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be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Fractal Design Meshify 2: Comparison
be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Fractal Design Meshify 2 gpu clearance compared
There is no decisive spec gap here. Gpu clearance splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, be quiet! Dark Base 901 470 mm against Fractal Design Meshify 2 461 mm. There is a split on typical price as well, 210 USD on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 150 USD on the Fractal Design Meshify 2. Dimensions is not the same on both, 547 x 240 x 522mm on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 474 x 233 x 495mm on the Fractal Design Meshify 2.
Who each one is for
The be quiet! Dark Base 901 is the one to take for Quiet high-end builds and E-ATX motherboards, though it is not built for budget builds and small desks. The Fractal Design Meshify 2 suits E-ATX motherboards and NAS or storage-heavy builds, though it is not the pick for small desks or tight spaces and minimalist builds that don't need drive bays. Our rating of the be quiet! Dark Base 901 (8.5/10): nearly all of the Dark Base Pro 901 experience for less money, with genuinely quiet stock fans. Our rating of the Fractal Design Meshify 2 (8.5/10): the full-size, storage-flexible option in Fractal's mesh lineup, built for E-ATX boards and big radiators.
Which is cheaper, be quiet! Dark Base 901 or Fractal Design Meshify 2?
At the last price check the Fractal Design Meshify 2 was $150 and the be quiet! Dark Base 901 $210, a 40% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Dark Base 901 and Fractal Design Meshify 2 differ on cpu cooler clearance?
Yes. CPU Cooler Clearance reads 195 mm on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 185 mm on the Fractal Design Meshify 2.
Is the Included Fans the same on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 and Fractal Design Meshify 2?
It is. Both are listed at 3, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- be quiet!
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- Fractal Design
Motherboard Support
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Full-Tower
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- Mid-Tower
Model
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Dark Base 901
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- Meshify 2
Panel Type
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Tempered glass, tool-free removable
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- Angular mesh front, tempered glass side
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 470 mmBest
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- 461 mm-2%
Typical Price
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 210 USD
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- 150 USD
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 195 mmBest
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- 185 mm-5%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 3
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- 3
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Front up to 420mm, top up to 420mm
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- Front up to 420mm, top up to 360mm
Front USB-C
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Yes
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- Yes
Dimensions
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 547 x 240 x 522mm
- Fractal Design Meshify 2
- 474 x 233 x 495mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Dark Base 901 if you want the higher GPU clearance (470 mm vs 461 mm), the higher CPU cooler clearance (195 mm vs 185 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 3).
Choose Fractal Design Meshify 2 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Dark Base 901 | Fractal Design Meshify 2 |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $210.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| Amazon | $150.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Fractal Design Store | View on Fractal Design Store |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
be quiet! Dark Base 901
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
Nearly all of the Dark Base Pro 901 experience for less money, with genuinely quiet stock fans.
Fractal Design Meshify 2
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The full-size, storage-flexible option in Fractal's mesh lineup, built for E-ATX boards and big radiators.