At CGMagazine, we’ve used the NZXT Kraken all-in-one cooler in various forms across many of our personal and office PC builds. I personally run the NZXT Kraken Elite 360 mm in my gaming rig, so it’s safe to say these coolers have proven themselves time and again. That’s why, when the new NZXT Kraken 360 RGB landed on my desk, I was eager to give it a try. While it may not be the cheapest cooler on the market, or the flashiest in the Kraken line, the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB delivers solid performance and looks good doing it—ready to suit a range of builds and needs.
Unboxing the cooler reveals a familiar-looking design that feels modern while maintaining NZXT’s signature look. The pump head features a crisp 1.54-inch square LCD display with a 240×240 resolution and a 30 Hz refresh rate. This screen isn’t just an aesthetic touch—it allows users to monitor system performance in real time or personalize their setup with custom images, animated GIFs and essential system metrics, all managed through NZXT’s CAM software.
As someone who likes to add a bit of style to my PC builds, I’m a fan of the screen. To be fair, NZXT has ensured it’s more than a gimmick—displaying important system information and making any issues clear and easy to understand. This is especially helpful if you’re overclocking your system or working in a space where heat is a concern. Do you need the screen? Of course not. But it proves itself useful—and it doesn’t hurt that it looks as sharp as it does.
If you’ve installed an AIO cooler before, setting up the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB is fairly straightforward. It’s designed to be approachable, aided by a single breakout cable that connects all essential components from the pump to the motherboard. NZXT includes mounting brackets for both the latest Intel (LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, 115X) and AMD platforms (AM5, AM4), ensuring broad compatibility. The cooler also comes with pre-applied NZXT High-Performance Thermal Paste, simplifying installation. That said, experienced builders may prefer to clean it off and apply their own thermal paste—a step we take at CGM to ensure optimal performance and consistent results during benchmarking and testing.
With everything installed and the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB AIO running as intended, it impressed by keeping the modern CPUs we tested in check—even under load. The embedded pump circulates coolant efficiently and quietly at up to 2,800 RPM. Idle acoustics remain notably restrained, with noise levels hovering between 30 and 34 dB(A), creating a comfortable sonic backdrop. Under heavier loads, the trio of F120 RGB Core fans—spinning between 500 and 1,800 RPM—delivers ample airflow without producing the high-pitched whine often associated with competing high-output fans.
Users sensitive to sound will appreciate the fine-tuning available through NZXT’s CAM software, which allows them to tweak fan curves or enable a zero-RPM mode for total silence under light loads. That said, for optimal cooling performance, it’s best to allow some fan activity—though the option for quieter operation is a welcome touch.
While the Kraken 360 RGB looks fantastic when fully operational, what truly impressed me was how effectively it handled the heat from the flagship CPUs we test here at CGM. The cooler managed to keep temperatures in check on some of the hottest chips we have in-house, including the AMD Ryzen 9 and Intel’s Core i9 lines. During both stress testing and real-world gaming sessions, temperatures remained comfortably below the thresholds where thermal throttling might affect performance. Even with an overclocked processor or demanding workflow, the cooler maintained stable thermal behaviour—often keeping readings below 70°C under heavy load in our NZXT H9 test build case, but your mileage may vary depending on chassis airflow and ambient conditions.
“With everything installed and the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB AIO running as intended, it impressed by keeping the modern CPUs we tested in check—even under load.”
The single-unit triple fan on the 360mm radiator features individually addressable LEDs, synchronized through the included RGB controller, offering a range of ways to customize the look of the Kraken 360 RGB. Lighting transitions are smooth, and the wide spectrum of effects can be matched with other peripherals and components to create a cohesive build theme. For those who value aesthetics, the seamless lighting integration sets the Kraken apart from many competitors—embracing vibrant colours without veering into garish territory. The rubber tubing, reinforced with braided nylon, not only provides leak protection but also enhances the cooler’s clean, refined appearance, offering both durability and elegance
While the design of the Kraken 360 RGB has improved over past iterations in terms of cable management—thanks to the single-fan unit design—careful planning is still required to ensure everything fits without obstructing other components. Despite smart design choices, this is a large cooler. In addition to needing a case that supports it, builders must ensure it does not interfere with other parts of the system.
The large CPU block and fans, along with RGB wiring, can quickly crowd available routing channels. However, the streamlined, single-cable breakout from the pump helps ease this challenge in most setups. We had no issues in office with any of our mid-tower cases, but when you are looking to drop this much on an AIO cooler, it is better to plan ahead.
And that brings me to my biggest issue with the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB: the price. With an MSRP of $319.99, the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB is one of the pricier AIO coolers on the market—and that price tag brings high expectations. While some may wish for a larger display or even quieter operation under the most demanding benchmarks, NZXT delivers a premium device that stands confidently among the best. Its mix of strong cooling performance, restrained noise levels and exceptional aesthetics makes for a winning combination.
Let’s cut to the case: I really like this cooler. NZXT has mastered the art of building all-in-one coolers, and the Kraken 360 RGB is a testament to that quality and performance.
After using the NZXT Kraken 360 RGB AIO CPU cooler for a while now, I can confidently recommend it to builders who demand strong thermal performance and want their rig to stand out. Whether you’re overclocking, streaming, gaming or want your PC to look as sharp as it runs, this cooler delivers. While not the cheapest or the flashiest, the Kraken 360 RGB offers rock-solid performance, excellent cooling and just enough visual flair to elevate any build.
- PERSONALIZATION THAT POPS: Display a favorite animated GIF or static image, monitor real-time PC performance metrics, see music that’s currently playing, integrate web content and more with NZXT CAM software.
- LCD DISPLAY: 1.54″” square LCD display with 240×240 resolution, 30 Hz refresh rate, and bright 300 cd/m² backlight brings on-screen content to life.
