATX power supply or one longer than 180 mm
Read the full Fractal Design Meshify 3 (Black Solid) review ›

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