be quiet! Light Base 500 LX / Fractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh)

be quiet! Light Base 500 LX: BGW85 · black, empty chassis

Fractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh): FD-C-NOR1C-03: Chalk White, oak front panel, perforated steel (mesh) left side panel. The Charcoal Black and tempered glass (TG Clear/TG Dark) versions of the North share the same internal layout; the side panel and weight differ.

Specificationbe quiet! Light Base 500 LXFractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh)
Release year20252022
Announcement and availabilityAnnounced October 7, 2025; on sale from October 21, 2025 be quiet!—
MotherboardATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX be quiet!ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX Fractal Design
Rear-connector motherboardsASUS BTF, MSI Project Zero, Gigabyte Project Stealth layouts be quiet!—
Dimensions432 × 305 × 436 mm; length × width × height, with feet be quiet!—
MaterialsSGCC steel, ABS, glass be quiet!Real oak front panel with brass accents; perforated (mesh) left side panel, steel right panel

Fractal says the wood is sustainably sourced. The mesh side panel lets air in directly to the side fan mounts.

Fractal Design
Side fans3 × 120 mm Light Wings LX Reverse PWM be quiet!—
Rear fan1 × 120 mm Light Wings LX PWM be quiet!—
Top fan positions3 × 120 or 2 × 140 mm be quiet!—
Bottom fan positions3 × 120 mm; fans separate be quiet!—
Rear fan compatibility1 × 120 or 140 mm be quiet!—
Radiator120 / 240 / 360 mm at the top be quiet!Front 120/140/240/280/360 mm; top 120/240 mm; side 2 × 120/140 mm; rear 120 mm

The largest top option is 240 mm; a 360 mm radiator fits only at the front and reduces graphics card length to 300 mm.

Fractal Design
CPU cooler clearanceUp to 185 mm high be quiet!—
Graphics card clearanceUp to 400 mm long be quiet!—
Power supplyATX PS/2; under 200 mm long; not included

Allow additional space for cable and connector bends.

be quiet!		ATX, up to 255 mm long Fractal Design
Drive bays1 × 3.5-inch HDD and 2 × 2.5-inch SSD be quiet!—
Expansion7 PCI slots be quiet!—
Front connections1 × USB-C 3.2 Gen 2; 2 × USB-A 3.2; combined HD Audio be quiet!—
LightingARGB button and ARGB/PWM hub; 3-pin ARGB be quiet!—
Dust filtersSide and bottom intakes be quiet!—
Dimensions, volume and weight—447 × 215 × 469 mm; 42 L; 7.6 kg net Fractal Design
Graphics card—Up to 355 mm; 300 mm with a 360 mm front radiator Fractal Design
CPU cooler—Up to 145 mm tall

The spec table published by TechPowerUp says coolers up to 170 mm fit with the side fan bracket removed; Fractal’s product page gives only 145 mm.

Fractal Design
Fans—2 × Aspect 14 PWM front; front 3 × 120 or 2 × 140 mm, top 2 × 120/140 mm, side 2 × 120/140 mm, rear 1 × 120 mm

Only the two front fans are included; extra fans are needed for rear and top exhaust.

Fractal Design
Front I/O—1 × USB-C 20 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2); 2 × USB-A 5 Gbps; headphone and microphone jacks; power button

The 20 Gbps speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 front-panel header on the motherboard; with a slower header the port runs at that header’s speed. There is no reset button on the front panel.

Fractal Design
Expansion and drive bays—7 expansion slots; 2 × 2.5-inch brackets, 2 × combined 3.5/2.5-inch brackets Fractal Design
Cable management and filters—30 mm behind the motherboard, cable grommets and Velcro straps; front and PSU dust filters; captive thumbscrews

The top panel is open without a filter; dust entry can increase in builds without top fans.

Fractal Design
Warranty—2 years Fractal Design