be quiet! Dark Base 700 - Another PC Case of the Year?

The BeQuiet Dark Base 700 has the same DNA as our 2016 Case of the Year, the Dark Base 900. But does that DNA allow it to stand out in a much more crowded market?
Buy items in this video from Amazon at the links below:
OCZ RD400: geni.us/QUBBhV6
Review unit provided free of charge by BeQuiet! This video is sponsored by Toshiba OCZ. As per Hardware Canucks guidelines, no video direction was received from manufacturer. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Gear list (Available on Amazon):
Panasonic GH5 - geni.us/nXAbU
Panasonic GH4 - geni.us/2hzK
Panasonic G7 - geni.us/24nm
Canon C100 - geni.us/vDI
Sony RX100m3 - geni.us/dtb
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 - geni.us/dLL
Cinevate DUZI Slider - geni.us/1Hwt
AKG C314 - geni.us/6o9
AKG C 568 B - geni.us/1D2S
Zoom H5 - geni.us/2LUm
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Darkness is Coming by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
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#bequiet #gamingcase #computercase #pccase #hardwarecanucks

[@DJoseph13]

Keep up the great case reviews! All the camera angles are wonderful!

[@thsaintful]

Your vids are on point man! Beautiful video, good critical reviews, no unnescessary details, and a very layed back atmosphere. only found your channel after scrapyard wars, i must have been missing out in the past!

[@HardwareCanucks]

+P1lot welcome 😎

[@ares23dc]

Best case I have seen reviewed this year yet. Thanks.

[@erictheberry]

Great video! I wasn't even looking at getting a new case, but I love some of these features. Guess I'll keep looking at some of the other be quiet! cases then. Thanks for the video!

[@sebastiaandekooter434]

Nice, was waiting for a review of the Dark Base 700 from you :).

[@MegadetH666ksa]

DON'T SHAVE!!!! EVER!!!

[@HardwareCanucks]

NEVER AGAIN! -D

[@magentapurpleyap5566]

@@HardwareCanucks i love you with your beard.

[@storybookbus0314]

I really hope that accessories come out for those of us who own the Dark Base Pro 900.... I'd love to continue my Dark Base Pro 900 since it's such a nice case.

[@yotuanyboi6201]

Awesome as always. You and gamer nexus are the best at case reviews.

[@sheercold13]

If it wasn't for the limited top exhaust, I'd love this case.

[@BlueTheRage]

It would be perfect if it had proper airflow in the front and out the top, I agree.

[@5ch4cht3l7]

Blue You yould cut a hole in the front and top panel and replace it with mesh

[@sheercold13]

JanPlaysStrategic I shouldn't have to cut any holes anywhere for a $180 case.

[@BlueTheRage]

That is true, But you would expect a high end case like this to come with adequate ventilation already right ?

[@sheercold13]

Blue Yeah. You pay the premium to get the best of the best, without having any corners cut. This case unfortunately, leaves a lot to be desired.

[@MidnightBanshi]

I cannot believe they would put out a case that'll support up to a 420MM RAD, yet choke off the airflow like that up top! Seriously, BeQuiet....what were you thinking here? Also, I've read that if you pop off that front panel with the power on, it can cause the system to bonk up - also those contact points....they should have been a bit better implemented. On a side note....Dmitry...you are the gold standard for presentation and b-roll. Just a class act all the way!

[@HardwareCanucks]

We keep doing what we love :) but dam, i haven't experienced any system instabilities while taking off the front panel.

[@yahtadi5152]

Uh huh

[@LordMustangGT93]

custom loop people will love this case, inverted to see fluid in cards. And get a hole saw for the top for fan holes, lol, and cut some of the inside around the front cover for better air flow and it will be perfect. I own a Dark Base 600TG already. Fav case is still my x99 Define S build, but this one almost makes me want to build in it.

[@VanilloBumbleboo1981]

The lit edges are a real treat, but I'm still in love with my Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX Tempered Glass cases! I'm not going to cheat on 'em.

[@thathorrorshow4126]

Bad ass case but limited air going out it's a bummer. Dammit. I love the fact it has the 3.1 USB on the front. But that limited airflow is killing me big time. Thanks for the video. I've seen some reviews on it but your the first to point the airflow issue. I don't think I'll buy it unless I'll use it for light browsing.i have a 570x from Corsair now and it's straight forward. Now my son wants his computer so I'll be looking around some more. Good video.

[@enthusiasticgamer88]

I'm weirdly sensitive to sound and don't see myself overclocking so definitely using this with a Dark Rock Pro 4, 2 added Silent Wings 3 fans and a be quiet PSU for my gaming build at the end of Nov. So stoked to put it together I haven't built a PC in 10 years!

[@senoow4215]

What u think of your build? I am finishing mine tomorrow with this case and low db psu etc :)

[@AeroDr]

I'm glad I opted for the 900 pro...The extra space really does open up a lot of flexibility...

[@Khen3021]

Thanks for this review! Youve answered my request on the comments.

[@Schmidt_Smith]

God, how I love your reviews

[@dusk6110]

I like this new guy! Really good opinions and insight. Kinda miss Dimitri though..

[@joaoneves9102]

My god, your videos are so perfect! I cannot even buy a PC but i love your videos Dmitri, keep the good job! :) (sorry if i wrote something wrong, im from Brazil)

[@-mrbright]

Epic intro as always!

[@leob6880]

intro is awesome ! btw nice review.

[@Neon8787]

Would definitely like to see actual temperature testing. I'm sure manufacturers do their own testing to see if their case "chokes" the system, and I always remember the LTT video where they filled a case with a bunch of shit and it didn't really get much hotter. Keep up the good work!

[@Atomicwarfear]

I got the 900 pro since i just loved the design. It's extremely quiet but i think this case would fit me better since I didn't need a full tower at all. But at the time i built my pc, I think it was the best case for me

[@HardwareMana]

The cases that actually focussed on airflow and temperatures were the Raven cases from Silverstone. The RV02 and the RV03 are still benchmarks in terms of air cooling. Now, it's all RGB and tempered glass.

[@fcs4284]

Maxima PC So true! I'm still rocking the Silverstone FT02 as it's the best case ever. Incredible air flow but super silent. 3x 180mm fans in the bottom and 90° inverted layout is unbeatable.

[@HardwareMana]

They don't make 'em like before! The FT02 is so SEXY! That train engine like design is unmatched. Seriously, it seems those were the only cases that actually had cooling in mind. The HAF X comes a close second. The new spiritual HAF is everything that is wrong with the current trends of half form and no functions.

[@fcs4284]

Maxima PC Somehow it's a general trend, looks and price over function and performance. Average is enough for most and so companies don't take the extra mile for the best possible product, not even for big $. That said its difficult times for very demanding users like us.

[@HardwareMana]

it is, indeed. They will learn soon.

[@Primate541]

Not the RL06?

[@jaystwopence]

realising just how amazing my phanteks enthoo atx case is

[@IronmanToday]

Soooo good this case,

[@Mutio86]

I think for the next version I want more detail work on the inside, a sandblasted outside and at least 3 fans to come with it. Still digging the design! I just got a Fractal Meshify C however.

[@Joshimitsu91]

The lighting and fan controller design with an optional motherboard override is very clever, should be the new standard on all cases.

[@KellenBluestein]

If a dark base mini tower comes out I will buy it in an instant. That would be awesome!

[@leepinnguin9682]

Xidax built my computer using this case. I really enjoy this very quiet case. I have had no problems with air-flow or anything you pointed out. For a person like me, it delivers everything I needed. Also, after I watched this video, the price (at least via this company) was more than 1/2 what you said you paid, and that is good. Wonderful videos, love your attention to detail but you find every negative so it could scare off people but if you stress you aren't being negative, you are just pointing out all the details but more positive points would be nice. I showed this to someone and they would never buy this case because they felt you pointed out so many negative things. I don't think you disliked it that much.

[@AlphaBackfire]

Yep, you know Demitri's B-Roll is on point when you don't realize your on a 144p mobile data connection until the face cam. 👍

[@47jokerly]

Yes PLEASE PLEASE do the Airflow/Temp test with different cases especially the NZXT and the be Quiet with the same set up that you have with Frontradiator and stuff. Its exactly the test i was looking for cause i cant decide between those 2 cases.

[@snoopingas2913]

I completely agree with everything you said in this video. It's a beautiful case, but I do feel like it is too long. This is definitely not a case for your average builder. I don't mind paying more for a good quality case, but I just don't feel like the H700i or Dark Base 700 met my expectations of that price.

[@kaileeinatree]

I (and many others) would like to see the gracious beard return!

[@markusbock3364]

I don't care about the invertible motherboard layout but being able to assemble and isntall my motherboard outside the case and AFTERWARDS install my cooler is such a great feature that i'd almost buy the case for it alone (LOOKING AT YOU MOTHERBOARD SCREW TOP LEFT)

[@chucklos391]

Why is airflow such a constant problem with new case offerings? Airflow is hugely important so that our hardware does not overheat and we can overclock comfortably.

[@etwisabeta]

I wish bequiet made an itx case like bequiet dark base 500 or 300

[@KrMaHo]

I like inverted setups, but its a subjective matter. Be Quiet has actually made a case I actually like! with the exception of the bad airflow up front (which can easily be modded) I really like this case, as its a strong contender for both the define S and evolv ATX!

[@angrygoldfish]

Temperature testing by two other reviewers showed the Dark Base 700 performing extremely well. Though the same issue with top mounted radiators that occurs in the Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV, where hot air exhausted from the radiators falls back into the main chamber, is likely to be an issue here. I used to think that solid panels and faster fan speeds were the way to go to balance noise and performance, but I think Caselabs approach of having low spinning fans with no restrictions (including no dust filters) in the case paneling is the better way. I'd rather have fans spinning at 600 RPM while idle and 800-900 RPM while under load in an 'open' chassis than faster fans in a closed chassis.

[@ibrahimb6226]

Would have been perfect if it had better airflow. Guess I will be holding on to my Define S until Fractal makes a bigger Meshify, or if Phanteks makes an Evolv ATX with a mesh front panel.

[@davidw7269]

I have words for Dmitry. It is more than 11 screws to completely flip this case. I have been waiting for a new good invertable case for years now, as I am fully committed to having my case on the left side of the desk. To swap everything over, including the lower hard drive case, the front panel I/O cables, the top rad/fan mount and the top panel also needs to be removed. There are 11 screws holding the top panel alone. 4 for the plate that holds the two lower drive trays. 9 for the motherboard tray. Add in all the thumbscrews and it comes to about 40 in all. Fortunately, they are all distinctive and it was easy to keep them all organized, used correctly and I had none left over. WTB - Good fingerprint remover.

[@DonJohn87_YT]

_"Hey this is Baby Dimitri from Hardware Canucks"_ :P

[@HansTechTalk]

You are the best gadget reviewer

[@HardwareCanucks]

+Sean Mark thank you 💪

I just ordered it! 😄

[@n0ldgr769]

Like you said with nzxt setting a new bar for cable management I think fractal with the meshify c has set a bar for airflow with modern elements In design for a case. I would personally be ok with using the meshify c but I also want to use a Asus Strix gpu and a 280mm radiator and have a feeling that clearance will be a problem great review btw nice to hear there will be some more reviews when it regards thermals on cases

[@quantumdot7393]

demetri plz review the quadsteller when it comes out. it is my fav case in the market and would love it if i goes through the hardware canucks treatment

[@shinjiikari7135]

I like the honesty in the video, not so much the case

[@steeventide]

Looks awesome but too expensive for me, I stick with the SilentBase 600 instead. Thanks Dimitri for this awesome review

[@sunlink103]

Review on that Silent Loop coming up?

[@iivarilappalainen9836]

wish they had "air" version of this case with mesh front and more airy top. I was thinking id buy this, but instead went with barebones Silverstone Redline in the end.

[@andre_renard]

If it isn't already planned, I'd love to see your take on the Lian Li Alpha 550.

[@magentapurpleyap5566]

Nice case

[@evgeniy4145]

Спасибо Дима. Выбираю между be quiet! Dark Base 700 и Fractal Define 7

[@xavierrodriguez2463]

It also has a vertical Expansion Card mount.

[@lantacytsirdrigar1141]

Aww yeah! Have been waiting for it so loooong... :D

[@zackerymcpherson9409]

I like Corsair 600q because of its silence and airflow

[@norbertbalaz5281]

I got the Evolv TG ATX for the same price (which was also pricy ) and it offers more, unless you dont care about inverting your system. In both cases (this wont get old :P ) you probably need to mod the panels to get proper airflow

[@itsdeonlol]

EPIC INTRO!

[@MrLagzy]

If Cooler Master made mesh front and top on the H500P - you could easily buy high airflow 200mm fans with incredibly low noise - Totally opposite of this blocked front and top where you end up needing static pressure fans that makes so much more noise. I'd really like to see more development in low noise high airflow fans that can be used for meshed cases.

[@eriksherman2119]

Love the intro music. Is it publicly available?

[@Thatguy33333]

Hey dimitri you should do a review of the nfc s4 mini. Do it for all the sff fans.

[@Lucian_Andries]

Epic music!!

[@lonster3000]

You had me at inverted layout.

[@NIGHTHAWK0007]

My thought if you can mod the front panel to have bigger opening to take air in, would it work?

[@Erowens98]

How hard would it have been for them to cut those choking tabs behind the vents? I'm sure that would make a difference to airflow (and thus allow lower fan speeds)

[@migm16]

when the mobo is inverted is there space to fit the h150i with push pull on the top of the case.

[@JadeB628]

it's a very nice looking case. but with one major flaw. the top part where 80% of heat is concentrated is closed or has very poor ventilation. that heat that can't escape to the outside of the case gets recirculated back in the case which causes and rise of temps in the entire case. same problem with Base 900

[@nmn622]

Would totally buy it but i don't have the space.. It's too big to fit on my desk. Getting the s340 elite instead.

[@N4lax]

i think it would be better to mod that front panel for giving more openings and changing that filter to not restrict so much airflow

[@patrickgeng2254]

Some people mentioned how when using a 140 mm radiator it interfered with the ram and you could not use high ram (RGB). But if you use a 120mm radiator is the issue the same?

[@canadianbacon2711]

You look so much younger without a beard, also a lot less Canadian XD

[@rbvishnunarayanan9109]

So pretty much we can cut the top ventilation ourselves for out take? It's modular so pull out everything and get ur hands dirty?

[@HnK_Alex]

My DB Pro 900 has realy low front airflow when the pannel is closed too. I leave it open all the time to get 10 degrees less on the cpu on load. i7 7740x and H115 with triple 140s. Two up front and one in the back.

[@Benyo8990]

They need to release an Itx case 😁

[@thedappergapple1616]

I have a silver stone kublai klo7 it is a beast for the price wish it had tempered glass

[@10THPROPHET]

What if you modded the top and front panels to have a mesh for air flow?

[@AakashDoshi2003]

your face is sooo smooth

[@Destroyed007]

And here's the continued, exact trend of a case with a void at the front of the interior, the front that looks like the plains of the Bonneville Salt Flats; albeit, smoother than theirs, and the side panels filled with glass cladding, just like those ones used on 7 World Trade Center

[@KatanaFlare]

Hey, would you be willing to do a temperature review of this case? Ideally, testing an i9 7900x and a GTX 1080ti in two radiator configurations, top and front. So we can see if this case would would/wouldn't keep the CPU and GPU cool. Only ask because I really like the 700 be quiet case, but I feel I'll need to get the 900 be quiet case, to be safe.

[@VDRC_PT]

Good case but it's a shame not to have the continuity of the led in the back of the case, but a good case, a good job continuation Dimitri...

[@5ean5ean22]

Why are companies so afraid of a mesh front and top panels? Fuck airflow...give them more Tempered glass and RGB.

[@ntonio1997]

BIG UP!

[@ileolai]

1. Dust 2. Noise

[@davideverett2]

5ean 5ean, Hi, Having a more open front would be better but depending on where the PC sits a solid roof is a good option, It's a shame it doesn't come with a second top panel, and a second front panel while we're at it, It'd take it being modular to another level and I'd happily spend a bit extra to have the additional parts for if I need them as long as they don't go silly about how much it'd cost, My current case has an open roof where a 240 rad would fit & in the past has but with the case sitting on the floor to the left of my desk I'm always having to be careful with my drinks, Being left-handed also doesn't help but the more modular the better.

[@fredericcudeiro6614]

@@ileolai As for noise, this is much more complicated than that! If your setup has other noise sources than the cooling fans, for example water cooling pump(s), hard drive(s), graphic card and/or PSU suffering from noticeable 'coil whine', etc., then 'semi-closed' cases like the BeQuiet! Dark Base 700 are quite efficient to mitigate annoying noises. But, this is a completely different story when it comes to thermal performance vs. noise! If you equal noise level, it is very likely a case with a more opened design would perform better thermally speaking. If you equal thermal performances, it is very likely a case with more opened design would make...less noise than the 'semi-closed' case. Gamers Nexus did some practical tests confirming that. Of course, this is over-simplification and on a case by case ( :D ) basis, you may want to choose one or the other. For example, in my case the GPU and CPU AIO pumps, are the main noise sources in idle. I value quiet operation in idle state over quiet operation in full load. Thus, a 'semi-closed' case is a good trad-off. More quiet in idle, mitigating the pumps noise, even if in full load the additional impedance caused by the case design requires the fan to run louder (even if the case absorbs some of this noise).

[@fredericcudeiro6614]

@@ileolai As for dust, a properly designed 'opened' case should not get more dust into it. That is actually the contrary! The higher the air entrance surface, the lower the air velocity and the less dust particles the airflow will carry. Also, the lower the impedance of the 'desired air entrance' (where you have your dust filter and want the air to enter), the less you will get 'secondary air entrance' paths through the other case openings. Especially if you manage your fan placement and speed control so you maintain a 'postive pressure' inside the case.

[@DarkPa1adin]

would it be loud if you remove the front panel for air flow?

[@yendak]

Is there any ETA for the follow up video about temperatures?

[@tahsinalam8256]

Please make a video testing the temps

[@VashSky77]

I'm shocked at how close Be Quiet were from producing a great case and how exactly they fell so short in the end. Seriously, what were they thinking with that airflow at the front? It's funny, they tried sealing the fans off thinking of aesthetics and silence, knowingly disregarding airflow but failing to consider turbulence. Because you cut off the airflow, you almost introduce more noise as the hardware rattles from the fans struggling to get as much air as the user requests depending on the setting of the speed controller. Then, add in stupid stuff like the lack of any exhaust at the top or cut outs and/or space behind the shroud for cabling is totally inexcusable at that price point. I love the aesthetics, the modular design and the switching of the motherboard trays; they are great ideas, but those previously mentioned oversights cannot be tolerated at that price point. Shame because they were SO close. Great review sir, as always.

[@LevvyKlister]

I don't like airflow I this case, I think if you mod top and front to be open then it's ok, still nzxt did a better job with last case imho.

[@ajafterparty]

which nzxt case

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Very good video Dmitry. I am really enjoying your creativity with these videos. You are definitely developing as a video producer.

[@HardwareCanucks]

+ricky v thanks 👌

[@djfunzdjfunz]

Still waiting for a NZXT H440 layout with good airflow. Will it ever happen?

[@briandammpetersen22]

Compared to the Phanteks Evolv TG, would you consider the Dark Base 700 to a louder or quieter case?

[@Pabula]

Can you fit 3x 140mm on the front? the video shows 3 fans but i see a rad on the backgound so im assuming its a 360. Unsure if it can fit 3x 140 or just 3x 120?

[@MrAce30011]

Just bought this case second hand a few days ago to replace my Corsair carbide 600c

[@Gilmore74]

InsertNameHere how has it worked out for you? I bought one today but just seeing comments on airflow issues :/

[@kovachattack]

Are you going to review the Lian Li Alpha 550?

[@avgjoesgamin9935]

ive been looking for an inverted mid tower, with glass not plastic.. very interesting..

[@lolish1234]

How is the airflow, can someone shine some light here? Because I am about to buy Define S, but this looks quite good, except I'm not sure about top ventilation

[@kdfosifki]

Great review. If only they would improve their airflow access. I would buy the shit out of this.

[@Zandroid01]

who are you and what did you do to dmitri?

[@hellowill]

MESHIFY C is case of the year dude. Front is non restrictive but actually attractive mesh with the diamond looking design. I think these open fronts are quieter since fans can run super slow.

[@sceancrottynesi1638]

With all this good high static pressure fans, it's impossible that manufacturers didn't actually want to choke their front panels intentionally in order to achieve newer designs. I like this new design BTW

[@michaeltaylor9223]

*Can someone give please list of top 5 best cases of 2017?* and what is the most important thing to look out for when buying a case?

[@samurai2371]

I already have the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv TG! what about with this?