NZXT Kraken 280 RGB and Kraken Elite 360 RGB Review

James Dawson 2 weeks agoCooling, Featured Tech Reviews, Reviews

Over the past couple of weeks, we have been updating the CPU cooler test bench from the previous Ryzen 9 5950X system to a new AM5 X670 Aorus Elite motherboard and Ryzen 9 7950X CPU. We are also adding an Intel Z790-based test system to compare cooler performance on both platforms, and that will be coming soon. The first coolers to be reviewed on the 7950X test system are new NZXT Kraken AIOs. These new liquid coolers come in various shapes and sizes and we have both the Kraken 280 RGB and Kraken Elite 360 RGB. But will they handle the heat of the 7950X? Let's find out.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start01:10 Details and pricing / Displays04:37 Tech details / fans05:48 Some features07:00 Warranty and more fan details07:42 Two samples / connectors and cables11:47 Installation process / Cam software15:29 Performance results17:47 Closing thoughts

NZXT has launched new Kraken AIO CPU coolers with a whole stack of SKUs to choose from. The previous Kraken X and Z series are set to be replaced with new Kraken and Kraken Elite models, available with or without RGB fans and in either black or white colour schemes. The new coolers are still based on Asetek generation 7 platforms however the Kraken’s all come with LCD screens now and newly designed F120/F140 Core RGB fans.

Because the coolers are designed around the Asetek gen 7 pump/radiator design we don’t expect any improvement in performance to come from these parts, however, new fans may squeeze a little more cooling performance out of the gen 7 platform so it’ll be interesting to see how they perform. Besides the new fans, NZXT has also added an LCD screen on the CPU block top of both the new Kraken and Kraken Elite.

The only difference between Kraken and Kraken Elite is the LCD screen, the flagship Elite model has the higher spec display screen out of two with a 2.36-inch wide-angle LCD, 640×640 resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate. The cheaper Kraken (non-elite) features a 1.54-inch square LCD with 240×240 resolution and 30Hz refresh rate, significantly reducing the Kraken cost compared with the Kraken Elite.

You can also buy them in black or white, with or without RGB fans and in 240mm, 280mm and 360mm sizes. The non-elite Kraken with regular black or white non-RGB fans starts from £119.99 while the most expensive is the top-of-the-range Kraken Elite 360 RGB which will set you back a cool £259.99, so there’s an LCD-clad cooler for almost every price range. The Infinity mirror design from the previous Kraken X series has gone.

NZXT Kraken and Kraken Elite features:

Kraken Elite 360 RGB Specifications:

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