Home : Hardware : Reviews : NZXT Lexa Blackline Mid-Tower Computer Case
NZXT comes out with a worthy revision to their Lexa case line.
About a year ago, I reviewed NZXT’s Lexa mid-tower, a case that tried to combine modern styling and gamer aesthetics into one package. While the case styling had some good ideas (it’s now the case, with some modifications, that I use for my testing system), the Lexa also had some big problems that NZXT needed to address before I was ready to heartily recommend it. You can read up on those problems and the rest of my thoughts on the original Lexa in this review. You can also see the complete specs for the Lexa Blackline at NZXT’s website.
Flash forward to late July, 2007: NZXT announces they’ve created a new version of the Lexa, called the Lexa Blackline. It has some improvements on and changes from the original Lexa, including a very prominent system lighting color change, moving from ice blue in the original to blood red in the Blackline. But do these changes make for a better case and more importantly, a worthy buy? That’s what we’re going to find out today.
Examining the Differences
While NZXT made some big changes to their new Lexa, fundamentally, the two Lexa cases are basically the same: same size, same shape and same contour. That’s a positive point: the original Lexa is a good case that, while there was room for improvement, was still reasonably pleasant to work with. However, because the Lexa Blackline is a modification of an existing design rather than a brand new model, we’re going to be taking a look at the changes NZXT made with the Blackline and see if they fix the problems with the original.
Construction and Exterior
NZXT made the original Lexa out of aluminum; they’re using steel for the Lexa Blackline. Because the original Lexa also comes with a carrying strap that the Lexa Blackline lacks, it’s clear that either NZXT does not intend the Lexa Blackline to be a LAN party-friendly case, or they were looking to market the Lexa design to people who wanted steel cases. In any case, the Blackline is a good choice for long-term ruggedness.
In addition to change in materials, NZXT went for a different external color scheme, abandoning the mirrored silver front panel for a flat black panel that matches the rest of the case. In addition, they changed the finish of the paint, possibly as a result of using steel paneling. In practical terms, this change means that while the Blackline’s finish is not nearly as glossy as that of the original Lexa, it seems to be a lot more scratchproof.
One final external change: NZXT added pre-drilled holes into the rear of the case for water cooling systems. They also sealed the holes with modified rubber plugs that should allow a cooling pipe to pass through without letting in dust. Water coolers for processor overclocking are all the rage in high-end Gaming PCs right now, so the holes are a good addition and make the Lexa Blackline that much more attractive to a gamer looking for a new case.
Two things NZXT didn’t change with Blackline: first, the external plastic frame on the back of the case. NZXT chose to continue the synchronized design aesthetic of the original Lexa in the Blackline, which is fine, but kept the design’s biggest problem by bolting the plastic frame to the back of the case with the same set of screws that keep the case door in place. Of course, as long as you don’t open up your case too often, it’s not a particularly big problem, but anyone who’s interested in frequent upgrades should be wary – or at least remove the frame on the back. Second, if you find yourself in need of a floppy drive, make sure you install it before putting in any optical drives because, as with the Lexa, you must remove the front panel to slide in any floppy drives – which is difficult to do if you put in optical drives first.
