The NZXT Kraken Z63 & X73 AIO Cooler Review: Shiny On Top, Solid Underneath
by E. Fylladitakis on August 19, 2020 11:00 AM ESTThe NZXT CAM Software
NZXT’s CAM is a free system monitoring program, with the added bonus that it can control and update the firmware of compatible NZXT devices. It identifies the system’s components and sub-components and also offers comprehensive resource usage information, both total and per-process.
As one would probably expect, most of the software's control options become available only if supported NZXT hardware is detected. Meanwhile the monitoring features are compatible with the vast majority of hardware that is being sold in the market today. The displayed panels, as well as options such as the display language and the enablement of a dark mode, can be adjusted in the general settings screen.
When an X-3 or Z-3 AIO cooler is detected, the NZXT CAM software offers monitoring and control via the “Cooling” tab. From there, users can monitor the temperatures of the CPU, GPU, and cooling fluid, as well as the pump's RPM. It is also possible to program and save different cooling profiles, for different occasions. Every option in this tab is identical for either cooler series.
Under the Lighting tab, the options differ depending on which cooler has been detected. If an X-3 series cooler is detected, users can only adjust the lighting effects and brightness of the RGB LED ring. Aside from basic static colors, the software allows for the choice of dynamic visual effects or the programming of different colors per 45°.
When the software detects a Z-3 series cooler, the Lighting tab becomes significantly more complex. With an LCD screen present, users can select a variety of visual effects and/or infographics. These include static or animated GIFs that meet some basic size and length constraints. It can also display real-time info, such as temperatures and load, and change its color depending on preset conditions.
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whatthe123 - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
arctic and EK have released non-asetek coolers recently and both of them outperform practically every asetek cooler on the market, especially in price. I don't think asetek rebrands are the only choice anymore as long as you can get your hands on a freezer 2 or ek drgb.edzieba - Thursday, August 20, 2020 - link
In the US, Asetek swings their legal muscle around to quash competition. Elsewhere in the world, there are plenty of other AIO designs available.jaggedcow - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
Minor point but I found it odd how they were dinged for not including threadripper mounting then in the next paragraph the reviewer says it’s not designed for threadripper‘s die size and that they wouldn’t recommend using it with a threadripper CPU. So why are we dinging NZXT for not including mounting hardware for a CPU that this cooler isn’t designed for and a configuration that the reviewer themselves doesn’t recommend? If anything, including a TR4 mount would imply that it WAS designed to also cool that chip.Ryan Smith - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
"So why are we dinging NZXT"To be sure, NZXT is not being dinged. We're just noting that while NZXT advertises these coolers as being able to work with Threadripper, they don't do so out of the box. (And even if they did have the part in the box, we wouldn't suggest it)
Machinus - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
Ian, can you ebalorate on how usable the X73 is without having to use the CAM software? Can the fan and pump be controlled with typical BIOS headers?satai - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
Is it better then high end air coolers?inighthawki - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
The 360mm and 280mm radiator coolers tend to be give or take with high end air coolers, and generally cost more. The 240mm radiators are almost always worse, more expensive, and louder.The largest advantage of these is often not the improved temps, but how they mount in the case. The higher end air coolers tend to be extremely bulky and can have some difficulties fitting in smaller or more compact cases, or can have compatibility issues with ram depending on the ram height and motherboard layout.
Luminar - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
Repeat after me: all water cooling solutions eventually leak.Lord of the Bored - Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - link
[citation needed]Spunjji - Thursday, August 20, 2020 - link
On a long enough timescale? Sure.Within the lifetime of one or even two system builds? No, not in my experience.
Can't comment for longer durations than that, as the oldest kit I've personally seen in service is about 7 years old now.