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be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Fractal Design North: Comparison
be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Fractal Design North: the gpu clearance difference
Gpu clearance is where these two genuinely part company, be quiet! Dark Base 901 470 mm against Fractal Design North 355 mm, a 24% lead for be quiet! Dark Base 901. Included fans runs the same way, 3 on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 2 on the Fractal Design North, another win for be quiet! Dark Base 901. Typical price is not the same on both, 210 USD on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 149 USD on the Fractal Design North.
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 the pick for budget builds and small desks. Buy the Fractal Design North for buyers wanting a distinctive, furniture-like case that still performs thermally and builders prioritising quiet stock operation. Avoid it for buyers planning around the absolute largest flagship GPUs, 355mm runs close to current flagship lengths. 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 North (9/10): A genuinely furniture-like ATX case that still cools and runs quietly, limited only by a 355mm GPU ceiling that flagship cards approach.
be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Fractal Design North price
The be quiet! Dark Base 901 asks 41% more, $210 against $149 for the Fractal Design North.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Dark Base 901 and Fractal Design North differ on radiator support?
Yes. Radiator Support reads Front up to 420mm, top up to 420mm on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 360mm on the Fractal Design North.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- be quiet!
- Fractal Design North
- Fractal Design
Motherboard Support
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Fractal Design North
- ATX
Case Type
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Full-Tower
- Fractal Design North
- Mid-Tower
Model
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Dark Base 901
- Fractal Design North
- North
Panel Type
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Tempered glass, tool-free removable
- Fractal Design North
- FSC-certified walnut wood front with mesh backing; mesh side panel option
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 470 mmBest
- Fractal Design North
- 355 mm-24%
Typical Price
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 210 USD
- Fractal Design North
- 149 USD
Included Fans
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 3Best
- Fractal Design North
- 2-33%
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Front up to 420mm, top up to 420mm
- Fractal Design North
- 360mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Dark Base 901 if you want the higher GPU clearance (470 mm vs 355 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 2).
Choose Fractal Design North if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Dark Base 901 | Fractal Design North |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $210.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| Amazon | $149.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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 North
9 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely furniture-like ATX case that still cools and runs quietly, limited only by a 355mm GPU ceiling that flagship cards approach.