I'm trying to figure out if NZXT liquid coolers are a good choice or if there are better alternatives in a similar price range. I recently bought a prebuilt PC and was disappointed with the Cooler Master air cooler it came with—it just couldn't handle the heat, sometimes hitting 80-90°F. I'm looking to swap it out, apply fresh thermal paste, and thought about getting the Kraken 240mm liquid cooler, especially since it's on sale for $110. Is it worth that price, or should I consider another option?
3 Answers
A 240mm AIO like the Kraken is generally going to perform similarly to other 240mm models. The biggest factors for performance are usually the fans. The Liquid Freezer III stands out because it has a thicker design and includes a VRM fan, plus it’s fairly priced compared to others. I've had good experiences with NZXT, but their CAM software can be a bit buggy. And if your old cooler was just a standard air cooler, upgrading should definitely help lower your temps!
You might wanna check out alternatives! For around $50, you can grab a 360mm Thermalright AIO cooler, which is a pretty solid option. Also, the dual tower air cooler Thermalright PA120 is only about $35 and does a great job too. Plenty of options out there for better cooling without breaking the bank!
While a 240mm AIO will give you similar performance to a dual 120mm air cooler, it does have the advantage of potentially better case airflow and a more compact build. It's still good to consider airflow in your case, though. The Liquid Freezer III might be on the higher end but worth it for the cooling performance if you're looking to keep your temps in check.
Good to know! I definitely need a better upgrade than that air cooler.