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Review: NZXT Kraken Z53 RGB White

by Parm Mann on 11 October 2021, 14:01

Tags: NZXT

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaeraa

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Conclusion

...one of the most stylish AIOs on the market, though there is a hefty premium to pay...

NZXT is relaunching its X- and Z-Series Kraken liquid coolers with a fresh coat of paint.

Now available in matte white, the 240mm, 280mm or 360mm all-in-ones are well suited to a themed build and offer a familiar formula of Asetek pump, aluminium radiator and eye-catching Aer RGB fans. Add to that a customisable LCD display and you have one of the most stylish AIOs on the market, though there is a hefty premium to pay, with prices starting at £230 for our 240mm review model.

At this end of the market you might expect perfection in all areas, but NZXT falls short of that mark with overly aggressive out-the-box fan profiles, more cable clutter than we'd like, and an absence of any spare thermal paste. Such niggles are offset through dazzling RGB, straightforward mounting and a six-year warranty, but pricing undoubtedly remains the largest hurdle.

Bottom line: all-in-one coolers don't come much prettier than this and NZXT's latest Krakens are a fine fit for a premium snow-white build.

The Good
  
The Bad
Well suited to a themed build
Customisable LCD display
Straightforward mounting system
Good cooling performance
Six-year warranty
  
Costs over £200
Aggressive default fan profile
No spare thermal paste



NZXT Kraken Z53 RGB White

HEXUS.where2buy*

The NZXT Kraken Z53 RGB White is available to order from Scan Computers.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.


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Posted by mers - Mon 11 Oct 2021 15:57
I know I stand to get slated here but also bear in mind I don't game and just use my PC as a PC , internet , work , downloads , Emails and watch a few films. Yes I have a glass sided case but only because it was on a silly clear out price from CCL computers ( £52 as opposed to the £129 RRP ) I have 5x Led 120 case fans with controller ( 3 front , 2 top) which were at a silly price too and cheaper than me buying quality name brands.This was part of my new build 2 years ago to go with a Ryzen 5 2600 , MSI B450 Pro Carbon and 16GB of Gskill 3200 Trident Z ( bought the RGB version on a whim). I'm not into the RGB craze at all in PC's and the beast sits under my desk so I only see the front one's anyway , unless I turn the lighting off. Now I'm not into liquid cooling at all , added worry of leaks, failing pumps etc and costs. I've always favoured air cooling and very pleased with my Artic cooling 34 EsportsDuo , almost as good as a Noctua and half the price. That price of £230 for the 240 is about what I paid for my Ryzen and motherboard combined and wouldn't entertain that even if I wanted an AIO. My air cooler keeps my Ryzen ( clocked at a steady 4ghz ) @ 28c idle and don't think it went past 60 running Battlefield when briefly testing a GPU I had. Horses for courses I know but AIO's are not for me.
Posted by QuorTek - Mon 11 Oct 2021 23:06
I don't get the display you need on it, I mean it is not like am going to watch into the PC while it is running and if need to monitor something, it would be easier to put that up on the the monitors. or something down those lines uh…. and yes I do them crazy builds… but putting the PC under the desk… and having additional noise reduction due to that… also to the price I usuallly build for…. then I can't afford my rig to be on the desk…. as it could accidentially drop down and that would be uo to 4-5000£ down the drain… I hate anything RGB, however when opening the case or by press of a button I can put light into it, to check on stuff if I hear/feel/notice a malfunction, or something that is not right, byt that is another story.

Also LAN parties is more of a thing of the past, so lesser room to flex at as well with a lightshow, I wish these companies in general would also grant no RGB variants, sporting the eg. the same equipment factory OC's and more for a lesser cost, am sure that is where people would go at.
Posted by mers - Tue 12 Oct 2021 09:49
I can understand the appeal to some , bling , glitz , saves buying a Christmas tree anyway. lol. Only thing I like and insist on having is a backlit keyboard and I mean only lit under individual keys. I'm normally in a darkened room and write a fair bit when on the PC and this makes for a better experience for me. I've always dabbled with electronics and even customised my cars dashboard and switches with blue Leds but with PC's having Leds flashing or glowing around you I would find distracting and annoying. As stated my PC is under the desk anyway and out of the way where it should be , I want to look at the screen not the case but each to their own. As you stated there is the added cost in manufacture putting the disco effect in to products which we have to pay extra for but this is the present craze and companys see an added cash cow and will makethe most of it , it's business after all. Rope light mains leads and rainbow wall plugs next no doubt. lol.
Posted by OOSeven - Tue 12 Oct 2021 20:26
mers
I know I stand to get slated here but also bear in mind I don't game and just use my PC as a PC , internet , work , downloads , Emails and watch a few films. Yes I have a glass sided case but only because it was on a silly clear out price from CCL computers ( £52 as opposed to the £129 RRP ) I have 5x Led 120 case fans with controller ( 3 front , 2 top) which were at a silly price too and cheaper than me buying quality name brands.This was part of my new build 2 years ago to go with a Ryzen 5 2600 , MSI B450 Pro Carbon and 16GB of Gskill 3200 Trident Z ( bought the RGB version on a whim). I'm not into the RGB craze at all in PC's and the beast sits under my desk so I only see the front one's anyway , unless I turn the lighting off. Now I'm not into liquid cooling at all , added worry of leaks, failing pumps etc and costs. I've always favoured air cooling and very pleased with my Artic cooling 34 EsportsDuo , almost as good as a Noctua and half the price. That price of £230 for the 240 is about what I paid for my Ryzen and motherboard combined and wouldn't entertain that even if I wanted an AIO. My air cooler keeps my Ryzen ( clocked at a steady 4ghz ) @ 28c idle and don't think it went past 60 running Battlefield when briefly testing a GPU I had. Horses for courses I know but AIO's are not for me.

So thats like saying Im not into games that much in a review for a 3090.