Be Quiet! Silent Base 600 Review

The most striking thing about the Base 600 may be the large window but the overall look is pretty clean.  The more traditional size is accented nicely with angular transitions and the door hides components to preserve the look.  Adding the accent color around the window really makes it pop.

The window is made from a double glazed polycarbonate and measures 325 x 325mm (~about 12.8 x 12.8 inches).  The double glazing adds strength to the side panel and prevents noise transfer.  Nice!  The tradeoff is the loss of the side vent we saw in our Base 800.  Both windows are mounted via screws making the second window removable if space is an issue or you want to try a window mod here.

Centered on the left we do have the vent to break up the usual plan side panel.  This vent can hold an optional 120mm fan and has a wire mesh dust cover.  In practice this vent sits directly in the center of the motherboard and almost completely below the heat sink access.  It looks nice but I don’t see much need for a fan in most builds.

The top of the case has a series of 6 vent slots to let your two optional 120/140mm fans breathe.  If it seems to you there isn’t much room for airflow, you are right.  The removable top cover is designed to have air channels above the fans venting directly out the back of the case. These ½ inch channels move air and also act as noise baffles.  I would have loved to see the Base 600 come with at least one fan here but really could see this as a radiator location in a silent build.

Four large feet provide the foundation replacing the detachable oversized rails we saw on the Base 800.  A rubber pad provides grip and reduces vibration.  Almost an inch of clearance gives the bottom power supply and optional 120/140mm fan room to breathe through a nice removable mesh cover that slides right out the back.

The oversized button on top lights up and is easy to find without needing you to look for it.   The usual I/O panel is tilted to give equal access from the top and the front.  This panel is mounted directly to the chassis. If you look closely you can see a tiny white reset button just behind the panel.

A reversible door covers the three front 5.25” drive bays and has its own layer of noise deadening material.  If you look closely, there is a small three position fan controller above the drives.  This controller can support up to three fans.  Nice touch.  The little handle at eth bottom is actually the filters for eth front panel fans.  You simply pull it out of the slot like a piece of toast.  This is the first time I have seen something like this and its definitely clever.