By: Ronald Chow (Guest Editor)
January 3, 2025
Welcome to 2025! To kick off the first review of the year, let us talk a little bit about cars. Many economy car brands in North America use full names for their vehicles, like the Corolla, Golf, Ranger, and Wrangler. However, in the luxury segment, the use of letter and number combinations becomes much more common. Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have increasing levels of luxury and size that correspond to a higher numeric or alphabetical designation. Beyond these alphanumeric codes, luxury brands also rely on design to visually distinguish different tiers within their vehicle lineups. Around 2018, Mercedes-Benz adopted an interesting approach to differentiate its product segments. The brand used a headlight daytime running lamp design element to signify class. For the B- and C-Class models, the headlights featured a single stripe; the E-Class had two stripes, while the flagship S-Class used three. This design element served as an insignia to delineate the hierarchy and reflect how much someone might have spent on their vehicle. Although there was an element of vanity, it was also a striking design that gave the vehicles a strong presence. Today, the computer case in question surpasses even the S-Class. The be quiet! Light Base 900 DX features four illuminated stripes on its exterior. Straying from the single-chamber designs of the past, be quiet! has forayed into dual-chamber case designs with the new Light Base 600 and 900 series. Dual-chamber cases have been growing in popularity for some time, with be quiet! joining the trend somewhat late. Let us see how be quiet! sets the Light Base 900 DX apart from the other fish tank style designs.
Our review unit of the be quiet! Light Base 900 DX was shipped from Newegg’s fulfillment center in Ontario, California, USA, via UPS Standard shipping. It arrived at our offices in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in good condition. The computer case was packaged in its retail box, with the thick, brown, corrugated cardboard showing a few bumps and scrapes. While the corners and edges displayed some bruising, the box was otherwise intact and structurally sound.
The retail packaging of the Light Base 900 DX is brown cardboard. The front and the back of the box feature line art of the case in a vertical configuration on one side and a horizontal configuration on the other. Below the line art, we find the text “LIGHT BASE 900 DX” inscribed below. The top right corner is marked with the be quiet! logo. On one side of the box, we have technical information and certifications of the case. On the other side, we have a blurb about the company's history in English, German, and French. The top of the box has a helpful instruction diagram describing how to remove the case from the box.
Specifications from the be quiet! website are listed below:
General data
Model: Light Base 900 DX White
Color option: White
Motherboard compatibility: E-ATX / XL-ATX / ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ATX
Case size excl. stands (L x W x H), (mm): 532 x 327 x 465
Case size incl. stands (L x W x H), (mm): 532 x 327 x 484
Volume (l): 68
PSU form factor: ATX PS/2
Net weight (kg): 16.8
Expansion slots: 8
Pre-installed fans
Fan at top: -
Fan at front: -
Fan at side: -
Fan at rear: -
Fan at bottom: -
Dimensions (L x W x H), (mm): -
Fan speed at 100% PWM / 12V (rpm): -
Airflow at 100% PWM / 12V (CFM / m3/h): -
Air Pressure at 100% PWM / 12V (mm H2O): -
Noise level at 100% PWM / 12V (dB(A)): -
Voltage range (V DC): -
Input power (W): -
Input current (A): -
Connector: -
Lifespan (h / 25°C): -
Fan controller: -
Maximum fan installation
Maximum fans: 10
Top (mm): 3x 140 / 3x 120
Front (mm): -
Side (mm): 3x 140 / 3x 120
Rear (mm): 1x 140 / 1x 120
Bottom (mm): 3x 140 / 3x 120
PSU shroud: -
Optional radiator installation
Top (mm): 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360 / 420
Front (mm): -
Side (mm): 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360
Rear (mm): 120 / 140
Bottom (mm): 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360 / 420
PSU compatibility
Maximum dimensions excl. bottom fan (mm): 225
Maximum dimensions incl. bottom fan (mm): 225
Graphics card
HDD cage (in height of graphics card) installed (mm): 495
HDD cage (in height of graphics card) removed (mm): 495
Maximum PCIe slots with vertical graphics card (pcs.): 4
Drive bay capacity
5.25 bays (pcs.): -
3.5 slots (scope of delivery): 1
3.5 slots (max.): 2
2.5 slots (scope of delivery): 4
2.5 slots (max.): 6
Cooling
Max.construction height of CPU cooler unit (mm): 190
Airflow channel: -
Lighting
LED illumination: ✓
LEDs (pcs.): 172
LED type: ARGB - 5V
LEDs synchronizable with controller/motherboard: ✓
I/O Panel
USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C : 1
USB 3.2 Type A: 2
USB 2.0: -
HD Audio I/O: Mic + Audio
Qi charger / Quick Charging Option (W): -
Insulation and damping
Top panel insulation mats: -
Front panel insulation mats: -
Side panel insulation mats: -
Anti-vibration decoupled HDD: ✓
Anti-vibration decoupled fan ✓
Anti-vibration decoupled PSU: ✓
Anti-vibration decoupled motherboard-tray: -
Scope of delivery
Screw set (Drives/Motherboard): ✓
Additional standoffs (pcs.): 1
SSD bracket for PSU shroud: -
LED strips (pcs.): -
Cable ties (pcs.): 12
Screw box: -
VGA holder: ✓
VGA holder for inverted layout: ✓
Mesh Front Panel: -
ODD Bracket: -
Fan / Radiator bracket for multi mounting panel: -
Removable dust filters
Top: 1
Front: -
Side: 1
Bottom: 1
Material
Top cover: Steel
Front panel: Glass
Side panel: Steel
Side panel window: Glass
Stands: ABS
Safety certification
Approvals: CE, UKCA
Environmental directives
RoHS: ✓
Reach: -
WEEE: ✓
Triman: ✓
Service
Warranty (Years): 3
International hotline / free of charge: ✓ / DE, FR
After following the unboxing instructions, the Light Base 900 DX is inside a plastic bag and sandwiched by two thick pieces of what I believe to be polyethylene foam. This is a significant improvement over polystyrene foam, as PE foam can withstand multiple impacts while maintaining its shape and cushioning properties. It is evident that the foam has done its job as the case was in pristine condition. Further packaged inside the case is a box of mounting hardware and the user manual.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
