Aimed at lower temperatures. BeQuiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow

A simple, yet “effective” case. That’s one way you could title an article analyzing the BeQuiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow (BG074). The test model features solid metal panels on both sides – non-transparent – each lined with sound-dampening material. Foam. In short, you’re dealing with a design rooted in the old school, something increasingly rare these days. Despite that, the purchase price of this case remains relatively low, close to the ground.

While the recently reviewed “DX” model represents the top of the BeQuiet! Pure Base 501 lineup, the “Airflow” variant is more of a basic entry. You’ll recognize this right away by the fact that both side panels are made of metal (instead of one being glass), which some users may actually see as an advantage. And the lower price – in line with the more modest features – is likely attractive to just about everyone. While several design elements clearly indicate cost savings, there’s still a strong emphasis on cooling. After all, there’s a reason this case carries the “Airflow” designation.

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The BeQuiet! Pure Base 501 Airflow sports a classic tower design – measuring 463 mm in height (including feet), 450 mm in depth, and 231 mm in width. Unlike its DX sibling, the Airflow model features solid steel side panels instead of tempered glass, and it omits any ARGB lighting elements. Where the DX version includes light guides running along the front panel, the Airflow model does away with them entirely, opting instead for a fully perforated front.

The perforated front is covered with holes approximately 1.6 mm in diameter. This perforation spans the entire surface. On the Pure Base 501 DX, the center of the panel and areas with light guides are solid, meaning non-breathable. This makes the Pure Base 501 Airflow panel more breathable. The question, of course, is how it impacts cooling. The effect on airflow is certainly positive, though not dramatically so – the improvement is relatively minor. Still, it’s fair to say that in terms of front panel cooling, there’s some “improvement.”

Connectivity-wise, the case keeps up with current standards. The front panel features a 10-gigabit USB-C port (standard 3.2 Gen 2), flanked by two USB-A ports with 5 Gb/s speeds. Both standards take full advantage of the internal connectors available for front panel use, maximizing compatibility with what motherboards can generally support. That said, it’s ideal to use the second 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector as well, but many motherboards don’t include this header, which would leave some ports inactive anyway. As configured, it supports everything a modern motherboard typically offers – assuming, of course, it’s a newer model.

Both side panels are solid with no openings – including the right one. This design preserves air pressure within the case and also prevents noise from escaping through any hypothetical vents (as would happen with perforated panels), making for quieter operation. Especially with the Pure Base 501 line, as seen in the DX variant review, the metal side panels are lined with sound-dampening material. This is present here as well, which we’ll revisit in chapter two of this article.

At the bottom of the case is a large dust filter. It’s made of nylon and features a finer structure (which improves its effectiveness in capturing very small particles) and can be washed with water.

Cleaning the filter is straightforward, as is removing it. It’s secured by side-mounted brackets protruding from the case’s frame. These form a sort of rail system that works quite well – the filter slides out smoothly and is just as easy to slide back in. For added ease of handling, there’s a grip on one of the shorter edges.

Please note: The article continues in the following chapters.