Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
be quiet! Shadow Base 800 vs NZXT H9 Flow: Comparison
be quiet! Shadow Base 800 vs NZXT H9 Flow: the cpu cooler clearance difference
On cpu cooler clearance the spread is 8%, be quiet! Shadow Base 800 180 mm against NZXT H9 Flow 165 mm, so be quiet! Shadow Base 800 takes it. Panel type is not the same on both, Tempered glass window side panel, open mesh front and... on the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 versus Wraparound tempered glass on the NZXT H9 Flow. They differ on case volume too, 62.74 L on the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 versus 76.7 L on the NZXT H9 Flow. They differ on dimensions too, 550 x 247 x 503mm on the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 versus 506 x 315 x 481 mm on the NZXT H9 Flow.
be quiet! Shadow Base 800 vs NZXT H9 Flow: which one fits your build
The be quiet! Shadow Base 800 suits home-office or bedroom builds needing low noise and 360mm AIO builds that also want dampening, though it is the wrong buy for RGB showcase builds wanting a glass front and extreme airflow builds prioritizing max CFM over silence. Take the NZXT H9 Flow for serious custom-loop builders who want dual-chamber design with 420mm radiator support at two locations. It is the wrong buy for buyers on a tighter budget who don't need that much radiator headroom. Our rating of the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 (8.5/10): the best quiet-focused case in be quiet!'s lineup for anyone who also wants serious radiator support, without paying flagship Dark Base Pro pricing. Our rating of the NZXT H9 Flow (8.5/10): dual-chamber showcase design with 420mm radiator support in two locations.
Frequently asked questions
Do the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 and NZXT H9 Flow differ on gpu clearance?
Yes. GPU Clearance reads 430 mm on the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 versus Up to 459 mm on the NZXT H9 Flow.
Is the Included Fans the same on the be quiet! Shadow Base 800 and NZXT H9 Flow?
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! Shadow Base 800
- be quiet!
- NZXT H9 Flow
- NZXT
Motherboard Support
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
- NZXT H9 Flow
- ATX, mATX, ITX
Case Type
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- Mid-Tower
- NZXT H9 Flow
- Mid-Tower
Model
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- Shadow Base 800
- NZXT H9 Flow
- H9 Flow
Panel Type
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- Tempered glass window side panel, open mesh front and top
- NZXT H9 Flow
- Wraparound tempered glass
GPU Clearance
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- 430 mm
- NZXT H9 Flow
- Up to 459 mm (410 mm with 56 mm thick 420 mm AIO and front fans)Best
CPU Cooler Clearance
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- 180 mmBest
- NZXT H9 Flow
- 165 mm-8%
Included Fans
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- 3
- NZXT H9 Flow
- 3
Radiator Support
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- Front 420mm, top 420mm, rear 120mm
- NZXT H9 Flow
- Up to 420mm (top and front)
Case Volume
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- 62.74 L
- NZXT H9 Flow
- 76.7 L
Expansion Slots
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- 7
- NZXT H9 Flow
- 7
Dimensions
- be quiet! Shadow Base 800
- 550 x 247 x 503mm (L x W x H, excl. stands)
- NZXT H9 Flow
- 506 x 315 x 481 mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose be quiet! Shadow Base 800 if you want the higher CPU cooler clearance (180 mm vs 165 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 3).
Choose NZXT H9 Flow if you want the higher GPU clearance (Up to 459 mm (410 mm with 56 mm thick 420 mm AIO and front fans) vs 430 mm).
Price comparison
| Retailer | be quiet! Shadow Base 800 | NZXT H9 Flow |
|---|---|---|
| be quiet! Store | View on be quiet! Store | |
| Consumercarts listing | $170.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
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! Shadow Base 800
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The best quiet-focused case in be quiet!'s lineup for anyone who also wants serious radiator support, without paying flagship Dark Base Pro pricing.
NZXT H9 Flow
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
Dual-chamber showcase design with 420mm radiator support in two locations.