NZXT is a company that focuses mainly on computer chasses for the gaming and enthusiast community. They do, however, venture into additional segments of the market and have products ranging from power supplies, to notebook coolers and even fan controllers. This gives them a large foot print in the PC market and has allowed them to create quite a reputation for themselves over the years. While the product they sent our way is not a venture into an entirely new market, it is a new spin on a product that currently exists. The NZXT Sentry LXE takes the internal design of a standard fan controller and removes it from the optical drive bay, placing it directly on a user’s desk. This puts the fan controller within arm's length, which should improve the ability to quickly access the control panel and adjust the fan and temperature settings on the fly. Additionally, the LXE uses a sleek brushed aluminum design with a large 5.27” LCD touch-screen, so if the controller is as functional as it is stylish we may well have a good product on our hands. Aside from this new product's standard features, such as controlling the rotation of attached fans and giving the user the ability to monitor internal temperatures, it also includes a host of additional features. For instance, the LCD includes a built-in digital clock, calendar and it even displays the day of the week. Also, for users that don't like glowing LCD's the entire front panel can be powered down when not in use. The users settings are retained even when the screen is not on. Whenever looking at a revamp of a current design it is essential to weigh the pros and cons accordingly before making the ultimate decision on the product's worth. So, let’s take a good look at the Sentry LXE and see if an external fan controller can offer benefits beyond the standard internal design.
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