Watch: NZXT’s Kraken AIO CPU cooler nails performance for price

All-in-one coolers are all the rage these days because they bring liquid cooling technology to the masses without having to deal with the liquid. Take the NZXT Kraken 240mm, for example. It packs plenty of features into an easy-to-use format, with a little added spice with a 1.5-inch LCD screen on the main unit. Will Smith tested it for the latest PCWorld video on YouTube.

Will says he likes the affordable price ($140 retail) and size of this variant of the Kraken, even if the small screen isn’t the flashiest on the market. It’s also probably not a must-have if you’re looking for an ultra-clean look for your PC’s interior, since it has a proprietary control cable that hangs from the head. This is not a problem in terms of aesthetics, but some will not like it. With a smaller heatsink and less intense fans, it’s probably not enough to cool even the most ridiculous overclocked processors. If you can afford a Threadripper, look elsewhere.

That said, it’s ideal for someone looking for a starter liquid cooling setup or anyone who wants something easy to install and use. Once you’ve installed the fans and powered them up along with the built-in pump, you’re ready to rock, with an impressive default ‘quiet’ profile on the NZXT Cam software. It’s probably not for someone who wants the most interoperability or customization, but it’s a good choice for regular users. The same design comes with an RGB variant in black or white.

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