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be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs Montech X3 Mesh: Comparison
What is the difference between be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Montech X3 Mesh?
Included fans is where these two genuinely part company, be quiet! Pure Base 501 2 against Montech X3 Mesh 3, a 33% lead for Montech X3 Mesh. Cpu cooler clearance runs the same way, 178 mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 160 mm on the Montech X3 Mesh, another win for be quiet! Pure Base 501. There is a split on case volume as well, 39.2 L on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 39 L on the Montech X3 Mesh.
Who each one is for
The be quiet! Pure Base 501 suits noise-sensitive builds and home office or shared-room PCs, though it is not built for high-wattage GPU airflow builds and showcase RGB aesthetics. The Montech X3 Mesh is the one to take for entry-level gaming builds on a tight budget and builders who want ARGB fans included at a low price, though it is the wrong buy for large flagship GPUs needing 380mm+ clearance and 360mm radiator builds. 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 Montech X3 Mesh (7/10): A genuinely solid budget pick if you want three ARGB fans and USB-C without spending much, but not built for large GPUs or big radiators.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Montech X3 Mesh differ on gpu clearance?
Yes. GPU Clearance reads 368 mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 335 mm on the Montech X3 Mesh.
Is the Motherboard Support the same on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Montech X3 Mesh?
It is. Both are listed at ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Motherboard Support
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
- Montech X3 Mesh
- ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Mid-Tower
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Mid-Tower
Panel Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Steel side panel, solid front with sound-dampening mats
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Mesh front panel, tempered glass side
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 368 mmBest
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 335 mm-9%
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 178 mmBest
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 160 mm-10%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 2-33%
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 3Best
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Front 240mm, Top 240mm
Case Volume
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 39.2 L
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 39 L
Front USB-C
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Yes
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Pure Base 501 if you want the higher GPU clearance (368 mm vs 335 mm) and the higher CPU cooler clearance (178 mm vs 160 mm).
Choose Montech X3 Mesh if you want the higher included fans (3 vs 2).
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Pure Base 501 | Montech X3 Mesh |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $90.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| Montech | View on Montech |
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.
Montech X3 Mesh
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely solid budget pick if you want three ARGB fans and USB-C without spending much, but not built for large GPUs or big radiators.