be quiet! Light Base 500 LX Case Review

There are many ways to build a computer case.  Traditional towers are the most basic when it comes to design with the components all occupying a single space.  There have been attempts to segment or separate certain components and this created cases with room behind the motherboard tray for cable routing and basement panels to hide power supplies and internal drive bays.  These designs are inexpensive attempts at creating different chambers for performance and appearance.  Another popular design is what most call a dual chamber.  These cases are often shorter than a tower chassis and work to relocate certain components into a completely separate location and make the case wider.  Both designs achieve the same goal but create a very different visual design that tends to appeal to the modern system builder.

In this review we will be looking at the Light Base 500 LX from be quiet.  This dual chamber chassis design is a little different from what has been done previously in that the chambers have been reimagined to provide better cooling while still retaining the features that make this chassis style popular.

Unlike the Light Base 600 LX that we reviewed last year the smaller 500 LX is promoting a cleaner design that doesn’t try to do too much.  For instance, the Light Base 500 LX doesn’t allow you to change the orientation of the build but does provide some amazing support for a variety of different cooling options and system builds.

• Model: LIGHT BASE 500 LX | Black
• Color option: Black
• Motherboard compatibility: ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ATX
• Case size excl. stands (L x W x H), (mm): 432 x 305 x 410
• Case size incl. stands (L x W x H), (mm): 432 x 305 x 436
• Volume (l): 49,6
• PSU form factor: ATX PS/2
• Net weight (kg): 10,95
• Expansion slots: 7
• Maximum fans: 10
• Top (mm): 2x 140 / 3x 120
• Side (mm): 3x120
• Rear (mm): 1x 120 / 1x 140
• Bottom (mm): 3x 120
• 5 slots (max.): 1
• 5 slots (max.): 2
• Dimensions, package (L x W x H), (mm): 493 x 388 x 515
• Gross weight, package (kg): 14.6

Check out the be quiet website for more details on the Light Base 500 LX and other products in their catalog.