be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 – Outstanding high-end case

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be quiet!, the German manufacturer for premium PC components, presents Dark Base Pro 901. This long-anticipated successor to Dark Base Pro 900 is once again an absolute high-end case with groundbreaking features. Whether you prefer a virtually inaudible or an extremely performant case, Dark Base Pro 901 is the perfect choice. Smart design decisions when it comes to the top and front of the case lead to an outstanding flexibility and versatility. Building a system using an inverted layout is a breeze with Dark Base Pro 901, while ARGB lighting and vertical VGA installation ensure an ideal presentation of your build. To top it off, the upgraded 15W wireless charger charges your smartphone faster than ever before. Alongside Dark Base Pro 901, be quiet! also introduces its own Riser Cable and the new HDD Cage 2.

Silence and performance optimized

Dark Base Pro 901 features a silence-oriented and performance-optimized solution for the top and the front, thanks to exchangable panels included in the box. A detachable top and front bracket with included fan hub and pogo pin connector allows for a comfortable installation of radiators and fans. Even an inverted layout can be done easily thanks to an intuitive rail system. be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 makes good use of be quiet!’s award-winning Silent Wings 4 fans: thanks to their silence-optimized fan blades and funnel shaped fan frame, these fans make no compromises between virtually inaudible operation and high performance. Their extraordinary air pressure significantly increases the cooling performance of Dark Base Pro 901.

Maximum space for individual needs

With its remarkably large dimensions, be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 sets no limits on creativity. The front can fit a radiator of up to 420mm and additional fans can be installed throughout the case, even on the side panel. The VGA holder of Dark Base Pro 901 is very versatile and prevents GPU sag even with heavy graphics cards. Two cable bars, one located inside the VGA holder and the other next to the motherboard tray, hide the cables inside the case. Dark Base Pro 901 supports installation of one 5.25″ drive and two HDDs or six SSDs out of the box, with the option to expand this with 5x HDD or 10x SSD. The high-quality, fully-windowed tempered glass side panel offers a perfect view of the components inside your case. And just as important: Dark Base Pro 901 can be deployed without the hassle of additional screws and small parts, creating the optimal case for any build.

Silent Wings 4 PWM Fans: The Heart of Acoustic Excellence

At the core of the Pro 901’s silence are three pre-installed Silent Wings 4 140mm PWM fans—two at the front intake and one rear exhaust. be quiet!’s fourth-generation Silent Wings series, refined over years, represents the pinnacle of fan engineering. Each 140 x 140 x 25mm fan spins up to 1900 RPM via 4-pin PWM control, delivering 78.4 CFM airflow and 2.36 mmH2O static pressure at full tilt, yet caps noise at 29.3 dB(A)—comparable to a whisper in a library.

This balance stems from six optimized blades with anti-vortex dimples, a closed fan-wheel hub to eliminate bearing rattle, and a funnel-shaped frame that boosts pressure without turbulence. Rated for 300,000 hours MTBF at 25°C, they draw just 4.8W (0.4A at 12V), ensuring efficiency in idle or load.

From its generous interior space to its array of customizable options, this chassis emerges as a premium pick for both seasoned builders and beginners. The Dark Base Pro 901 checks nearly every box for the enthusiast crowd. Its extensive bundle of accessories provides flexibility to meet the needs of most users, even as those needs evolve—provided size isn’t a constraint. The construction is top-notch, and the design is visually striking, at least in my view. That said, perfection is elusive, and being particularly discerning with high-end gear, I spotted a few drawbacks, outlined here:
The PWM fan controllers could benefit from thicker wiring, especially for the one farther from the I/O panel that handles power delivery, to better accommodate high-powered fans. It lacks an ARGB controller, a feature even some budget cases include. The bottom panel covering the 5.25″ bay is unnecessarily difficult to access! Just two HDD cages are supplied; you’ll need to purchase extras if required. I’d argue for at least one more (or ideally two) in the box.
The downsides are limited, but the upsides are plentiful, including exceptional adaptability that makes this case a solid long-term investment. The ability to switch between quiet operation and maximum airflow is a key strength. In my evaluations—constrained by time—I focused on noise and thermal testing with the sound-dampening elements installed, fitting for a brand synonymous with silent builds. Stripping away those panels would enhance cooling by allowing better heat escape and airflow, but at the cost of increased noise. You can’t have the best of both worlds: true silence demands sealing off the interior, which inevitably raises internal temps. Ultimately, it’s about prioritizing what matters most—whisper-quiet performance or cooler components for a minor edge in efficiency.
The fans integrate seamlessly via dual PWM hubs (one front, one top) supporting up to eight fans total, with screwless mounting brackets that slide into place. No loose wires: pre-connected headers plug into the hubs, which route to a touch-sensitive controller on the I/O. Users can select five speed presets—from “Silent” (near-zero RPM for idle) to “Max” (full blast for stress tests)—or sync to motherboard PWM for automatic curves. APH Networks measured turbulence minimal even behind the front bracket, thanks to spacers that offset blades by 5mm, preventing the “whoosh” heard in lesser cases like the Phanteks P600S.
Cooling potential is staggering: up to three 140mm/120mm top fans (or 360mm radiator), three front (420mm rad), three side (360mm), one bottom (140mm), and the rear. This supports triple 420mm rad setups—rare for full-towers—ideal for custom loops. EnosTech praised the front fans’ positioning for direct GPU impingement, dropping temps 6°C versus stock configurations.

Subtle ARGB lighting and modern design touches

Dark Base Pro 901 features ARGB lighting on the front and the PSU shroud to ensure the case remains elegant with subtle illumination. The light and fan settings can be conveniently controlled via touch-sensitive buttons on the I/O panel. A wireless charger for Qi enabled devices and a full 3-year manufacturer’s warranty perfectly rounds up Dark Base Pro 901.

Now available: Riser Cable and HDD Cage 2

Alongside the introduction of Dark Base Pro 901, be quiet! also introduces two accessories that can be used with this and selected other cases in its product portfolio. The Riser Cable is a high-speed data transfer cable for PCIe 4.0 cards, compatible with all be quiet! cases that support vertical installation of the graphics card. It has an elegant all-black design and prevents sagging of the graphics card. Also new is the HDD Cage 2, a tool-free decoupled drive cage that fits one additional HDD or two SSDs in Dark Base Pro 901 and future cases.

be quiet! Dark Base Pro 901 is available from June 27 at a recommended retail price of €319.90 / $299.90 / £319.99. The Riser Cable and HDD Cage 2 are available on the same day for €59.90 / $54.90 / £59.99 and €9.90 / $9.90 / £9.99 respectively.

Dark Base Pro 901 Technical Data
Motherboard compatibility XL-ATX, E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, Mini-ATX
Case type     Full Tower
PSU        PS2 ATX (not included)
Dimensions            (L x W x H in mm) 603 x 254 x 569
Material Steel            (SGCC), ABS plastic, Aluminium
Weight          (kg) 16.3 (net) / 20.8 (gross)
I/O port                     1x USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type C, 4x USB 3.2, HD Audio
(mic + audio), fan controller, ARGB controller
PCI slots        8
Drive bays up to 16x 2.5 (6 included)
up to 7x 3.5 (2 included)
up to 1x 5.25 (1 included)
Preinstalled fans (mm) / (rpm) Front: 2x Silent Wings 4 PWM 140 / 1900
Rear:    1x Silent Wings 4 PWM 140 / 1900
Optional fans (mm) Front: 3x 140 / 120
Top:   3x 140 / 120
Side:   3x 120
Bottom:   1x 140 / 120
Rear:   1x 140 / 120
Optional radiators (mm) Front: 120 / 140 / 240 / 280 / 360 / 420
Top:     120 / 240 / 360
Side:    120 / 240 / 360
Rear:   120 / 140
Maximum dimensions (mm) CPU cooler: up to 190
PSU:    up to 288
GPU:    495
ATX motherboard:   350 (with HDD cage)
E-ATX motherboard:   370 (with HDD cage)
ARGB connector    3-pin

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