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be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow vs Fractal Design Pop Air

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 Fractal Design Pop Air at 6.5/10.

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

The Fractal Design Pop Air leads on space and compatibility.

They score the same on build and ease of building.

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 Pop Air

Fractal Design Pop Air

6.5/10verdict: good, not the best

The Pop Air is for builders who want a mesh-fronted ATX mid-tower with room for large graphics cards and radiators. It suits people who plan to add or swap fans for better cooling. It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet case or relies on the stock fans.

Typically about £80 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 Pop Air
Airflow and cooling30%7/106/10
Build and ease of building20%7/107/10
Space and compatibility20%6/108/10
Noise15%7/105/10
Value15%7/106/10
Overall6.8/106.5/10

Specifications

Specbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowFractal Design Pop Air
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 ATX
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITXATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Maximum graphics card length (mm)not listed405 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; PSU max length 170 mm
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)Front 120/140/240/280/360 mm; Top 120/240 mm; Rear 120/140 mmTop 120, 240 mm; front 120, 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)Front 2x 120/140 mm; top 2x 120/140 mm; rear 1x 120 mm; included 2x Aspect 12 (front), 1x Aspect 12 (rear)
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 5; no 5.25-inch bays2x dedicated 2.5" mounts; 3x combined 3.5"/2.5" mounts; 2x 5.25" mounts

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 Pop Air

  • + Honeycomb mesh front with dust filter
  • + Fits 405 mm GPUs and 280 mm front radiator
  • + Cable ties and pass-through holes ready to use
  • − Included fans criticised for weak airflow
  • − Only 19 mm of cable routing space
  • − RGB fans measured at 39 dBA at 85% power

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want a quiet build without changing the stock fans
  • Anyone who needs a PSU longer than 170 mm
  • Builders who want lots of cable routing space behind the tray
Read the full Fractal Design Pop Air review ›

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