Lian Li or Be Quiet!? PC Cases Compared in 2026
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page are affiliate links.
This lian li vs be quiet PC case comparison focuses on two distinct mid-tower designs. Both models support ATX motherboards and include pre-installed fans for immediate airflow. The primary difference lies in their approach to aesthetics and cooling flexibility. Lian Li emphasizes RGB lighting and tempered glass visibility. Be Quiet! prioritizes quiet operation and modular radiator support. You should review the specs below to see which build style matches your needs.
Key differences
| Aspect | Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh Mid-Tower Case | be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Size | Mid-Tower | Mid-Tower |
| Side Panel | Tempered Glass | not listed |
| Included Fans | 3 ARGB PWM Fans | 2 Pure Wings 2 Fans |
| Lighting | ARGB | not listed |
| Radiator Support | not listed | up to 360mm |
| Use | Gaming | not listed |
Which one should you choose?
Choose Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh Mid-Tower Case if
- You want visible RGB lighting with three pre-installed ARGB fans.
- You prefer a tempered glass side panel for showcasing components.
- You are building a gaming PC with a focus on aesthetics.
Choose be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower if
- You need support for large radiators up to 360mm.
- You prioritize quiet operation with specialized Pure Wings 2 fans.
- You value modular design features like a removable ODD cage.
Verdict: Choose the Lian Li if you want a visually striking case with integrated RGB lighting and a glass side panel. Pick the Be Quiet! if you need flexible radiator mounting options and a design focused on acoustic performance. Both are solid mid-tower options for ATX builds.
Lian Li vs Be Quiet Case Specs
Side Panel Material
Lian Li includes a tempered glass side panel on the Lancool 205 Mesh. This allows you to view your internal components and RGB lighting clearly. Be Quiet! lists the color as black but does not specify the material for its side panel in the provided data. Tempered glass offers a modern aesthetic for showing off hardware. If you prioritize visibility of your build, the Lian Li provides a confirmed transparent window. The Be Quiet! model focuses on a solid, uniform look, but the exact panel construction remains unspecified in the current specifications.
Pre-Installed Fans
The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh comes with three fans pre-installed. It includes two 140mm fans at the front and one 120mm fan at the rear. These are ARGB PWM fans that support lighting effects. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 includes two pre-installed Pure Wings 2 fans. The specific size of these fans is not listed in the provided data. Having three fans from the factory can improve initial airflow without extra purchases. The Lian Li also offers more lighting customization options via a physical button on the chassis.
Motherboard Support
Both cases support ATX motherboards. The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh also supports Micro ATX and Mini-ITX form factors. This gives you flexibility if you plan to use smaller boards in the future. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 is listed as supporting ATX motherboards. The data does not explicitly confirm support for Micro ATX or Mini-ITX boards, though it is common for mid-towers to include this. If you need to switch between different motherboard sizes frequently, the Lian Li offers confirmed broader compatibility across all three standard sizes.
Radiator Support
The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 is ready for water cooling with support for radiators up to 360mm. It can accommodate these large radiators on the front, top, and rear locations. This provides significant flexibility for high-end liquid cooling setups. The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh is described as liquid cooling ready, but the maximum radiator size it can support is not listed in the provided data. If you plan to install large 360mm or 420mm radiators, the Be Quiet! offers confirmed capacity for these components.
Dimensions and Weight
The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh measures 29.2 inches in width and length, with a height of 11.6 inches. It weighs 15.5 pounds. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 measures 22.4 inches in width, 20.4 inches in length, and 11.3 inches in height. It weighs 16.4 pounds. The Lian Li is wider and longer, which may affect how it fits on your desk or floor. The Be Quiet! is more compact in footprint but slightly heavier. You should measure your available space carefully before choosing, as the Lian Li requires more lateral room.
Which Lian Li or Be Quiet case fits you
RGB enthusiasts who want visible lighting effects
The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh includes three pre-installed ARGB fans. You can control seven lighting modes using the dedicated button on the top panel. The tempered glass side panel lets you display these effects clearly. This case prioritizes visual customization for users who want their components to shine.
Users seeking quiet operation and flexible cooling
The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 features Pure Wings 2 fans designed for whisper-quiet performance. It supports radiators up to 360mm on the front, top, and rear. The adjustable top cover adds cooling versatility. This mid-tower focuses on efficient airflow without excessive noise, ideal for quiet builds.
Builders needing easy cable management and layout options
Lian Li provides extra space behind the motherboard tray for hidden cable organization. Removable SSD brackets and swappable top fan brackets allow you to customize the interior layout. This design simplifies installation and keeps your cables tidy without requiring complex disassembly or extra tools during the build process.
The products compared
Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh Mid-Tower Case
Best for: airflow-focused ATX gaming builds
- Motherboard Support
- ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX
- Case Type
- Mid-Tower
- Side Panel
- Tempered Glass
- Use
- Gaming
- Lighting
- ARGB
- Dimensions
- 29.2 × 29.2 × 11.6 inches
View on Amazon: Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh Mid-Tower Case Affiliate link
This mid-tower case gives you a high-airflow mesh front panel, a tempered glass side panel, and three pre-installed ARGB PWM fans. You get two 140mm front intake fans and one 120mm rear exhaust fan out of the box. Supporting ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, it suits you if you prioritize straightforward airflow setups.
Pros
- Includes three pre-installed ARGB PWM fans (two 140mm and one 120mm)
- Dedicated top C/M button controls seven lighting modes and motherboard sync
- Removable SSD brackets and swappable top fan bracket simplify assembly
- Dual magnetic dust filters on top and bottom panels
Cons
- Front I/O lacks a USB Type-C port, providing only two USB 3.0 ports
- Motherboard compatibility tops out at standard ATX with no E-ATX support
Good fit if
- You want pre-installed 140mm and 120mm ARGB fans ready out of the box.
- You build with a standard ATX, Micro ATX, or Mini-ITX motherboard.
Skip if
- You need a front-panel USB Type-C port for modern peripherals.
- You plan to install an oversized E-ATX motherboard.
Verdict: Lian Li LANCOOL 205 Mesh Mid-Tower Case serves builders wanting high out-of-the-box airflow and pre-wired ARGB fans for standard ATX configurations.
be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower
Best for: quiet ATX builds with flexible cooling
- Motherboard Support
- ATX
- Case Type
- Midi Tower
- Included Fans
- 2x be quiet! Pure Wings 2
- Radiator Support
- Up to 360mm
- Use
- Gaming
- Dimensions
- 20.4 × 22.4 × 11.3 inches
View on Amazon: be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower Affiliate link
The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 is an ATX midi tower designed for quiet operation. It includes two pre-installed Pure Wings 2 fans. The case supports radiators up to 360mm on the front, top, and rear. You can adjust the top cover for extra airflow or radiator mounting. It also features repositionable HDD slots and a removable optical drive cage for customization.
Pros
- Two pre-installed Pure Wings 2 fans for efficient airflow
- Supports 360mm radiators on front, top, and rear
- Adjustable top cover vent for cooling customization
- Removable ODD cage and repositionable HDD slots
Cons
- Heavier at 16.4 pounds compared to lighter alternatives
- Standard ATX size limits extreme component expansion
- No window variant available in the base model data
Good fit if
- You prioritize silent operation over extreme airflow
- You need flexible radiator mounting options
- You want customizable drive bay configurations
Skip if
- You require a tempered glass window
- You prefer a lighter, more portable case
- You need E-ATX motherboard support
Verdict: Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Midi Tower suits builders who value quiet performance and flexible cooling setups. It fits users who want a sturdy, customizable ATX case without the bulk of larger towers.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh Mid-Tower Case | be quiet! Pure Base 600 ATX Mid Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard Support | ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX | ATX |
| Case Type | Mid-Tower | Midi Tower |
| Side Panel | Tempered Glass | not stated |
| Included Fans | not stated | 2x be quiet! Pure Wings 2 |
| Radiator Support | not stated | Up to 360mm |
| Tower Size | Mid-Tower | not stated |
| Use | Gaming | Gaming |
| Lighting | ARGB | not stated |
| Dimensions | 29.2 × 29.2 × 11.6 inches | 20.4 × 22.4 × 11.3 inches |
| Weight | 15.5 pounds | 16.4 pounds |
| Size | Mid-tower Case | Black |
| Color | LANCOOL 205 MESH RGB - ATX - Black | Black |
| Model | G99OE764X00 | BG021 |
Frequently asked questions
Which case is better for gamers who want visible RGB lighting?
The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh is the better choice for visible RGB lighting. It features ARGB fans and a tempered glass side panel to showcase your components. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 focuses on quiet performance and does not highlight lighting effects in its specifications.
Does the Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh support USB Type-C?
The published verdict for the Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh states that it is suitable for users who do not need USB Type-C ports. The provided specifications list dimensions and weight but do not mention any USB Type-C connectivity options on the front or top panel.
What is the weight difference between these two mid-tower cases?
The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 weighs 16.4 pounds, while the Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh weighs 15.5 pounds. The Be Quiet model is slightly heavier by 0.9 pounds. This difference may affect how easily you can move the case during assembly or relocation.
Which case is better for builders who prioritize ventilation?
The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh is designed for builders prioritizing ventilation. Its verdict highlights solid airflow capabilities for gamers. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 emphasizes quiet performance and flexible cooling setups, which may prioritize noise reduction over maximum airflow rates.
Do both cases support ATX motherboards?
Yes, both cases support ATX motherboards. The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh is listed as an ATX mid-tower. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 is also specified as an ATX mid-tower. You can use either case for standard ATX motherboard builds.
Which case has a tempered glass side panel?
The Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh includes a tempered glass side panel. This allows you to view internal components and lighting clearly. The Be Quiet! Pure Base 600 specifications list the color as black but do not mention a tempered glass side panel.