Conclusion:

The NZXT Sentry LXE is not your standard run-of-the-mill fan controller. Combining the ease of a touchscreen and the flexibility of having an external controller add to its appeal - and not having to bend down under the desk to change a setting is nice. The built-in clock and sleek design complete the package and will complement any work space. The ability to run in auto mode makes the Sentry LXE simple to use, while its customizable temperature and fan settings will fit the needs of most users.

With the Sentry LXE on your desktop, maintaining a safe balance between fan noise and component temperature is simpler than ever. It is easy to make quick adjustments to the various fans in your system to accommodate varying situations; just a few taps on the touchscreen are required to go from a low noise home theater configuration to a setup ready for all out high performance 3D gaming.



While the device is primarily intended to control fans with 3-pin power leads, it would be nice if a few adapters were included to power 4-pin fans. While you will not have the feedback for fan speed on the screen, you could still control the fan speed with the Sentry LXE. Many systems have 4-pin fans in use, so it would be convenient to make them compatible without having to spend any extra money.

The NZXT Sentry LXE can be found at several online e-tailers, but a check of the Bigbruin.com shopping engine shows it can be found at Amazon.com for a few pennies shy of $60. This is definitely a high price to pay for a fan controller, but it is obviously not like most other units available.

For its great design and ease of use, the NZXT Sentry LXE fan controller earns the Bigbruin.com "Recommended" award.



Pros:

» Sensors and controls for up to 5 fans
» Sleek design will look good anywhere
» 7 foot cable makes placement easy

Cons:

» Priced at the higher end of fan controllers
» Fan power headers are 3-pin which may limit use or require an additional purchase for some users

Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.