Getting Inside:

The side panels are secured with regular screws. Because of the cable guide at the back, which is screwed on top of the side panel stops, thumb screws can't really fit. Thus, be prepared to break out the screwdriver to take apart this case. As mentioned before, the right side panel can be removed but this is totally unnecessary for installation. The back cage pops off easily when the screws are removed. The left side panel comes off nicely when you press on the latch; you don't need to slide it back, it just will lift out.

Looking at the windowed side panel from the inside, you'll note it's mostly secured with screws, the tops of which are nicely concealed from the outside using chrome accents. The 120mm fan here use a standard 4-pin power connector.

Regular screws.

Side panel.

Accessories that come with this case include a full set of tool-less drive rails, screws/standoffs for motherboard installation, keys for the door, some wire ties and an installation manual. Looking at the picture below, you'll note that there are not many screws; this is because most aspects of installation are tool-less, including securing expansion cards. A few thumbscrews are included for your use. The manual neatly explains most installation topics.

What's included.

Side inside view.

Drive bays.

Inside is a very neat layout. All of the cables/wires had been bundled up nicely and were wrapped in foam to protect things during transit. There are no obstructions over the motherboard area, which should make installation a bit easier. The layout is about average for a mid tower; the HDD cage, which uses rails, is turned sideways so that HDDs are inserted from the side. This also simplifies installation and uses less space in the case. The PSU is mounted in the standard upper-rear position, and must be inserted from the inside of the case. Thus, it's important to mount the PSU first in an empty case.

The front panel and temperature monitor wires come in from the same side as the motherboard tray. They might come a bit close to the motherboard, so you'll have to bend and route them away to keep things neat.

HDD cage.

External drive bays.

Mobo tray/PSU area.

Though the HDD cage can fit up to five drives, you probably wouldn't want to pack them all in so tight as heat would be an issue, even with the front intake 120mm fan blowing on them. Then again, if you have five HDDs you probably should be looking for something larger than a mid tower. The four 5.25" and two 3.5" external drives should be enough, especially considering that a temperature monitor is already included, thus potentially saving a drive bay from use.

PSU mount.

Rear 120mm exhaust.

Upper 80mm exhaust.

The mount for the PSU is pretty standard for a case like this. Being at the upper back, you just have to screw the PSU in after inserting it from the inside. Below the PSU area is a 120mm LED case fan, similar to the one on the side panel. This adds more flair to the case and provides decent exhaust out the back. 120mm case fans are pretty much standard nowadays. At the top, in between the PSU area at the topmost 5.25" drive bay is an 80mm exhaust fan. There's no grill internal grill on this fan, and I would like to see one here at least, since cables/wires will come close to this fan if you put a drive in the top 5.25" bay.

These fans bring the total number to four - a front 120mm intake, a side 120mm intake, a rear 120mm exhaust and the top 80mm exhaust. This should form a decent air-cooling solution for most systems. Any systems that require more should consider water cooling, made easier by the Lexa Blackline's included hose ports that are just to the side of the expansion card slots.

80mm vent at bottom.

Tool-less expansion  card fastener.

Fastener open.

The 80mm vent at the bottom is not meant for a fan, but just for intake of air. A filter is included, held in position by plastic push pins. You can remove it to wash it. Air can flow in since the case is propped off the ground considerably. The tool-less expansion card fastener covers all the expansion cards at once. You pop open the latch, install your cards, and then lock it down to secure all the cards at once.

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