NZXT Lexa Blackline
NZXT has just introduced the NZXT Lexa Blackline just in time for summer, with newly modified design and a menacing Black and Red theme. The Blackline comes equipped with two red 120mm LED fans running at 23dba and a top 80mm exhaust fan. The front bezel is piano black to match the gloss black finish everywhere else. The Blackline chassis is reinforced by an 1mm steel chassis, and comes pre-drilled for external water-cooling and screwless installation of expansion cards. Benchmark Reviews is the very first site on the scene offering you an excellent first-look at the latest NZXT offering.
NZXT has become a dominant name in the computer chassis industry in a very short amount of time, all thanks to their aggressive approach to design and fashion. The NZXT Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case combines a very attractive yet elegant appearance while offering premium features at a balanced price. Focused towards gamers, computer enthusiasts, and system builders, the Blackline is perfect for the mid-level price-conscious consumer.
Based on the ever-popular NZXT Lexa which debuted in 2005, the new NZXT Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case offers an update appearance with additional functionality at a reduced price. This could be the difference enthusiasts have waited for, since there has long been a divide in computer cases between what is feature-rich and attractive versus what is functional and still affordable.
About NZXT
NZXT, a company built upon gamers' dreams, hopes to create products that put consumers first. Our objective is to provide every gamer with a case that they can identify with. Combining unique design and case performance, consumers will finally be able to find a quality case that will represent their own style and personality.
In the future, NZXT wishes all gamers who desire a personalized case to find it at NZXT. With the unveiling of every product, NZXT improves upon on weaknesses and strives for excellence. Achieving perfection is not an easy task, however, NZXT is determined to meet and surpass consumer expectations.
Our dedicated sales and customer service team will also work diligently to earn your trust and loyalty. All our products are built with high quality material and engineered in the best conditions.
NZXT Headquarters and Factories are located overseas in China and Taiwan. NZXT was established in 2004.
Taiwan Headquarters
6F, No.1, SEC 1, CHUNG SHAN RD.
PANCHIAO CITY, TAIPEI, TAIWAN 220
886-2-89535000 EXT: 201 (TEL)
NZXT Specifications
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MODEL: LEXA Blackline series
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CASE TYPE: Mid Tower Steel
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FRONT PANEL MATERIAL: Plastic
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DIMENSIONS (W x H x D) 220 X 522 X 569 mm
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COOLING SYSTEM:
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FRONT, 1 X 120 mm (optional)
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REAR, 1 X 120 mm Red LED Fan (included)
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SIDE PANEL, 1 X 120mm Red LED (included)
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TOP, 1 X 80mm Fan (included)
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DRIVE BAYS: 11 Drive Bays
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4 External 5.25" Drive Bays
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2 External 3.5 " Drive Bays
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5 Internal 3.5" Drive Bays
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Screwless Rail Design
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MATERIAL: Steel Construction
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EXPANSION SLOTS: 7
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WEIGHT 11.5 KGS (25.35 LBS)
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MOTHERBOARD SUPPORT: ATX, MICRO-ATX, BABY AT
Lexa Blackline Features
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NVIDIA 8800GTX Compatible
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Screwless installation
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1.0mm Thick Steel chassis
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"Stealthed" clear side panel
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Three temperature display meter
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Glossy Piano Black Finish (front bezel only)
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Low noise 1100 RPM@23dba Fans
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Removable Dust Filters for Dust Prevention
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Cable Organization via Rear Cage
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Ext. Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, Mic, IEEE 1394/FIREWIRE
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Headphone Jack
Closer Look: Blackline Exterior
The Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case belongs to the Classic Series of computer chassis offered by NZXT. There are other popular cases in this series, such as the Adamas and HUSH which have both been recently reviewed here at Benchmark Reviews.
The underlying theme of the classic series is on black, almost to emphasize the classical black and white film, television, or photo period. Unlike that period, which was void of personal computers, NZXT adds a bit of unique spice to the theme, usually in the design or accents.
NZXT's Classic Series is better known for cases which are modern yet not over-the-top in designed appearance. NZXT can a large selection of cases which cover every personal taste, but for most consumers it will be the mid-level Classic Series that will hold their next system.
Built around a steel SECC chassis, the NZXT Blackline utilizes steel panels, with a clear "stealthed" acrylic (read: cracks very easily) window. Unlike the marketing images, the side window is not red... but it could be with a little effort. The plastic front bezel completes classic look, with a single strip of fiber optic plastic to transmit the light from a hidden red LED.
Changed in the new Blackline release are the color of the cooling fan LED's, and the color of the front bezel LED. There are some functional changes I will mention later in the review, but in regards to the exterior nearly everything remains the same.
NZXT includes a single 80mm cooling fan atop the Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case, which is strategically located to exhaust the heated air that rises to the top. The high-gloss piano black finish which once covered the aluminum panels on the original Lexa have been replaced with fingerprint-friendly gloss black paint on steel panels.
The underside of the Lexa Blackline sports a single 80mm fan opening, which comes from NZXT with a screen and grill instead of a cooling fan. It has always been my practice to place an 80mm cooling fan in this position for cool-air intake.
Detailed Exterior Features
In contrast to the original Lexa design, which featured blue LED fans and LCD display, the Blackline is painted in a warmer color. With the red LED fans at the rear of the case and on the side panel, the glow compliments a red LCD display which gives temperature readings from the front.
Only very minor deviation from the otherwise all-black finish is found around the exterior. Once the bezel door is open, the exposed reset button has silver accents which team with the silver finished power buttons above the bezel door. True to the original Lexa form, the Blackline offers convenience for consumers who don't want to repeatedly open the door just to power on their system. When the bezel is made of plastic, there just isn't much point to a lock and key anyway.
The original NZXT Lexa and the new Lexa Blackline are very much identical in terms of exterior design. The piano-black front bezel is exactly the same part, which even maintains the 2005 copyright marking on the inside of the door. From the side panels and windows, to the accents and even the fan grill, I would be very hard pressed to tell the difference between the two versions at a short distance.
Firewire (IEEE-1394) and dual USB ports are available at the lower side of the NZXT Blackline. Color-keyed headphone and microphone jacks finish out the I/O panel.
The original NZXT Lexa used a plastic trim piece over the back of the chassis. I never liked this accent, because it was very pointless and cumbersome. The fact that you would have to remove this trim piece (four screws and it pulls out) just to open either side panel made working inside the Lexa a big hassle.
Well, this worthless waste of plastic returns to haunt you in the new Blackline. This part serves no purpose other than to slow you down if you work inside the case. My advice is to put it in next weeks' recycling crate along with the extended length screws, and use thumb screws for both panels. The service side panel (window) doesn't even really need screws, since it has a latch system.
New to the list of features are the two pre-drilled holes with rubber grommets; a very simple and inexpensive feature to implement which gives computer enthusiasts and overclockers with liquid cooling to opportunity to mix function with affordable fashion.
Closer Look: Blackline Interior
NZXT has experimented with several different methods of contained drives in their bay. The Blackline follows in the footsteps of it's forefathers, and keeps to the plastic slide rails which clip into the sides of the hardware device. This tool-less system makes changing hard drives and other equipment a snap, literally.
The Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case doesn't offer a lock to secure the front bezel door, which is going to make this chassis a lot more user friendly. However, NZXT realizes that sometimes prying hands can be tempted to touch all the pretty (and colorful) hardware inside. This is why NZXT has kept the locking service side panel, making it impossible for someone to gain access to the components without causing a lot of damage in the process.
Cable management was design priority in the Antec P182 Performance One ATX Case we reviewed a few months ago. However, the Lexa Blackline has kept it simple by restricting cable access beyond the motherboard tray. Many other cases offer some cable openings near the front of the case, near to the hard drives, but the Lexa series takes the motherboard try right up to the front of the chassis.
Really, there's no point in ever opening this side panel, especially since the plastic slide rails make tools unnecessary. Everything you will need is accessed through the service side panel, so let's take a look at what's behind door number one.
Detailed Interior Features
The original NZXT Lexa was made of aluminum, whereas the Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case makes full use of steel construction. The Lexa came with a carry strap, which I thought was somewhat ridiculous but useful at the same time. What was light is now a little more heavy, but a lot more durable and doesn't require a special harness; which means you will need to carry this case with more than just one hand.
Considering that I have personally owned the original Lexa, I can say with some authority that the weight is not very different with steel construction, and the new design actual feels much stronger.
Despite the steel construction, the overall layout and design of the interior racks and component locations is virtually identical. The single 120mm cooling fan at the rear of the chassis reflects the bright red LED's from its shiny fan blades, which creates a nice effect in a dark room. With proper lighting however, the lighting effects of the rear and side are very stifled.
NZXT is among the first manufacturers to incorporate the inexpensive liquid-cooling ports in their chassis. While the Antec P182 was the very first case we had seen with this feature, that case also retails for nearly twice the cost of the Lexa Blackline.
My feeling of the tool-less expansion card retaining bracket are identical to those of the rear trim piece: worthless. I truly dislike the single-lever design, which means that if just one single expansion card (like any dual slot video card) has a non-standard mounting bracket the entire clip will not secure correctly. Lian Li has kept to the standard individual knockout plates for a good reason: they work.
While both the upper and lower drive cages offer unobstructed access, the hard drive cage is really too close to the side panel to allow safe cable management. There are a few tutorials across the web that instruct how to turn this cage 90-degrees, and they would be very useful in this particular case (pun intended).
The Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case does offer plenty of cooling fans, as well as the capacity for one more 80mm fan at the bottom, which takes the heat off of the less than optimally positioned hard drive fan (second and last pun, I swear).
Final Thoughts: NZXT Blackline
NZXT is all about the look. It proved it could design a wildly popular Lexa, and it has just proven that it can redesign a good thing and make it both functional and fashionable. The Blackline is not only everything the original Lexa was, it is also more affordable.
Nothing cools a computer quite as well as liquid cooling. Although this form of thermal management may not be the norm for most enthusiasts, the ability to use it has been included. Manufacturers are beginning to catch on, such as Antec, who have included the liquid cooling ports at nearly no additional cost to implement.
NZXT Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower ATX case is clearly the mid-level platform for everyone on a budget who still want to enjoy premium looks and features. For now , there are too many cases under one-hundred dollars which offer anywhere near the same looks and quality, which make the Lexa Blackline perfectly positioned to meet the critical demands of a price-conscious consumer segment who search for the best value possible.
Conclusion
Just as with past NZXT products, the packaging is more then enough to tempt you into a purchase. The presentation is better than most, which helps to add interest to an already appealing price tag.
With a SECC construction the Lexa Blackline is solid and strong. Thankfully a plastic bezel and windowed side panel help to lighten the load, which actually makes the case surprisingly lighter than expected.
One of the key features to the newly designed Lexa Blackline is a new look. Well, thankfully this particular look and style have already proven very successful in the past. The added liquid-cooling ports and reduced price make the functionality stand out that much more.
NZXT has recently turned their focuse towards delivering value, in addition to the long list of features I have previously mentioned. You might try to compare this case to others, but before you do just remember that the NZXT Lexa Blackline is priced for mid-level consumers. NewEgg.com has already begun to stock the Lexa Blackline, which is listed for $99.99.
There were two items I found serious fault with: the rear trim piece, and the tool-less expansion card retaining bracket. If I were to redesign the already redesigned Lexa, it would be without these two items.
More than just an attractive mid-level case, the Lexa Blackline is perfect building block for gamers, hardware enthusiasts, and especially case-modders. I can see great potential within the Lexa Blackline, and I'm certain you will too.
Pros:
+ Extremely well built SECC chassis
+ Liquid-cooling ready
+ Convenient bezel/button design
+ High-quality features at a bargain
+ Plenty of working room
+ Attractive gloss black finish
+ Multiple cooling fan locations
+ Affordable and well designed
Cons:
- Rear trim prohibits easy side panel access
- Expansion card retaining bracket is not friendly with all blade styles
- Hard drive cage should be turned
Ratings:
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Presentation: 8.75
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Appearance: 9.0
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Construction: 9.0
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Functionality: 9.0
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Value: 8.75
Final Score: 8.9 out of 10.
Quality Recognition: Benchmark Reviews Silver Tachometer Award
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