Be Quiet Dark Base 700

[pookeyhead]

I'm looking for a decent inverse ATX case for my next build, and I was considering the Dark Base 700. It looks perfect, but the top panel is a solid metal panel with a small vent at the rear. Despite this, it has a slide out tray to accommodate a radiator at the top. This seems a crazy design...  is the top panel interchangeable, or removable?

Thanks

[Ralphred]

It vents out the back.

I've not used this particular model, but I have been building with others from their range for a couple of years, good build quality, sensible designs, and good thermals.

Whilst the cost may look high the supplied fans don't need replacing, just augmenting if you are running higher end hardware.

[pookeyhead]

The cost doesn't bother me, it was that design with no top grille for the radiator. Looks kind of restrictive if you have a 360 radiator and high SP fans in there.

[thrasher_565]

6 hours ago, pookeyhead said:

I'm looking for a decent inverse ATX case for my next build, and I was considering the Dark Base 700. It looks perfect, but the top panel is a solid metal panel with a small vent at the rear. Despite this, it has a slide out tray to accommodate a radiator at the top. This seems a crazy design...  is the top panel interchangeable, or removable?

Thanks

case like these are just bad. your stuff will run hot and fans will run faster and louder. the only thing it might be good for coil wine.

 

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by thrasher_565

[pookeyhead]

Steve tests with air cooling though. I was asking about using it for water cooling with a top mounted AIO.

[suedseefrucht]

13 hours ago, pookeyhead said:

I'm looking for a decent inverse ATX case for my next build

I guess because of the case choice, you want to build a quiet system.
I was aiming for that too and I ended up with a fractal design define R6.
For me, it's the best compromise between airflow and noise dampening.

And you can decide if you want a closed top or an open top.

You can also decide if you want a lot of HDDs in a HDD cage or go for an open layout.

There is the define R7 now. It's the new version.

Just take a look at it and watch some test videos.

 

You could also think about air cooling. I picked it over watercooling, because it can't leak, it's much easier to maintain (just blow out the dust), there is no pump noise and big air coolers are just as good at cooling as watercoolers.

 

You can see my build down below.
If I could build it again, I would take more time to find a quiet graphics card. The graphics card is the only thing I hear under full load.

And I hear the HDD sometimes. But for 4 TB a HDD is worth it, I guess.

[pookeyhead]

2 hours ago, suedseefrucht said:

I guess because of the case choice, you want to build a quiet system.

While I don't want a "loud" system, no...  I am looking for inverse ATX, and the choices are limited.  None of the cases you suggest are inverse ATX.

Maybe I just take a dremel to the top panel

[thrasher_565]

3 hours ago, pookeyhead said:

While I don't want a "loud" system, no...  I am looking for inverse ATX, and the choices are limited.  None of the cases you suggest are inverse ATX.

Maybe I just take a dremel to the top panel

first time that you said you wanted an inverted ATX case...

 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08NW4MK1X?ref_=as_li_ss_tl&language=en_US&linkCode=gs2&linkId=9e7f96dcdd81c12412165d5ab5e08582&tag=setupgamers09-20

 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07V2PSZ53?psc=1&th=1&linkCode=gs2&tag=setupgamers09-20

 

i seen the coolermaster q500l be inverted thow i dont think it natively supports it. poor cooling as well but you can do mods to it and its cheap.

 

https://www.amazon.ca/Cooler-Master-Mini-Tower-Transparent-Ventilated/dp/B07Q8VJ17J/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=cooler+master+case&

qid=1629124151&sr=8-14

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by thrasher_565

[pookeyhead]

2 hours ago, thrasher_565 said:

first time that you said you wanted an inverted ATX case

Nope... my first post mentioned it   The first thing I said was "I'm looking for a decent inverse ATX case for my next build".  In fact, you quoted me in reply.

 

The Silverstone RL08 is already on my list, but has GPU limitations if you have a top mounted rad. If you mount the rad at the front, then the PSU shroud makes it hard to get the barbs at the bottom, which would be my preferred mounting orientation for a front mounted rad.  I just built a rig for my daughter using the LD01, which is the same chassis with a glass front panel.  Again, a bit of Dremel action may sort it.

The legs on the 802 just really annoy me for some reason

I also like the idea of mATX after building my daughters. It's a really nice size.  I think a bit of modification to the RL08 is my best option.

Thanks for replying.



 

[TVwazhere]

Riotoro CR1080/1088 are also options, though they're starkly different than the DB700

[pookeyhead]

1 hour ago, TVwazhere said:

Riotoro CR1080/1088 are also options, though they're starkly different than the DB700

That looks VERY interesting!  Thanks for the heads up!

[TVwazhere]

22 minutes ago, pookeyhead said:

That looks VERY interesting!  Thanks for the heads up!

Do note that due to their sandwich style layout, their cooling options are limited. The CPU cooler height is only 120mm and only a 120 or 240 rad can go at the front. 300mm gpu length including no fans or radiators. 

[pookeyhead]

A bit cramped then...  yes.. just read the specs.  It's a nice looking case though.

[TVwazhere]

16 hours ago, pookeyhead said:

A bit cramped then...  yes.. just read the specs.  It's a nice looking case though.

You likely wont find many inverted cases that come close to the functionality and build quality of the DB700, DB900 rev2 or the Silent base 802. Most inverted cases are old (Corsair 600C) or too small (RL08). 

 

I know you said cost doesnt matter, but I dont think you're ready to drop $350 to $500 on the Cosmos C700P or C700M either.

 

The Silverstone Raven Series is still alive, which though it's not completely inverted or "show off" window, is still an option. 

[pookeyhead]

7 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

I know you said cost doesnt matter, but I dont think you're ready to drop $350 to $500 on the Cosmos C700P or C700M either.

I have no issue with that cost whatsoever. I do have an issue of them being completely and utterly ugly though.  I know looks are subjective, but I think they are both hideous. The best looking case out of everything discussed so far, IMO, is the RL08, and that is still a strong contender for me despite having a top mounted rad and GPU offering some serious space limitations.

 

7 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

The Silverstone Raven Series is still alive

Too ugly. I know it's a great case, but seriously... I'm not looking at that all day.

The Be Quiet case is the best contender so far, despite that ridiculous top panel design, or the RL08. Both will need some Dremel therapy. 

The Riotoro CR1080 looked like my solution, until I realised it's cooling limitations.

yeah... Dark Base 70 or Silverstone RL08 I think. 

Thanks for all the advie from everyone though. A couple of cases I never knew existed in there.
 

[pookeyhead]

Thanks to all who suggested some interesting cases, but I think I shall go with the Dark Base 700 and modify the top panel as a decent intake for a 360 radiator. It wouldn't be the first time I've done this. I did it to an old Lian Li case back in the 2000s as it had no top intake or exhaust at all. If you use a radiator grille externally, it actually looks good too.

 

[TVwazhere]

2 hours ago, pookeyhead said:

Thanks to all who suggested some interesting cases, but I think I shall go with the Dark Base 700 and modify the top panel as a decent intake for a 360 radiator. It wouldn't be the first time I've done this. I did it to an old Lian Li case back in the 2000s as it had no top intake or exhaust at all. If you use a radiator grille externally, it actually looks good too.

you'd better make a case modding post when you do!