NZXT KRAKEN ELITE RGB V2 240, 280, and 360 CPU Cooler Review
Conclusion
Conclusion – The Kraken Elite V2 series is a huge upgrade for NZXT’s high-end CPU cooler lineup
I’ll be honest: New versions of existing liquid coolers are rarely this interesting. Sometimes, you get new fans, sometimes a refined pump design, and sometimes, we get new features like an LCD screen or improved RGB lighting. It’s rare that we see almost everything change at once.
The world of CPU liquid cooling solutions is changing. Asetek’s dominance over this market is over. That means that manufacturers can explore other options, either by partnering with other pump manufacturers or by building something entirely their own. NZXT’s 2024 Kraken Elite series has moved away from Asetek and now uses its custom “NZXT Turbine” pump. This new pump allows NZXT’s newest Kraken coolers to compete with the best on the market.
The Kraken 2024 series is defined by three changes. First, there is NZXT’s new “Turbine” pump. Next, we have this AIO’s use of a single-frame RGB fanset. Finally, we have this AIO’s larger LCD screen and its surrounding RGB LED ring. This gives the Kraken 2024 series improved performance and improved aesthetics. Good news for everyone!
Excellent cooling performance
Honestly, I was surprised by how well the 240mm version of this AIO performed. It always delivered thermals similar to those of many, much larger, liquid coolers in our tests. Yes, the larger 280mm and 360mm always delivered lower thermals, but the 240mm version is no slouch. It delivered CPU thermals that were shockingly close to Arctic’s Liquid Freezer III 420mm cooler. That’s crazy, given the size difference of these cooling solutions. As the old adage goes, “It isn’t size that matters; it’s how you use it.”
As for the 280mm and 360mm models, both performed incredibly similarly in our testing. If you are considering both, just buy the version that is the best fit for your system. Overall, the 360mm model delivered the best performance, but not by a huge margin. Both models delivered some of the best results in our graphs. Not bad NZXT!
We love the NZXT’s new Kraken V2 screen
One of the primary upgrades included with NZXT’s new Kraken Elite 2024 model is its improved screen. For starters, the screen is 30% larger, measuring 2.72 inches in diameter. Next, it moves from a TFT-LCD screen to an IPS screen. Beyond that, this new screen has an RGB LED ring to deliver further aesthetic improvements. These LEDs can match the content on the screen or be used in other ways. A neat addition, to be sure.
This screen can display videos, GIFs, or static images. It can also display system information or deliver real-time performance metrics. It can even integrate with Spotify or YouTube to deliver some interesting effects.
The larger size of this screen makes content much more visible than the same content on NZXT’s 2023 Kraken Elite model. The move to an IPS screen also adds to the screen’s vibrancy despite its identical brightness specifications. Overall, it is a solid upgrade.
We are pleased with NZXT’s new Kraken Elite 2024 series liquid coolers. Actually… Let’s upgrade that to enthusiastic! We are excited to see NZXT invest in new pump technology, and we are pleased to see that it is paying off for them. Beyond that, we are happy that NZXT’s upgrades don’t end there. Their new single-body fans are aesthetically pleasing and easy to install. Additionally, their new screen adds a little more wow factor to the Kraken Elite series. With all this in mind, we have decided to give NZXT’s Kraken Elite V2 (2024) CPU liquid coolers the OC3D Enthusiast Grade Award.
You can join the discussion on NZXT’s new KRAKEN ELITE V2 series of RGB liquid coolers on the OC3D Forums.
