Kraken Plus 280 – AIO CPU Liquid Cooler – 280mm Radiator – 2 x F140P Fans – Customizable 1.54" Square LCD – AMD® AM5, AM4 – Intel® LGA 1851/1700, 1200/115X – Black

You really need to hear this story. Read it in a Morgan Freeman voice, I promise it will be enjoyable. After all, I wrote it in a Morgan Freeman voice. I had a computer which was actually pretty great, I just needed one with more power. Nothing wrong with it, it was only a couple years old, but it was time for an upgrade. Both computers had liquid cooling systems, because that's just me. After I got the new computer, I stored the prior computer hoping to gift it to a friend, any friend. I laid it in the box that the new computer came in, on its side. Now, this may be common knowledge to people other than me, but apparently you shouldn't store liquid-cooled computers on their side for over a year. This is how I found that out. I gifted the computer to a friend of mine. Well, they got it home and set up. Then they reached out to me: "Hey, Visa, looks great but after a few moments, an overheating warning comes up and the computer shuts down." Well, I just had to guess that the problem was the liquid cooler, which had been horizontal for over a year. Now, I know this was a free PC for my friend (my friend's daughter, actually, but the daughter of my friend is my friend and all), and maybe I could have told them they were on their own, but I felt a bit bad about that. Well, I insisted (and believe me, I had to insist) on getting a replacement cooler. Their price? They'd have to install it. And I found this one. And, welllll, because I like to over-do things, I got them some pretty nice thermal paste (unnecessary for this item, I must say). Well, from what I understand, this new pump allows the same amount of cooling as the old pump. Yes, it's pretty. But it's also powerful enough to keep the CPU cool. Cable length wasn't a problem. Well, this little gadget by default shows you the temperature of your CPU. And apparently, there's a way to make it display things from YouTube like Jellyfish, I'm told. I was hoping for a picture of that, but, well, the way the PC is set up (digital face of the pump facing a wall) won't allow that. That's all right. Well, it's been 8 months now child, and this pump is still going strong. It is definitely a durable replacement. They're happy they have an amazing PC. I'm happy that amazing PC found a great home. In the end, everybody wins, and it's especially nice that all it took was a reasonably priced pump with some optional extras (that I admittedly can't tell you how to do).

I've only had mine up for a short time now, installed on a B650 Gigabyte Aorus Elite AX motherboard with a 7800x3D in an NZXT H6 Flow case, but it's been perfect for what I wanted. The AIO itself is probably overkill for a 7800x3D, so if you're strictly looking to cool your fancy shmancy new processor you don't have to spend this much to do it. Go for a Thermalright Phantom Spirit or something inexpensive; this is only really necessary if you want the aesthetic that it provides. Since I live in an old house with no AC, an AIO can be a nice help in the hot summer months and the ease of airflow in and out of the case makes keeping the entire system relatively cool a lot easier, but still... it's a premium price for the look you want more than the functionality. This AIO does include brackets for AM4, AM5, and for Intel LGA1700 installs, and it's deceptively easy to install; the instructions aren't particularly clear, and I've normally just stuck with air cooling in the past so this was a new one for me. Since I installed it on AM5, it was just a matter of removing the plastic CPU brackets on the motherboard and then screwing in the dual-post screws (long side toward motherboard, instructions are unclear on this) with the AIO's included plastic brackets for each facing in the indicated way for AM5. The metal bracket on the CPU cooler twists off easily, and you can then just replace it with the version you need if the pre-installed bracket wasn't what you wanted. Thermal paste is pre-applied to the cooler, and the pipes from the cooler to the radiator are flexible enough to be adjusted to however you need them to be. And that's pretty much it, just screw it on with the provided thumb screws and you're done. Watching an install video can help if you're a first timer or uncomfortable with the process, but it's much easier than it appears at first glance and was much more simple than dealing with some of the annoying backplate support designs that some air coolers have. The NZXT CAM software has been easy to use and has plenty of useful information on it, you can rotate and customize the display of the CPU cooler to show what you want (I use GPU/CPU temp information on mine, looks nice and functionally useful). No complaints about the software at all, sometimes that sort of thing can be futzy to deal with but this was very simple to set up and understand how to use. Overall, it's outstanding. The install was easy, the fans aren't silent but aren't any louder than my case fans, it keeps everything very cool even on a warm day.... couldn't ask for much more. If something like this looks cool to you for the build you're doing and you can afford the price difference over air cooling, I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with this one.

Nice black look for any predominantly black builds. Lcd is clear and bright. cpu hasn't went above 50 C°, so works great. Easy to mount and fit my asus tuf gaming z590 gaming plus wifi great. Pushes air like crazy. I did switch out the fans to aftermarket lian li lcd fans.

This is a great CPU cooler. It keeps my CPU much cooler than the air cooler I had before. It also fits in my mini-itx case, which is a huge win. The set up was pretty simple and the paper instructions ensured that I didn't make any mistakes. However, the fan connectors do not work on my system, after researching, I found to be a common problem. What I mean is that there is a cable that can fit three fans included in this AIO, but with the two fans included, when plugged into my sys_fan plug on my GIGABYTE Z590I AORUS motherboard, the connector cable does not power the fans enough. The fix to this was to not use this cable and instead plug in the fans separately. This works, but I had to buy a separate fan splitter for my other fans. A little annoying, but not the end of the world.

Excellent product. I had been using the old Kraken X62 for 7 years until the pump suddenly died. I purchased this 280mm version as a replacement for my Ryzen 9 5900X. Shipping to Argentina was incredibly fast: I ordered it on Sunday and it arrived at my door by Friday. Setup was very easy; the instructions and hardware were all included. In terms of performance, it keeps my 5900X at around 45-53°C (113-127°F) while idling, which is great for this CPU. The built-in display is a fantastic feature. I'm currently using it to track the live BTC price! Highly recommended.

Awesome product, easy to install. Worked on my Dell motherboard no problem, I just don't have the readout. But no major compatibility issues with Alienware AurorasR8. Won't fit OEM case. Only aftermarket...

I could not get this white NZXT RGB 360 to change fan speeds. I tried different fan headers... the AIO Pump header, and the CPU & CPU Options fan headers, and the three 120mm fans on the AIO ran only at 100%. Actually the fan RPMs ran normal a few minutes at first, and would jump to full speed with my CPU still at idle & 28C degrees. The fans plug into the AIO pump, and the pump controls the RPMs. The NZXT software's fan adjustments did absolutely nothing to lower the RPMs, and it even has a sliding adjuster on the software interface. No matter which position I set it to, the RPMs remained at 100%. Other people posted complaints about this problem on a forum, and the only fix was to return it, or plug the three NZXT fans into your motherboard directly; not on the pump. Since I was still in the 30-day return period I took the easy way out. This AIO looks really nice, and I would have done more troubleshooting, except the NZXT software required to run everything kept trying to phone home, and I didn't like that. During bootup my computer is not connected to the internet until I manually turn on my VPN... and the NZXT software didn't like that, and would just hang there on a blank screen until I turned my VPN on, and made an internet connection; then the NZXT software dashboard appeared. That is something I'm very leary about. I bought a $110 air-cooler with just one 140mm ugly tan/brown fan between two massive heatsink towers, and to my surprise my cpu does not even reach 60C during intense gaming, and at idle the temps are exactly the temperature of my room... wow! To be fair many people bought this NZXT AIO, and it ran good, and without problems. There are many good reviews with NZXT liquid coolers, and this NZXT AIO looked very good inside my case. It felt solid and well made. I might have kept it had the fans worked properly, however, I'm still skeptical about their Cam software required to run this AIO, and the fact it wouldn't open during bootup unless I had a live Internet connection. Ohh, and there is an option to uncheck for the Cam software not to share your PC performance stats with NZXT, yet somehow it kept appearing with a check in the box to share my PC info with them....

The NZXT Kraken 360 is a liquid CPU cooler designed for high-performance cooling in desktop systems. In this unbiased review, we'll evaluate its various aspects to provide you with a comprehensive overview. **Cooling Performance (4.5/5):** The NZXT Kraken 360 offers excellent cooling performance, thanks to its 360mm radiator and powerful fans. With a larger surface area and efficient liquid cooling, it's capable of keeping your CPU temperatures in check even under heavy workloads or during overclocking. It's a great choice for users who demand top-tier cooling capabilities. **Noise Levels (4/5):** While the Kraken 360 provides impressive cooling, the noise levels can be a bit of a concern. The included fans can get a bit loud when running at full speed. However, this can be mitigated by adjusting fan profiles through the software. At lower speeds, the noise levels are more acceptable, but if you're looking for a whisper-quiet system, you may need to make custom fan curve adjustments. **Build Quality (4.5/5):** NZXT is known for its quality build, and the Kraken 360 is no exception. The cooler features a solid construction with a durable pump and radiator. The tubes are flexible yet sturdy, and the overall build instills confidence in its long-term reliability. **Installation (4/5):** Installing the Kraken 360 can be a bit more involved than air coolers, especially due to the radiator and fan setup. However, NZXT provides clear and detailed instructions, and most users with a basic understanding of PC components should be able to handle the installation. The mounting system is secure, ensuring proper contact with the CPU. **Software (4/5):** The NZXT CAM software is a crucial part of the Kraken 360 experience. It provides comprehensive control over the cooler, allowing you to fine-tune fan speeds and monitor temperatures. The software is user-friendly, but some users may find it resource-intensive. It's worth noting that you'll need to install the software to unlock the cooler's full potential. **Aesthetics (5/5):** The Kraken 360 is known for its aesthetics. It features customizable RGB lighting on the pump head, allowing users to match it with their system's color scheme. The RGB effects are vibrant, and the pump head design is sleek, making it a visually appealing addition to any build. **Value (4/5):** The NZXT Kraken 360 is positioned in the premium cooler category, and while it offers excellent cooling performance, build quality, and aesthetics, it might not be the best value for users on a tight budget. If you're willing to invest in a high-end liquid cooler with top-notch features, this is an excellent choice. **Conclusion:** The NZXT Kraken 360 is a high-performance liquid CPU cooler that excels in cooling capabilities, build quality, and aesthetics. It's an ideal choice for enthusiasts and gamers who prioritize efficient cooling and want a cooler that looks as good as it performs. While the noise levels at high fan speeds could be a drawback for some, the overall experience and customizability provided by the NZXT CAM software make it a premium cooling solution for those willing to invest in their PC setup.