German case manufacturer be quiet! has officially rolled out its new Light Base 500 series, bringing the successful design concepts of the larger Light Base 600 and 900 models to a more compact, mid-tower format. Starting October 21st, PC builders can get their hands on two variants: the RGB-equipped Light Base 500 LX and the no-frills Light Base 500.
A Different Angle on Cooling
What sets these cases apart is their angled slide-out fan frame mounted on the side panel. This triangular configuration isn’t just for show as it directs airflow towards the GPU. The frame also slides out from the top for easier fan installation, making maintenance less of a headache than traditional side-mounted configurations.
Both models ship with four pre-installed 120mm fans, though the execution differs between variants. The Light Base 500 LX includes Light Wings LX fans featuring 16 LEDs per fan hub for ARGB lighting, while the standard Light Base 500 gets Pure Wings 3 fans without the light show. Interestingly, three of these fans come with reversed blades for the side intake, keeping the eye-pleasing side visible while maintaining proper airflow direction.
KitGuru got a closer look at this case at Gamescom earlier this year:
Back to the Future of Cable Management
Looking ahead, be quiet! has equipped both models with support for backside connector motherboards like ASUS BTF, MSI Project Zero, and Gigabyte Project Stealth. These newer motherboard designs relocate most connectors to the rear, promising cleaner builds with virtually no visible cables. It’s a forward-thinking decision that shows be quiet! is paying attention to where the industry is heading.
The internal layout has room for up to 360mm radiators, regular ATX motherboards, and graphics cards stretching up to 400mm. Storage options are not as extensive as this is a mid-tower after all, but you get one 3.5″ HDD slot and two 2.5″ SATA SSD mounts. The power supply can be mounted in two different positions.
From Big to Bigger to Just Right?
The Light Base 500 is essentially be quiet!’s response to customer feedback about the Light Base 600 and E-ATX-capable 900. While the larger models were widely well-received, many wanted more compact versions without sacrificing the core design elements.
Unlike the Light Base 600’s party trick of swapping between layouts in under 30 seconds, the 500 series sticks to a traditional orientation. But what it loses in configurability, it gains in a more manageable footprint that fits most gaming setups without looking bloated.
At €119.90 (approximately $130) for the basic Light Base 500 and €144.90-€154.90 ($155-$165) for the LX variants, be quiet! is positioning these cases against established favorites in the mid-tower market.
The Corsair 4000D Airflow remains a popular choice at similar price points, offering excellent thermals and build quality, though it lacks the unique angled intake design. The Phanteks Eclipse G360A brings comparable features with three ARGB fans for around $100, making it a strong budget alternative.
Nevertheless, be quiet!’s pricing looks quite competitive. You’re paying a small premium over budget options for German engineering and some genuinely innovative cooling solutions. Whether the angled intake design proves its worth in real-world testing remains to be seen, but it certainly looks impressive .