| NZXT Lexa Blackline Performance Midtower ATX Case
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Internal Inspection:
A quick view of the back panel on the interior of the case shows that there are a few advanced features we will take a closer look at. The expansion slots have a tool-less clip which swings out of the way when you need to install an expansion card. Instead of the standard expansion slot brackets, NZXT has installed brackets that snap into the slot. Directly above the expansion slots are the pre-drilled holes for water cooling tubes. The 120mm exhaust fan installed in the back has red LEDs and is powered with a 4-pin Molex drive connector, instead of a 3-pin fan connector.
 
As I mentioned earlier, at the top of the case is a pre-installed 80mm exhaust fan. It is a plain black case fan which I intend to replace with a red LED fan. I think this will give an interesting glow from the top of the case, as well as provide some additional red light inside the case. While this fan is nice, I would prefer to have a standard 3-pin fan connector instead of the 4-pin Molex drive power connector.
 
Turning our attention to the drive bays, at the top we have the four 5.25" drive bays, with the two 3.5" drive bays below it. While these are tool-less, you can use screws should you feel the need. At the bottom we have room for five additional 3.5" hard drives. These have been rotated so the connectors face outwards. I prefer to have the connections towards the back panel, as it gives the case a cleaner look, however there was no room for the cables behind the drives.
 
The below left image shows the included 80mm fan filter for a bottom intake fan, although a fan is not included. A fan installed in this location could blow cooler air towards your video card.
 
Removing the front bezel, I was happy to find another filter for the front 120mm intake fan (above right image). While I applaud NZXT for installing a filter on all the intake fans, I would recommend a slight change in the design regarding this one. In order to clean it, you must remove the front bezel. While this is easy enough to do, it would be more convenient for this filter to be more readily accessible.
The below left image is of the internal cables which connect the front Firewire, USB 2.0 and audio ports. While the below right image is of the three included thermal probes. They are marked for Hard Drive, CPU and System. The LCD on the front of the case labels the three temperatures for each of these probes, so do not mix them up when you are attaching them.
 
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