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be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX — Mid-tower
be quiet!

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX

Mid-tower

86
/ 100
From $129
VS
Fractal North XL wins by 5
Fractal North XL — Full-tower · Walnut accents · E-ATX
Fractal

Fractal North XL

Full-tower · Walnut accents · E-ATX

91
/ 100
From $189
Specdex verdict

Fractal North XL takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX lands at 86 and Fractal North XL at 91. That puts Fractal North XL ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX if…

  • ✓Tool-less panels on most
  • ✓Cable-management channels
  • ✓Dust filters

Pick Fractal North XL if…

  • ✓Gorgeous walnut front
  • ✓E-ATX and 420 mm rad support
  • ✓Quiet mesh airflow
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Airflow

Fractal North XL

Compared on the airflow sub-score

Fractal North XL leads on airflow (92 vs 86).

Build

Fractal North XL

Compared on the build sub-score

Fractal North XL leads on build (94 vs 84).

Features

Fractal North XL

Compared on the features sub-score

Fractal North XL leads on features (88 vs 84).

Value for money

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX more score per dollar ($129 vs $189).

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX 86
vs
91 Fractal North XL

Score breakdown

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX
86
airflow 86
build 84
features 84
value 86
Fractal North XL
91
airflow 92
build 94
features 88
value 90

Specs side-by-side

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX versus Fractal North XL — full spec comparison
Spec be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX Fractal North XL
Type
Mid-tower
Full-tower
MB support
—
E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
Fans
—
2× included
Max GPU
—
413 mm

be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX

Pros
  • +Tool-less panels on most
  • +Cable-management channels
  • +Dust filters
Cons
  • −Fan inclusion varies
  • −GPU clearance limits for triple-slot cards
  • −Weight on glass panels

Fractal North XL

Pros
  • +Gorgeous walnut front
  • +E-ATX and 420 mm rad support
  • +Quiet mesh airflow
Cons
  • −Large footprint
  • −No vertical GPU mount included
  • −No included fan hub

FAQ: be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX vs Fractal North XL

Which is better, be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX or Fractal North XL? +

Fractal North XL scores 91 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX worth the price? +

At $129, be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in airflow.

Is Fractal North XL worth the price? +

At $189, Fractal North XL delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in build.

Does be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX or Fractal North XL last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for airflow, be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX or Fractal North XL? +

Fractal North XL — leads on airflow (92 vs 86). Compared on the airflow sub-score.

Which is better for build, be quiet! Pure Base 500 FX or Fractal North XL? +

Fractal North XL — leads on build (94 vs 84). Compared on the build sub-score.