I'm building my PC next week and I've mistakenly ordered the 2023 version of the NZXT Kraken Elite instead of the 2024 version. Should I stick with the 2023 model, upgrade to the 2024, or just go for a Noctua cooler, which is much cheaper? I'm new to this whole PC building thing, so any guidance would be appreciated!
5 Answers
If you're still deciding, I’d recommend going for the Peerless Assassin instead. It's a solid cooler and you'll save some cash to spend on other parts of your system, or just keep it for savings! Check it out here: pcpartpicker.com/product/hYxRsY/thermalright-peerless-assassin-120-se-6617-cfm-cpu-cooler-pa120-se-d3
NZXT AIOs aren’t the best for their price. I’d suggest either returning it and getting a Thermalright Phantom Spirit air cooler or one of their midrange AIOs for better performance without breaking the bank.
I have a Kraken myself and honestly, I kind of regret going with it. I wish I had opted for air cooling instead. The whole water cooling thing sounded cool until I realized how much simpler air coolers are and how well they perform too.
Honestly, the cooler you're considering might be overkill for the 9800X3D. This CPU doesn’t need extreme cooling, so a simpler solution might work just fine. You could easily make do with a good air cooler.
For real, you just need something decent; the 9800X3D isn't super demanding.
If you can return the Kraken and don’t mind waiting for a new one, I’d definitely say go for the 2024 version since it's better. But honestly, if you just want to save some money, the Noctua fans are pretty great too. You won't really miss out much.
What’s the big difference between the 2023 and 2024? Should I really worry about it?
Yeah, how noticeable is the upgrade? Is it worth the wait?
That’s good to know! I was worried about overheating.