I'm planning a new liquid-cooled PC and am considering an NZXT cooler because I'm familiar with the brand and the pricing seems reasonable. I'd like to keep the CPU cooler under $200 USD. The system would mainly be used for CAD work, gaming such as Valorant, and occasional streaming. I don't currently overclock and probably won't be using an extremely high-end processor; I'm considering something like a newer Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.
I'm comparing the 240 mm versions of the Kraken Elite and Kraken Plus. I understand that the Elite has a larger, more polished LCD and possibly a stronger pump, but the price difference is almost $150. I'm not especially concerned about having a large display—any functional LCD would be fine. Is there a meaningful cooling or feature difference that justifies the extra cost, or would the Kraken Plus be the better value?
3 Answers
The Elite has a larger screen and a more capable pump, so it may run a little cooler, but that difference probably won’t matter for a 9th-generation i7 or a modern midrange Core i5 or Ryzen 5. You’re unlikely to get a meaningful benefit from spending an additional $150 unless you specifically want the Elite’s appearance or extra display features.
With two 240 mm AIOs, the radiator size is the main factor, so their real-world cooling performance should be fairly close. Pump and fan differences can shift temperatures by a few degrees, but the large price gap is mostly paying for the Elite’s larger display and design features. For a midrange processor, the Plus should be more than adequate.
A $200 cooler may be overkill for the kind of system you described. A good 240 mm AIO—or even a quality air cooler—should handle a midrange CPU comfortably. Put the savings toward the processor, graphics card, or platform instead, since those upgrades will have a much larger effect on performance.
I’m replacing an old Alienware system, so I was talking about the new CPU I plan to buy rather than keeping the 9th-generation chip. I’m probably looking at an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, but I didn’t realize my current processor was considered that old.