NZXT strikes again with another cost-effective mid-tower case, Lexa S, which uses the same body as M59 from the same brand, but with a different front panel and coming with some additional features – especially two fan speed controllers. Is it a good buy? Let’s see.

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Figure 1: NZXT Lexa S case.

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Figure 2: NZXT Lexa S case.

The left side panel is transparent using a dark plastic sheet, giving it a different looks from the traditional clear transparent sheet that is normally used. It comes with a 120-mm fan installed on this panel (42 CFM, 23 dB) that glows blue when turned on. This fan has both the standard peripheral power plug and the small three-pin power connector, so you can either connect it directly to the power supply or to the motherboard and thus monitor its speed thru your favorite monitoring program. You can also connect it to one of the two fan speed controllers available (which uses the small three-pin connector).

As mentioned, Lexa S and M59 share the same body. The side, top and rear panels are also identical; what is really different is the front panel, which comes with a door with a somewhat aggressive design, resembling (at least in our opinion) a helmet or a mask.

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Figure 3: Front panel with the door closed.

The door is fastened to the front panel using two strong magnetic latches. The problem, in our opinion, is that the power switch is located behind the door, so you need to open the door every time you need to turn on or off your computer. After a while this process gets really annoying.

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Figure 4: Front panel with door opened.

Lexa S has one external 3 ½” bay and four external 5 ¼” bays with meshed covers to improve ventilation inside the case, featuring dust filters. The knobs for the two fan speed controllers can be seen between the 3 ½” bay and the NZXT logo. The two plastic trims available on the front panel glow blue when the system is turned on (of course if you don’t like this feature you can simply not install the power connector from these LED’s).

Each fan speed controllers is able to control up to two fans (connected in parallel, so the fans connected to the same controller will always spin at the same speed). The controllers use the small three-pin fan power connector.

The front panel also features a 120-mm fan (42 CFM, 23 dB) that comes with a small three-pin connector and a standard peripheral power connector at the same time, so you can either connect it directly on the power supply, on your motherboard or on one of the fan speed controllers.

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Figure 5: Front fan.