NZXT Sentry LXE Digital Fan Controller

Cooling is a necessity for high performance gear. From the humble passive heatsink to the monstrous dual-fan tower coolers, airflow is an essential part of the process. Typically we connect fans to our devices via the motherboard, or directly to the PSU. If we're lucky, we can control the fans via software such as SpeedFan, otherwise the hum of high speed performance-orientated fans is permanent.

Sometimes we want to turn down the speed of fans to suit the level of cooling required. This is where fan controllers come into play. Here we have NZXT's top of the range fan controller solution, the Sentry LXE. Does it give us the level of control required for peaceful performance? Benchmark Reviews is here to find out!

Fan controllers have many forms. Some are built into cases in the form of simple potentiometers (variable resistors), others use a 3.5" or 5.25" bay to house a series of potentiometers, some form of visual display, or both. NZXT's solution takes a different approach by combining internal components with an external display. The aim is to provide all information and control mechanisms in a single slick external unit, and have the clutter of cables concealed within the case itself. It's definitely interesting on paper, but how does it perform in the real world?

In this review, we will be connecting the fan controller to a modern PC for evaluation. The temperature probes will be placed throughout the case, and all fans will be controlled via the Sentry LXE controller.

Manufacturer: NZXT Corporation
Product Name: Sentry LXE
Model Number: ACCNTSENTRYLX
UPC: 00811121010126
Price As Tested: $54.99 (NewEgg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by NZXT

Previous Page - Next Page >>