The Lexa Blackline is a nice looking rig. The window could be a little smaller, to hide some of the wire mess, but not a big deal. The red LED fans are a change from the blue ones most rigs use, and the black/red combination is a cool look. I ran the front, rear, and side 120mm fans with 12v, and the trio are surprisingly quiet. So quiet that I may not change them to 5v in the future as I usually do. Keep in mind if you run them at 5v, the LEDs probably won't light up much. The red HDD led is different…goes very well with the theme.

Conclusions:

The NZXT Lexa Blackline is an impressive case. It looks nice, has some really great stock cooling, has a cool temp monitoring system (for someone that likes them), has “swinging” side panels instead of the “sliding” panels that I have grown to dislike, a nice “stealthed window” (for guys that like windows…they really aren't that big of a deal to me anymore). I have grown to expect tool-free installation…I reviewed an HTPC case recently that wasn't, it actually was kind of a pain. Interior and exterior finish is perfect. Overall, the Blackline is of the high quality that we expect from NZXT, and there is not a single thing I find “wrong” with it.

At $100 at a popular online retailer, the Blackline is well worth the money. It is an excellent case, and what I am about to say is not a criticism of it.

But, I have some mixed feelings about the NZXT Lexa Blackline.

I guess I do have a problem with it being made of steel instead of aluminum. The standard Lexa is pretty well known. How many people will order a Blackline, not realizing that they will be getting a steel chassis instead of an aluminum one? Actually, when I first found out I was getting to review it, I was pretty excited about getting my first aluminum case, as I didn't pay attention the mention of steel on NZXT's site. Also, the Lexa comes with a very cool nylon carrying strap, that isn't included with the Blackline. I move my rig enough that I'd like to have one, and was dissapointed by not finding one in the Blackline's case.

In NZXT's defense, on their website and dealers' websites, the Blackline is clearly shown to be steel, and a carrying strap is mentioned nowhere. I'm just saying...

At $100USD, the Blackline is thirty dollars cheaper than the standard Lexa. Taking nothing away from the Blackline, which I like the looks of much better than the standard Lexa, I think I'd rather spend the extra $30 and get aluminum and a carrying strap.

Once again, that's not criticism.

Pros:

Good looking case, fairly unique shape.
More cooling potential than any case I have used.
Excellent finish inside and out.
Good price.

Cons:

Unlike the original Lexa, is steel, and doesn't have the cool carrying strap.

And, the NZXT Lexa Blackline earns the OCIA.net seal.



Thanks to NZXT for supplying us with this review sample.