NZXT launches Kraken sealed-loop coolers
NZXT's Kraken X40 and X60 are Asetek ODM units, but fitted with 140mm or 240mm radiators respectively.
The NZXT Kraken X40 and X60 are designed as install-and-forget sealed-loop liquid cooling systems, featuring a central pump connected to an all-copper coldplate compatible with all current AMD and Intel socket types. If the design looks familiar, there's a good reason for that: both products are clearly based on cooling specialist Asetek's original design manufacturer (ODM) closed-loop offerings.
That's not to say that NZXT hasn't tried to innovate, though. Unlike most rebranded Asetek products, the Kraken X40 comes with a 140mm radiator - larger than the usual 120mm - while the X60 comes with a 280mm radiator. The cheaper X40 packs a single NZXT FX-140 PWM fan, with the option of fitting a second in a push-pull configuration, with the X60 packing two fans with support for four. The larger X60 also makes the interesting decision of using a SATA connector for its power, helping to reduce clutter in the case.
NZXT's HUE lighting controller is compatible while software is included for toggling the speed of the fans and monitoring the temperature of the coolant. The cabling on both models is sleeved in black and features extended 16" tubing to help route neatly through larger tower cases. Performance figures, sadly, have yet to be shared.
UK pricing for the Kraken family has yet to be confirmed, with NZXT setting a US price of $99 for the X40 and $139 for the X60 (around £61 and £86 respectively, excluding taxes.)
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4 Comments
Discuss in the forums Replyone idea I've yet to see is to use a Peltier TEC cooler to get the heat off the CPU which is then water cooled - might help get temps even further down, however, extra power is needed
Dont they generally use more power than the CPU it's cooling though? It seems incredibly unnecessary unless you are going for extreme overclock benchmarks but dont want to use liquid nitrogen.
I tried to held myself but I have to do it.... RELEASE THE KRAKEN!
(I'll go get my coat)
One thing to keep in mind is that when a TEC fails it becomes an excellent insulator. It's about the only cooling product with that property. Most other coolers will suffer greatly in performance upon critical failure, but they still dissipate some heat. Otherwise they're pretty nice and are even stackable, I'd just be wary of it failing. Maybe only use it for suicide runs, not 24/7. YMMV. Good luck.