Operation/Usability

Once the install was done I hit the power button on my PC and everything fired right up. I noticed the display immediately: it is very clear, crisp and easy to read. Each fan is displayed along with its current RPM and probe temperatures. There is even the date and time. As I began to play around with the touch screen, I quickly learned that it was the easiest fan controller I have ever used. There was no need for instructions; it was just that simple.

You can switch between auto and manual modes. “Manual” lets you select the fan speeds you want to run all the time, and “auto” mode adjusts the fan speed based on the temperature that the probe sends back to the unit.

Overall/Conclusion

If you are in the market for a high quality fan controller, the Sentry LXE is one of the best options around. Its sleek and stylish design complements any system. The LXE sports a host of strong features, and only takes up one expansion slot in your system, rather the one (or two) 5.25” drive bays. You can pick this unit up for around $59. Sure, there are less expensive controllers out there, but nothing quite like this one.

Pros:

• Solid construction and design

• Very easy to use

• Doesn’t require the us of any 5.25” bays

Cons:

• Fills one expansion slot

• No Molex-to-tree pin adaptors included

• Cable management can be difficult