Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of this test of NZXT’s Kraken Elite 420 RGB. Are we dealing with a successful product? Let’s take a closer look!
A beautiful, perfectly integrated screen!
Clearly, the strong point of this kit is its high-quality IPS LCD screen. It’s well integrated into the pump, with good brightness and a resolution that makes it perfectly usable. What’s more, via CAM, you can do more or less what you want with it, which is a real plus.
Beyond the screen, NZXT relies on a CoolIt base, and the finish is excellent. The radiator is clean, with no visible rivets. On the other hand, we find simplified cabling with fans sharing a single frame. Admittedly, we don’t find this ideal, since if one fan fails, the whole unit will have to be replaced. On the other hand, this limits the number of cables in the installation, with a single connector to be connected to a single wiring harness.
Unfortunately, the accessory part is reduced to the bare minimum, with screws and connectors. As the paste is pre-applied to the base, no additional syringe is supplied. As for screws and bolts, we’ve got twelve long fan screws, four of which will be used for the original fans, so there’s not even enough to install three more for push/pull configurations… Unless you buy an F420 RGB Core Fan block.
As for assembly, it’s business as usual, with a simplified assembly set and few parts to handle. In short, it’s up and running in minutes.
And the performance?
In terms of performance, NZXT has pleasantly surprised us with this kit, since it does very well from a temperature point of view in AM5, and is far superior to its 360 mm counterpart. On Intel sockets, it’s at low revs that it’ll hold its own, while at high speeds it’s unfortunately up against strong competition.
In any case, with its 420 mm heatsink, it’s best suited to processors with high power consumption. This is also reflected in the temperature/noise ratio, where it’s more at home with 170W consoles.
As for noise, the kit won’t be quiet at high speeds, that’s a fact… But we’ve clearly seen worse, even at mid-range. So on that score, we’d say that noise levels are well under control. And if you’re allergic to noise, you should know that it holds the load of our CPUs very well at low speeds.
Top-of-the-range kit, top-of-the-range invoice:
Unfortunately, you’ll have to digest a hefty bill of €345. This is clearly a lot of money for an all-in-one watercooling kit. If at this price you can easily assemble a custom loop for the CPU, some prefer not to bother with the maintenance and assembly of the loop, that’s a choice. However, unless you fall in love with the NZXT design, other references offer a better quality/price ratio.
NZXT Kraken Elite 420 RGB:
We like:
- The meticulous finish of this set
- The quality of the screen and its integration into the pump
- The screen’s functionalities
- Quick and easy assembly
- Software support via CAM
- Noise levels under control… We’ve seen worse
- Quiet pump, even at full power!
- Good performance on high consumption levels
We liked it less :
- The single-frame fans, which will have to be replaced if they fail.
- The sparse accessories section: not even a paste supplement on a €345 kit!
- The high-end bill too
In the end, we choose to award silver to this AIO from NZXT. It has its qualities, the main one being its screen, its software support and its finish, but the price is very high: €345. At this price, you can build custom loops, provided you’re willing to get your hands dirty. Otherwise, in terms of temperature and nuisance, it holds its own, but you’ll certainly find better quality/price ratios, notably at be quiet! who offer a solid kit in these dimensions… But there’s no screen.
Many thanks to NZXT!
