Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs Fractal Design Terra: Comparison
What is the difference between be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Fractal Design Terra?
On cpu cooler clearance the spread is 63%, be quiet! Pure Base 501 178 mm against Fractal Design Terra 65 mm, so be quiet! Pure Base 501 takes it. be quiet! Pure Base 501 also leads on gpu clearance, 368 mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 326 mm on the Fractal Design Terra. There is a split on typical price as well, 90 USD on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 210 USD on the Fractal Design Terra. Dimensions is not the same on both, 450 x 231 x 449mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 382 x 210 x 226mm on the Fractal Design Terra.
be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs Fractal Design Terra: which one fits your build
Buy the be quiet! Pure Base 501 for noise-sensitive builds and home office or shared-room PCs, though it is the wrong buy for high-wattage GPU airflow builds and showcase RGB aesthetics. The Fractal Design Terra is the one to take for desk-visible SFF builds and living room or studio PCs, though it is not built for tall air-cooler builds and E-ATX or ATX motherboards. Our rating of the be quiet! Pure Base 501 (7.5/10): A solid, unfussy silent case for people who want lower noise more than they want RGB or max airflow. Our rating of the Fractal Design Terra (8/10): the best-looking SFF case on a desk, with real thermal tradeoffs to match its layout.
Which is cheaper, be quiet! Pure Base 501 or Fractal Design Terra?
The Fractal Design Terra asks 133% more, $210 against $90.00 for the be quiet! Pure Base 501.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Fractal Design Terra differ on radiator support?
Yes. Radiator Support reads Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus Top up to 240mm on the Fractal Design Terra.
Is the Included Fans the same on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Fractal Design Terra?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- be quiet!
- Fractal Design Terra
- Fractal Design
Motherboard Support
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
- Fractal Design Terra
- Mini-ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Mid-Tower
- Fractal Design Terra
- SFF / Mini-ITX
Model
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Pure Base 501
- Fractal Design Terra
- Terra
Panel Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Steel side panel, solid front with sound-dampening mats
- Fractal Design Terra
- Anodized aluminum side panels, tempered glass top window
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 368 mmBest
- Fractal Design Terra
- 326 mm-11%
Typical Price
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 90 USD
- Fractal Design Terra
- 210 USD
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 178 mmBest
- Fractal Design Terra
- 65 mm-63%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 2
- Fractal Design Terra
- 2
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm
- Fractal Design Terra
- Top up to 240mm
Front USB-C
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Yes
- Fractal Design Terra
- Yes
Dimensions
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 450 x 231 x 449mm (L x W x H, excl. stands)
- Fractal Design Terra
- 382 x 210 x 226mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Pure Base 501 if you want the higher GPU clearance (368 mm vs 326 mm), the higher CPU cooler clearance (178 mm vs 65 mm) and the higher included fans (2 vs 2).
Choose Fractal Design Terra if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Pure Base 501 | Fractal Design Terra |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $90.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| Fractal Design Store | $210.00 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! Pure Base 501
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A solid, unfussy silent case for people who want lower noise more than they want RGB or max airflow.
Fractal Design Terra
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The best-looking SFF case on a desk, with real thermal tradeoffs to match its layout.




