Conclusion

...while rival solutions have taken a streamlined approach with fewer cables and no software, NZXT targets power users hungry for customisation options and unique styling.

Eye-catching design has always played a prominent part in product development at NZXT, and in the case of the Kraken X52 it really shows.

The firm's latest 240mm all-in-one cooler touts one of the most attractive pumps to date, with a mirrored top and LED illumination that offers instant appeal to anyone who has bought into NZXT's HUE+ range.

Looking good is only part of the appeal, as there's plenty of cooling potential for an overclocked CPU, software-based customisation, and both the fans and pump run with ultra-low noise, making this the quietest all-in-one liquid cooler we've ever tested.

Are there any major downsides? Well, the £130 price tag will serve as a stumbling block for most, and some may argue that the hardware-and-software combination is a tad too involved for something as simple as a humble CPU cooler. There's no harm in having a choice, mind, and while rival solutions have taken a streamlined approach with fewer cables and no software, NZXT targets power users hungry for customisation options and unique styling.

Bottom line: want a liquid cooler that looks the part and comes packed with features? Kraken X52 is, in our estimation, the best-looking all-in-one CPU cooler that money can buy.

The Good		The Bad
RGB illumination does look cool Keeps noise levels down to a minimum Multiple customisation options via CAM Very capable cooling performance Six-year warranty as standard		Can't be expanded A fair few cables to contend with No spare thermal paste

NZXT Kraken X52

HEXUS.where2buy

The NZXT Kraken X52 is available to purchase from Scan Computers.

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“More of a ballache to install, more expensive than, and not as good performance as, a Noctua” - applies to this, and pretty much all, of these AIO coolers.

I dunno if it's just because I'm getting older, but I just can't justify including something like this in a build when air coolers are doing a bang up job on their own, without introducing more moving parts and liquid

It is definitely a good looking cooler, but as I am not made of money I would rather stick to something like the 212 evo, on my kind of budget that cooler is not far off the price I would pay for the CPU itself!

Now if I was very rich and simply wanted to build the best looking machine money could buy as a hobby project, something like this would be a very nice touch indeed, especially inside a matching NZXT case!

EVO here as well and with temps going down the use for such stuff is more want then need.

Tunnah
“More of a ballache to install, more expensive than, and not as good performance as, a Noctua” - applies to this, and pretty much all, of these AIO coolers.

I dunno if it's just because I'm getting older, but I just can't justify including something like this in a build when air coolers are doing a bang up job on their own, without introducing more moving parts and liquid

Well said.

Tunnah
“More of a ballache to install, more expensive than, and not as good performance as, a Noctua” - applies to this, and pretty much all, of these AIO coolers.

I dunno if it's just because I'm getting older, but I just can't justify including something like this in a build when air coolers are doing a bang up job on their own, without introducing more moving parts and liquid

It helps in my mini-ITX system as it cuts down on a bulky cooler in the case.