The Dark Base 701 series is another new model for be quiet! for this year (2023). We have already tested the top-of-the-line Dark Base 901 series, with extreme build quality, dimensions, usability, and of course retail price. The Dark Base 701 comes to offer similar performance at a much lower retail price and of course dimensions. This product certainly comes with very high airflow in mind, since the front panel mesh allows for full air to come inside. The top of the line be quiet! Silent Wings 4 PWM fans are present (three of them) and offer high quality, life, and performance of course. The case also includes the front RGB effect and most features, which users can expect in 2023 from a well-designed case.

be quiet! due to its internal motherboard tray, allows apart from the usual system orientation, a reverse-orientation system design, like we have seen in the Dark Base 901 series. This model doesn't offer a removable motherboard tray as we have witnessed with the top-of-the-line Dark Base 901 series, however, we don't mind, since there is a lot of space to work at this motherboard. The structure of this case is steel and several other parts are plastic (like the included feet), to save some weight and make this case more portable. Of course, you can add up to 360mm AIO coolers and the latest be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5/Elite air coolers from be quiet! Big graphic cards, like the Nvidia 4090 series are not a problem with this case. There is also space to install all graphic cards vertically, via an additional graphics vertical stand accessory. There are many places to install storage devices as well, either 3.5" or 2.5" HDD/SSD drives. be quiet! has added many anti-vibration pads as well to specific areas where vibration can be produced to further eliminate noise. be quiet! also has installed an 8way fan/ARGB controller for users to control their system, either from software or the front hardware top panel.

Concluding this review, we did like the Dark Base 701 series. As usual, it offers great build quality, features, space, district ARGB lighting, and top-of-the-line pre-installed air coolers. The open mesh design will offer you very high airflow and for sure overclockers and power users will love this case. We found the retail price to be slightly higher than we expected with an MSRP of $229.90 / €229.00 / £229.99, which may be lower at the actual retail market.

If you want to spend around $230 for a top-of-the-line PC Case, then be quiet! Dark Base 701 series is a great choice and next year (2024) a white version will be offered as well.