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be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs Phanteks P400A: Comparison
What is the difference between be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Phanteks P400A?
Start with included fans, because it is the widest measured gap between them: be quiet! Pure Base 501 2 against Phanteks P400A 3, 33% in favour of Phanteks P400A. Phanteks P400A also leads on gpu clearance, 368 mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 420 mm on the Phanteks P400A. be quiet! Pure Base 501 also leads on cpu cooler clearance, 178 mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus 160 mm on the Phanteks P400A. They differ on front usb-c too, Yes on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus No on the Phanteks P400A.
be quiet! Pure Base 501 vs Phanteks P400A: which one fits your build
The be quiet! Pure Base 501 suits 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 Phanteks P400A is the one to take for budget builds where front USB-C isn't a requirement and large GPU builds needing 420mm of clearance, though it is not the pick for anyone who needs front-panel USB-C and large air coolers over 160mm tall. 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 Phanteks P400A (7/10): A dated but still capable budget mesh case; worth buying only if it's discounted below current-generation alternatives like the XT Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Phanteks P400A differ on radiator support?
Yes. Radiator Support reads Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 versus Front 360mm, Top 240mm on the Phanteks P400A.
Is the Case Type the same on the be quiet! Pure Base 501 and Phanteks P400A?
It is. Both are listed at Mid-Tower, 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
- Phanteks P400A
- E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Mid-Tower
- Phanteks P400A
- Mid-Tower
Panel Type
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Steel side panel, solid front with sound-dampening mats
- Phanteks P400A
- Mesh front panel, tempered glass side
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 368 mm-12%
- Phanteks P400A
- 420 mmBest
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 178 mmBest
- Phanteks P400A
- 160 mm-10%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 2-33%
- Phanteks P400A
- 3Best
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Front 360mm, top 240mm, rear 140mm
- Phanteks P400A
- Front 360mm, Top 240mm
Case Volume
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- 39.2 L
- Phanteks P400A
- 48 L
Front USB-C
- be quiet! Pure Base 501
- Yes
- Phanteks P400A
- No
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Pure Base 501 if you want the higher CPU cooler clearance (178 mm vs 160 mm).
Choose Phanteks P400A if you want the higher GPU clearance (420 mm vs 368 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 2).
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Pure Base 501 | Phanteks P400A |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | $90.00 View on be quiet! Store | |
| Phanteks | View on Phanteks |
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.
Phanteks P400A
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A dated but still capable budget mesh case; worth buying only if it's discounted below current-generation alternatives like the XT Pro.