The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The be quiet! Pure Base 501 LX is a compact ATX mid-tower aimed at builders who want a mesh-front case, four included ARGB fans and room for mainstream gaming components. Its layout supports a front radiator up to 360 mm or a top radiator up to 240 mm, but those maximums do not guarantee that every radiator, GPU and power supply will fit together. Independent reviews report effective cooling in their tested builds, while also showing that noise and temperatures depend on fan speed and component layout.
What the Pure Base 501 LX includes
The 501 LX is available in black (model BGW78) and white (BGW79). Both versions support ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards and have a tempered-glass side panel, mesh-style high-airflow intake, cable-routing features, an ARGB controller and an ARGB/PWM fan hub. The manufacturer lists a three-year warranty.
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Four Light Wings LX PWM fans are preinstalled: three 120 mm fans at the front and one 140 mm fan at the rear. The included hub supports up to six fans. It is configured for up to three 120 mm or two 140 mm front fans, two 120/140 mm top fans, and one 120/140 mm rear fan. The six-fan maximum is a total, not six additional positions beyond the included fans.
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Will your components fit?
These are manufacturer-listed limits. Treat them as starting points: radiator thickness, fan placement, GPU dimensions and cable connections can affect the assembled clearance. Check the case specification against the exact parts you plan to install, especially if combining a long graphics card with a front radiator.
#1 Best Overall
- Pure Base 501 LX Black is for the ARGB enthusiasts out there. With 4 preinstalled Light Wings LX PWM fans, this case is predetermined to be your next show case. With its countless modes and colors and the possibility to synchronize your ARGB effects, Pure Base 501 LX Black leaves nothing to be desired. To support a full ARGB ecosystem, a hub for 6 ARGB devices and PWM fans is installed behind the motherboard tray.
- With optimization for maximum airflow, Light Wings LX 120mm PWM is the right choice for any case configuration that demands high cooling performance. Its 7 airflow-optimized fan blades not only reduce noise-generating turbulences but also ensure Light Wings LX PWM provides the performance that is needed, even in demanding configurations. 3 Light Wings LX 120mm PWM pull cool air from the front, while a large 140mm fan exhausts the warm air through the rear.
- Despite its compact dimensions, Pure Base 501 LX Black offers enough space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers. Triple fans or a radiator up to 360mm can be installed easily at the front, while top area provides space for up to 2 fans or a radiator up to 240mm.
- Why not try something else with your GPU? The PCIe slots of the Pure Base 501 LX Black can be rotated 90° for an upright installation of wide high-end graphics cards. The spacing is perfect for the optional be quiet! Riser Cable, whose foam base provides excellent anti-sag support for graphics cards in vertical orientation.
- As a compact PC case, Pure Base 501 LX Black optimally uses the offered space. Thanks to cleverly integrated cable routing options, it makes cable management a breeze.
| Item | Manufacturer-listed support |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| Maximum graphics-card length | 368 mm |
| Maximum CPU-cooler height | 178 mm |
| Maximum radiator support | Front: 120, 140, 240, 280 or 360 mm; top: 120 or 240 mm; rear: 120 or 140 mm |
| Maximum PSU length | 200 mm without a bottom fan; 180 mm with a bottom fan |
| Drive support | Up to two 3.5-inch drives and five 2.5-inch drives |
| Dimensions including stands | 450 × 231 × 463 mm |
The manufacturer’s current product pages list these configurations, warranty and recommended prices: Pure Base 501 LX product pages. Confirm the exact regional specification and model before purchase; a headline clearance figure is not proof that a particular radiator-and-GPU combination will fit.
Cooling and noise: what reviews show
Stock fan setup
In its March 11, 2025 review, benchmark.pl tested the stock arrangement of three 120 mm front Light Wings LX fans and one 140 mm rear fan. The reviewer found ventilation effective in that configuration, but noted that the fans were audible at maximum speed and recommended adjusting the fan curve. That finding supports the case’s airflow potential, not a guarantee of quiet operation in every build. See benchmark.pl’s review.
Rank #2
- Pure Base 501 LX White is for the ARGB enthusiasts out there. With 4 preinstalled Light Wings LX PWM fans, this case is predetermined to be your next show case. With its countless modes and colors and the possibility to synchronize your ARGB effects, Pure Base 501 LX White leaves nothing to be desired. To support a full ARGB ecosystem, a hub for 6 ARGB devices and PWM fans is installed behind the motherboard tray.
- With optimization for maximum airflow, Light Wings LX 120mm PWM White is the right choice for any case configuration that demands high cooling performance. Its 7 airflow-optimized fan blades not only reduce noise-generating turbulences but also ensure Light Wings LX PWM White provides the performance that is needed, even in demanding configurations. 3 Light Wings LX 120mm PWM White pull cool air from the front, while a large 140mm fan exhausts the warm air through the rear.
- Despite its compact dimensions, Pure Base 501 LX White offers enough space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers. Triple fans or a radiator up to 360mm can be installed easily at the front, while top area provides space for up to 2 fans or a radiator up to 240mm.
- Why not try something else with your GPU? The PCIe slots of the Pure Base 501 LX White can be rotated 90° for an upright installation of wide high-end graphics cards. The spacing is perfect for the optional be quiet! Riser Cable, whose foam base provides excellent anti-sag support for graphics cards in vertical orientation.
- As a compact PC case, Pure Base 501 LX White optimally uses the offered space. Thanks to cleverly integrated cable routing options, it makes cable management a breeze.
Radiator placement changes the result
Profesional Review’s November 27, 2025 review used a 60-minute stress test and reported 32 dBA at idle and 47 dBA under stress for its complete system. Those readings belong to that review’s components, measurement setup and conditions; they are not directly comparable with another test unless equipment, distance, room conditions and workload are aligned. The reviewer linked somewhat higher component temperatures in that build partly to a 360 mm radiator drawing warm air inward, and suggested adding exhaust fans at the rear and top. Read Profesional Review’s test for its configuration and methodology.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For a build using a large front radiator, plan the airflow path rather than choosing a radiator size in isolation. Front intake can bring warmed radiator air into the case; exhaust capacity and fan curves influence the resulting component temperatures and noise. The supplied stock fans may be sufficient for many configurations, but the review evidence does not establish a universal temperature or noise advantage over other cases.
Rank #3
- Streamlined Design and Quiet Operation: Pure Base 501 is crafted for users who appreciate a minimalistic design with effective noise reduction, optimized for quiet functionality.
- Enhanced Cooling Potential: Includes a Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM fan with airflow-optimized blades to reduce turbulence and noise, supporting demanding builds with up to three front fans or a 360mm radiator and up to three top fans or a 240mm radiator.
- Flexible GPU Installation: Offers space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers, with PCIe slots that rotate 90° for vertical GPU mounting, supported by an optional riser cable to prevent GPU sag.
- Efficient Layout and Connectivity: Compact yet spacious, the Pure Base 501 provides smart cable management and front I/O ports with USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C and dual Type A for fast and convenient access.
- German Design I German Engineering I German Quality I German Performance
Is a 280 mm AIO better than a 240 mm AIO here?
The case lists support for both sizes at the front, while the top supports up to 240 mm. A 280 mm radiator is not automatically the better choice: its cooling and acoustic outcome depends on the specific cooler, CPU load, fan settings, radiator location and the rest of the build. Choose based on the cooler’s tested performance and the clearance of your complete assembly, not the case’s maximum radiator label alone. A top-mounted 240 mm option may suit a different airflow plan, but no matched testing of 240 mm and 280 mm coolers in the 501 LX has been published.
Build considerations and optional upgrades
- Vertical graphics card: Vertical GPU installation is described as optional. benchmark.pl says the mounting adapter is sold separately; no exact compatible adapter or riser model is established here. Verify compatibility with be quiet! and the adapter maker before buying.
- More fans: The case already includes four PWM fans and a hub with capacity for up to six. Additional fans are conditional, not a required purchase; check fan size, PWM/ARGB connectors and controller or motherboard compatibility.
- Component combinations: Check radiator and fan thickness alongside GPU length, PSU length and cabling. In particular, the manufacturer gives a shorter PSU limit when a bottom fan is installed.
Price, variants and buying context
be quiet! lists recommended prices of €139.90 for black BGW78 and €144.90 for white BGW79, and a three-year warranty. These are manufacturer RRPs, not confirmed current retailer prices or availability in a particular country. The Pure Base 501 family also includes DX, Airflow Window and closed-front versions; do not assume their front panels, included fans or other features match the LX. Compare the exact model page and local listing before ordering.
Rank #4
- Streamlined Design and Quiet Operation: Pure Base 501 is crafted for users who appreciate a minimalistic design with effective noise reduction, optimized for quiet functionality.
- Enhanced Cooling Potential: Includes a Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM fan with airflow-optimized blades to reduce turbulence and noise, supporting demanding builds with up to three front fans or a 360mm radiator and up to three top fans or a 240mm radiator.
- Flexible GPU Installation: Offers space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers, with PCIe slots that rotate 90° for vertical GPU mounting, supported by an optional riser cable to prevent GPU sag.
- Efficient Layout and Connectivity: Compact yet spacious, the Pure Base 501 provides smart cable management and front I/O ports with USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C and dual Type A for fast and convenient access.
- German Design I German Engineering I German Quality I German Performance
Verdict
The Pure Base 501 LX is a strong fit for a builder seeking a mesh-front ATX case with four included ARGB PWM fans, a six-fan hub and flexible radiator positions. Its published clearances cover many mainstream builds, but the figures require a configuration check when pairing a front radiator with a long GPU or adding a bottom fan. Review evidence supports good cooling in tested setups, not a blanket claim that it is silent or cooler than competing cases. Buy it for the included fan package and layout if your parts fit; choose fan curves and radiator placement with acoustics and airflow in mind.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Without any distractions, Pure Base 501 is reduced to excel at its core functions and is aimed at users that appreciate an unagitated presentation.
- With optimization for maximum airflow, Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM is the perfect choice for Pure Base 501. Its 7 airflow-optimized fan blades not only reduce noise-generating turbulences but also ensure Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM provides the performance that is needed for demanding configurations.
- Despite its compact dimensions, Pure Base 501 offers enough space for high-end graphics cards and large coolers. Triple fans or a radiator up to 360mm can be installed easily at the front, while top area provides space for up to 3 fans or a radiator up to 240mm.
- Why not try something else with your GPU? The PCIe slots of the Pure Base 501 can be rotated 90° for an upright installation of wide high-end graphics cards. The spacing is perfect for the optional be quiet! Riser Cable, whose foam base provides excellent anti-sag support for graphics cards in vertical orientation.
- As a compact PC case, Pure Base 501 optimally uses the offered space. Thanks to cleverly integrated cable routing options, it makes cable management a breeze.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
