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be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs NZXT H1 V2: Comparison
be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs NZXT H1 V2: the cpu cooler clearance difference
The gap that matters here is cpu cooler clearance: be quiet! Pure Base 501 178 mm against NZXT H1 V2 60 mm, which puts be quiet! Pure Base 501 66% ahead. Included fans runs the same way, 2 on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 1 on the NZXT H1 V2, another win for be quiet! Pure Base 501. Gpu clearance runs the same way, 368 mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 325 mm on the NZXT H1 V2, another win for be quiet! Pure Base 501.
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 the pick for high-wattage GPU airflow builds and showcase RGB aesthetics. Buy the NZXT H1 V2 for desk-side compact gaming PCs with a single GPU and builders who want a pre-solved cooling loop, though it is the wrong buy for anyone who wants to pick their own AIO or PSU and high-wattage GPUs beyond the bundled PSU's headroom. 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 NZXT H1 V2 (7.5/10): A great pick if the specific bundled AIO and PSU fit your build plan, but its closed design makes it a poor choice if you want to choose your own cooler.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and NZXT H1 V2 differ on radiator support?
Yes. Radiator Support reads Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 140mm AIO pre-installed only on the NZXT H1 V2.
Is the Front USB-C the same on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and NZXT H1 V2?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, 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
- NZXT H1 V2
- Mini-ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Mid-Tower
- NZXT H1 V2
- SFF / Mini-ITX
Panel Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Steel side panel, solid front with sound-dampening mats
- NZXT H1 V2
- Tempered glass side panel
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 368 mmBest
- NZXT H1 V2
- 325 mm-12%
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 178 mmBest
- NZXT H1 V2
- 60 mm-66%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 2Best
- NZXT H1 V2
- 1-50%
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm
- NZXT H1 V2
- 140mm AIO pre-installed only
Case Volume
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 39.2 L
- NZXT H1 V2
- 19.9 L
Front USB-C
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Yes
- NZXT H1 V2
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Pure Base 501 if you want the higher GPU clearance (368 mm vs 325 mm), the higher CPU cooler clearance (178 mm vs 60 mm) and the higher included fans (2 vs 1).
Choose NZXT H1 V2 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Pure Base 501 | NZXT H1 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $90.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| NZXT Store | View on NZXT 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.
NZXT H1 V2
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A great pick if the specific bundled AIO and PSU fit your build plan, but its closed design makes it a poor choice if you want to choose your own cooler.