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be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Montech Air 903 Base: Comparison
be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Montech Air 903 Base: the gpu clearance difference
Start with gpu clearance, because it is the widest measured gap between them: be quiet! Dark Base 901 470 mm against Montech Air 903 Base 400 mm, 15% in favour of be quiet! Dark Base 901. Typical price is not the same on both, 210 USD on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 85 USD on the Montech Air 903 Base. There is a split on dimensions as well, 547 x 240 x 522mm on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 478 x 230 x 493 mm on the Montech Air 903 Base.
Which should you buy, be quiet! Dark Base 901 or Montech Air 903 Base?
The be quiet! Dark Base 901 suits Quiet high-end builds and E-ATX motherboards, though it is the wrong buy for budget builds and small desks. it is not the pick for buyers who want the Air 903 Max's additional premium features. It also earns its place with budget builders who want E-ATX support and large pre-installed fans without paying for the pricier Max variant. 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 Montech Air 903 Base (8/10): E-ATX support and three 140mm fans at a genuinely budget price.
be quiet! Dark Base 901 vs Montech Air 903 Base price
Cost splits them too. Montech Air 903 Base sits at $85.00, be quiet! Dark Base 901 at $210, 147% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Dark Base 901 and Montech Air 903 Base differ on cpu cooler clearance?
Yes. CPU Cooler Clearance reads 195 mm on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 versus 180 mm on the Montech Air 903 Base.
Is the Included Fans the same on the be quiet! Dark Base 901 and Montech Air 903 Base?
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!
- Montech Air 903 Base
- Montech
Motherboard Support
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Montech Air 903 Base
- E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Full-Tower
- Montech Air 903 Base
- Mid-Tower
Model
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Dark Base 901
- Montech Air 903 Base
- Air 903 Base
Panel Type
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Tempered glass, tool-free removable
- Montech Air 903 Base
- Tempered glass
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 470 mmBest
- Montech Air 903 Base
- 400 mm-15%
Typical Price
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 210 USD
- Montech Air 903 Base
- 85 USD
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 195 mmBest
- Montech Air 903 Base
- 180 mm-8%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 3
- Montech Air 903 Base
- 3
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Front up to 420mm, top up to 420mm
- Montech Air 903 Base
- Front 360mm, top 360mm
Front USB-C
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- Yes
- Montech Air 903 Base
- Yes
Dimensions
- be quiet! Dark Base 901
- 547 x 240 x 522mm
- Montech Air 903 Base
- 478 x 230 x 493 mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Dark Base 901 if you want the higher GPU clearance (470 mm vs 400 mm), the higher CPU cooler clearance (195 mm vs 180 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 3).
Choose Montech Air 903 Base if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Dark Base 901 | Montech Air 903 Base |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $210.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| Newegg | $85.00 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.
Montech Air 903 Base
8 / 10 Expert Rating
E-ATX support and three 140mm fans at a genuinely budget price.