Skip to content
sudopicks
esc

be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow vs Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB

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 Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB at 6.2/10.

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

The Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB leads on space and compatibility.

They score the same on build and ease of building.

The biggest difference is space and compatibility, where the Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB scores 9/10 to the be quiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow's 6/10.

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

Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB

Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB

6.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic Evo RGB is for builders who want a showcase PC with room for large radiators and long graphics cards. It suits people who plan custom or all-in-one liquid cooling and are happy to buy their own fans. It is a poorer fit for anyone who wants a case that arrives ready to cool a build.

Typically about £145 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 AirflowLian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB
Airflow and cooling30%7/105/10
Build and ease of building20%7/107/10
Space and compatibility20%6/109/10
Noise15%7/105/10
Value15%7/105/10
Overall6.8/106.2/10

Specifications

Specbe quiet! Pure Base 501 AirflowLian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB
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 weightTower Chassis (ATX/Micro-ATX mid-tower)
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITXE-ATX (under 280mm width), ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX
Maximum graphics card length (mm)not listed455.7mm maximum
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)178 mm maximum CPU cooler height167mm 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 only, under 220mm
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)Front 120/140/240/280/360 mm; Top 120/240 mm; Rear 120/140 mmTop: 420mm or 360mm (max 103.8mm thick, also 240mm); side: 360/280/240mm (max 113.7mm); bottom: 360/280/240mm (max 92.3mm)
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)None included; mounts: top 120mm x3 or 140mm x3, side 120mm x3 or 140mm x3, bottom 120mm x3 or 140mm x3, rear 120mm x1
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 5; no 5.25-inch baysRear side: 4x 2.5 / 2x 3.5 inch; mainboard tray: 2x 2.5 inch; HDD cages: 2x 2.5 / 3.5 inch

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 ›

Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB

  • + Fits 420mm and 360mm radiators at the same time
  • + Accepts graphics cards up to 455.7mm long
  • + Owners describe building in it as smooth
  • − No fans included
  • − Glass front as standard; mesh kit sold separately
  • − Power supply limited to ATX units under 220mm

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want fans included from the start
  • Anyone with a power supply of 220mm or longer
  • Builders who want a mesh front without buying a separate kit
Read the full Lian Li O11 DYNAMIC EVO RGB review ›

More comparisons

Compare all PC cases · Best PC cases