The NZXT Kraken 240 is an all-in-one liquid cooler for those looking to really kick their cooling performance up a notch. This isn’t just a regular 240mm liquid cooler; it’s an attempt to keep CPU temperatures down with style. We take a walk through a few of these features with the Kraken 240 and share some personal experience with the unit.
Key Features
- 240mm Radiator: The big NZXT Kraken 240 radiator provides a lot of surface area.
- Advanced RGB Lighting: The Kraken 240 comes with a number of RGB lights, which allows the accommodation of different dynamic lighting effects that can set any kind of ambience within the PC case.
- Aer P Radiator Fans: These are designed and built to complement high-performance radiators, aiding maximized airflow and adding to the amazing thermal performance of the cooler.
- Reinforced Extended Tubing: Apart from it being flexible, the tubing is reinforced in an effort to give it better durability, such that it gets to be less prone to wearing and tearing over time.
- CAM Software Integration: This software can also control coolers that work with NZXT CAM software and allow users to have control of their coolers’ fan speeds and RGB lights, among other things.
- Universal Socket Compatibility: The cooler is fully compatible with all new major platforms, including Intel and AMD processors.
- Simple Installation: Easily installed, the kit is user-friendly for even beginners. It features a customizable RGB pump head, enabling more choices for personalization.
CAP
- Display Resolution: The display design of the NZXT Kraken 240 has a 240 x 240 px resolution, where everything displayed on it is sharp and vivid. This high resolution ensures that even the smallest system statistic readouts, custom images, or even animated GIFs are displayed clearly and sharply. Such a characteristic is greatly enriched as far as user experience is considered, with a very friendly interface in terms of vision, complementing the aesthetics of custom PC builds as a functional monitor, showing much elegance. The company’s use of this high-resolution display proves time and again that NZXT is genuinely committed toward top-notch technological advancement to push forward the frontier for customization and performance monitoring of PC cooling solutions.
- Display Orientation Flexibility: An awesome feature about the NZXT Kraken 240 is that the screen orientation on the face of the pump can now mimic the requirements of the computer case, aesthetic, and layout. A default, +90, +180, and -90 degrees are supported for these changes. This means, no matter how the motherboard is placed inside the case, the Kraken 240’s display can be oriented in such a way that it stays upright and the text can be read with ease. Such detailing makes everything to give a great hassle-free experience, which a user would appreciate very much in his or her custom PC build. This further shows that NZXT combines functionality and design that is user-centric.
- Display Panel Specifications: One of the important features that have stood out in the NZXT Kraken 240 is the in-house display panel, which makes the esthetic sense for a custom PC even further. With an Active Area of 1.54 inches (39.1mm), it allows users to display any image, important system statistics, custom images, or even animated GIFs so that the user can decorate their setup even more. This sort of display is not only sharp but also clear and functional in monitoring how the system performs. For something of this nature to be a real tool in the aesthetics of the build, it simply speaks volumes about how strongly NZXT feels about new tech and personal customization.
- Display Panel Type: The NZXT Kraken 240 features a Transmissive TFT display that is capable of supporting up to 262K colors, meaning the displayed image content is always life-colored and dynamic. Backlit monitors, on the other hand, send light up to the crystal layers, thereby enhancing the clarity of the screen under all ranges of lighting. The 262,000 color capability allows it to display any image, custom graphics, or animations with a high degree of fidelity and clarity, not just for the visual elements to be functional but beautiful on the cooler’s display panel. This is really a testament to the level of visual quality that NZXT has put into the product, which will enhance both performance and aesthetic appeal for custom PC builds.
Material: The NZXT Kraken 240 comes made up of aluminum and plastic material in perfect mixing, making the cooler durable and adding aesthetic appeal. The major parts of aluminum components installed in the cooler are the radiators, which play a bigger part in enhancing rapid heat dissipation. Thus, the cooler maintains the best thermal performance even when the system undergoes excess heavy loads.
The plastic parts, on the other hand, are all molded to help the cooler remain lightweight, but the intricate molding adds to the overall aesthetic and sleekness of all other NZXT products. This integrated thoughtfully used variety of materials underlines the effective, efficient use of the cooler and its ability to aesthetically become part and parcel with the overall appeal of any custom PC build.
COMPATIBLE SOCKET & CPU
- Intel Socket: LGA 1700, 1200/115X
- Intel CPUs Supported: Core i9, Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Pentium, Celeron
- AMD Socket: AM5, AM4, sTRX4, TR4 (*Threadripper bracket not included)
- AMD CPUs Supported: Ryzen 9, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 3, Threadripper
The NZXT Kraken 240 is designed to be very flexible in its support, able to fit a wide range of CPUs in both Intel and AMD sockets. It starts from the highest-performance CPUs, such as the Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9, and goes all the way down to entry-level CPUs, including the Intel Celeron and AMD Ryzen 3, just to offer the described top-class cooling performance to enthusiasts and casual users. This Kraken is up for the task, be it gaming, content creation, or simply every other kind of computing.
Note that the kit does not include specific brackets for AMD’s Threadripper CPUs or for its TR4 and sTRX4 sockets, which may be needed to be purchased separately for that perfect fit.
FAN’s
- Model: F120P Static Pressure Fan
- Quantity: 2
- Dimension: 120 x 120 x 26mm
- Speed: 500-1,800 ± 180 RPM
- Air Flow: 21.67 – 78.02 CFM
- Air Pressure: 0.75 – 2.7mm-H2O
- Noise: 17.9 – 30.6dBA
- Bearing: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
- Power Consumption: 12V DC, 0.23A, 2.76W
- Connector: 4-pin PWM
The NZXT Kraken 240 is bundled with two F120P Static Pressure Fans capable of delivering a perfect balance of air pressure and flow, fine-tuned and matched to the radiators. Their size allows them to fit perfectly into the cooler’s construction to maximize its efficiency in providing cooling. Fans with a very wide speed range make them adjust to the thermal demands of the system, working very quietly on low speeds and very strongly when set to high speeds.
Fitted with a fluid dynamic bearing and very precise engineering in terms of power use, this integrates the ideal of a 4-pin PWM connector, making it perfectly integrated with modern motherboards using dynamic speed adjustment according to the temperature of the CPU. Details like this really show the commitment on the part of NZXT to provide a full-circle cooling solution that is just perfectly balanced in terms of performance, noise, and efficiency.
WATER BLOCK
- Dimensions: The NZXT Kraken 240 water block is designed to fit precisely inside the majority of PC builds. It’s shaped and takes dimensions of 74.7 mm in diameter and 55.97 mm in height. This size is relatively compact, yet very effective to ensure that it can accommodate the thermal demands that are associated with very high TDP-level processors, and all this with a small profile, ensuring that it does not eat into the space needed for other components. The inclusion of dimensions of the water block has evidently taken into consideration all these notions, and those are really exemplary that NZXT cares about compatibility and optimization for all of their cooling solutions.
- Material: The water block base on the NZXT Kraken 240 is made of copper, which is highly thermal-conducting and quite effective in the quick transfer of the heat produced by the processor to the cooling liquid. This assures that the heat generated from high-performance processing units is managed well through the application of this cooler to ensure the optimum temperatures and longevity of the CPU. The housing around the copper block is plastic. This makes the water block even lighter and adds to the overall pleasant appearance. This choice of material for the water block is another demonstration of the intransigence of NZXT to combine functionality with aesthetic compatibility in the design of its liquid cooling solutions.
PUMP
- Power: The current specification for the NZXT Kraken 240 pump is 12V DC, 0.3A, meaning that a fine line has been drawn between efficiency with respect to energy consumption and performance capacity. This specification means that the pump can move the cooling liquid through the system quite effectively, optimizing the thermal management of the system with very little energy draw. In this regard, pump requirements are part of the considerations in the thoughtful design that supports the mission of NZXT to deliver powerful cooling solutions whilst making consciousness about power use and, ultimately, operational costs. Therefore, that would be congruent with the company mission of making performance-oriented products while remaining efficient and environmentally conscious.
- Motor Speed: The pump mounted to the NZXT Kraken 240 has an adjustable motor speed that varies from 800 to 2,800 ± 300 RPM. This allows a user to dial down on cooling performance to the system’s requirements, whether that means quiet operation in low-load scenarios or maximum cooling in high-performance scenarios. The flexibility of motor speed adjustment shall let the Kraken 240 give flawless performance in all workloads and make sure your CPU doesn’t get hot under the collar—literally—without unnecessary noise. This mirrors the true directive of NZXT: focusing on users who make quite fine demands in adjustments relating to their system’s thermal management, most often enthusiasts and professional users.
RADIATOR
- Dimensions: The dimensions of the NZXT Kraken 240 radiator are measured at 123mm x 275mm x 30mm. These dimensions are key in striking a good balance between the surface area required for cooling and compatibility with a significant number of PC cases. The overall radiator size is very important when thermal performance attaches it because it has big space to get rid of heat while still serving in different PC enclosures.
- Material: To keep true to the cooler’s design focus with regard to durability and performance, the radiator is made out of aluminum. The choice of material is due to the material’s high heat transfer coefficient and being light in weight with great thermal conduction. Lightweight with great thermal conduction, the aluminum will assure the cooling system well manages the high output of the latest high-performance CPUs. That pick of material sets once more the premise that NZXT will offer advanced cooling solutions, in no way designed with any compromise in the two facets of reliability and thermal performance.
TUBE
- Length: The length of the hose in this NZXT Kraken 240 is 400mm—indeed, flexible and with a pretty long reach to serve a good number of PC case sizes and configurations. Notice how this length has been carefully calculated to provide just enough necessary slack, permitting easy installation without compromising the integrity of either the cooling system or the aesthetic harmony within the case.
- Material: This tubing is built out of Ultra-low Evaporation Rubber, with sleeves of Nylon Braid for maximum durability and extended life. Selection of the material utilized in the manufacturing process of this component is to make sure that it brings the maximum performance in the ability of the tubing to reduce the evaporating rates of the coolant. Mechanical damage, together with improvement on aesthetics towards the cooler, is from the nylon braided sleeve—a confluence of these lines with the NZXT philosophy, where high functional efficiency meets an elegant appearance.
Advanced Cooling Technology
The NZXT Kraken 240 has fans with Fluid Dynamic Bearings and Static Pressure. These special fans are engineered to deliver the needed cooling forceful power right down to the very core of cooling systems. The unique thing about them is that they are designed to be efficient in operation where a lot of air resistance is present—precisely what makes them so useful inside the tightly packed PC housing that resists airflow.
The fans will reduce operational noise to almost zero, integrated with fluid dynamic bearings. With such technology, the fans can operate while producing reduced noise because of friction, hence enhancing the experience of the user. Among the features that make NZXT Kraken 240 a tool for great thermal management is that it keeps the environment quiet and serene.
Easy Installation Process
The NZXT Kraken 240 makes the installation process even easier with a single breakout cable connecting the pump straight into the motherboard. This thoughtful design choice reduces the number of cables that need to be organized and hidden with cables, hence reducing the time and difficulty in a setup; it makes it friendly for anybody. In addition, a cooler that is compatible with an extensive range of creations comes with support for the majority of processors used in current Intel (LGA 1700/1200/115X) and AMD processors (AM4, AM5).
Another feature that also comes with the cooler is high-performance thermal paste, pre-applied by NZXT. This will eliminate the guesswork and probable mess when applying thermal paste, making the installation cleaner and more efficient for the user. The Kraken 240 has extended tubing reinforced by durable nylon-braided sleeves to ensure that it is flexible and easy to install in a modern case. It brings durability that shall offer peace of mind during installation and adjustment, thus ensuring the cooler will perform for the longest period with the highest efficiency.
Materials and Build Quality
Made in such a way that it is built for the NZXT Kraken 240 Liquid Cooler, the casing material is a biracial aluminum, plus good plastic for that very sleek, modern look while tough and durable for long-life usage. Inclusion of aluminum in the making, the major area being the radiator, assures good heat dissipation at length toward efficient thermal management. On the other hand, the use of plastic, which is used on things that are hardy and tough, assures that it will last the rigors of daily use without compromising performance. This careful selection of materials bespeaks NZXT’s commitment to providing the user a product that is not only effective in cooling but superior in construction and design.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Superior Cooling Performance: Aluminum radiators, high-performance Asetek pumps, and static pressure fans with fluid dynamic bearings ensure that the CPU is kept at optimal temperatures, even under heavy workloads.
- Durability and Longevity: Use of high-quality materials such as aluminum for the radiator and ultra-low-evaporation rubber with nylon braided sleeves for the tubing provides an extra level of durability for the cooler, protecting it from excessive wear due to use over time.
- Sophisticated Design: The NZXT Kraken 240 comes with a perfect design that enhances the look of your PC build. The nylon-braided tube protects and adds an elegant touch to the overall aesthetic.
- Quiet Operation: The Kraken 240 is just plain amazing, silently operating due to fluid dynamic bearings in the fans and its high-performance pump design.
- Easy Installation: A single break-out cable connects the pump to the motherboard, and the thermal paste has been pre-applied to the cooler.
Cons
- Premium Price: Good quality components with advanced cooling technology indeed make these options very costly, going out of the range of everyone’s pocket.
- Size and Compatibility: Although the 400 mm of tubing gives great flexibility for use in various case sizes, the actual physical dimension of the cooler is somewhat large in size, and it might thus have compatibility issues when it comes to small cases or tight builds.
- Complexity for Novices: Full novices to PC building will probably need some help with the process, even though there is an attempt for the installation to be made simple in comparison to more basic cooling solutions.
- Maintenance Requirements: Maintenance of the coolant level and consistent monitoring has to be upheld for it to give great performance, which might prove to be a disadvantage to the type of customer looking to have a ‘fit-and-forget’ solution.
- Limited Aesthetic Customization: Although this cooler looks very sleek, its design may not appeal to users who are looking for a vast number of RGB lighting and personal customization to match a theme or personal preference.
Conclusion
Due to this factor, the NZXT Kraken 240 is a very high-power cooling solution suitable for only a high-performance computing system. Promising the newest technology, such as the Asetek pump and static pressure fans using liquid dynamic bearings, it really does have a lot of assurance toward the cooling performance and its durability.
The easy installation and quality materials have made the Kraken 240 very appealing to many, from beginners to seasoned PC builders. Perhaps the only con would be its premium pricing, compatibility in terms of size, and maintenance issues, in which the pros greatly outweigh the cons. For this reason, the NZXT Kraken 240 should be considered a worthy investment for people who really care about saving the life of their computing hardware and having optimal performance.
FAQ
What CPUs are compatible with the NZXT Kraken 240?
The NZXT Kraken 240 is compatible with most processors having Intel (LGA 1700/1200/115X) and AMD processors (AM4, AM5).
Can the NZXT Kraken 240 fit in any PC case?
Though the Kraken 240 is developed to be very versatile—with 400 mm of flexible tubing—it might be too large physically to fit super small PC cases or very tight builds. You’ll want to check dimensions on this cooler against the specs on your case before purchasing this one.
Is the NZXT Kraken 240 suitable for beginners in PC building?
Yes, the Kraken 240 is designed to be simple. Hence, things like a single breakout cable for connection from the pump to the motherboard and pre-applied thermal paste actually make the install easier for beginners, though some novices might still need help with the overall process.
Does the NZXT Kraken 240 come with warranty?
Yes, the Kraken 240 does come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Warranty details, including its length and what it covers, can be verified on the official NZXT website or with any of the approved resellers of the company.
How often does the coolant need to be refilled or replaced?
The NZXT Kraken 240 is a closed-type system, designed to expect no regular maintenance or refilling with coolant under normal conditions. Nevertheless, it is good once in a while to give the system a leak check or check for evaporative losses.
