NZXT Kraken X40 Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. The NZXT Kraken X604. Installing the Corsair H905. NZXT Kraken Control Software6. Testing Methodology and Overclocking7. Thermal Performance8. Acoustic Performance9. Closing Thoughts10. View All Pages

The NZXT Kraken X40 is a decent cooler which gives the Corsair H90 a run for it's money.

This latest Asetek design is clearly very capable and benefits from an inbuilt fan controller and configurable LED lighting like the top-end coolers from Corsair.  While the implementation of the software control isn't quite as good as Corsair's, we expect it will improve with future generations.

The performance differences between the Kraken X40 and the H90 are clearly down to the different fan configurations of the two units.  They feature identical radiators, pumps and tubing, with the only major difference being the fans included.

The NZXT fan looks and feels much better quality than the Corsair model and can spin faster.  The unit didn't manage to sustain our overclock with the fan in ‘Silent' mode, though, which is disappointing for those looking to build a quiet, powerful system.

It's clear that the NZXT Kraken X40 has a major advantage over the H90 as it features an inbuilt fan controller and LED lighting system.  However, this increases the cost of the unit significantly.

The Kraken X40 can be yours for £85 from Specialtech, making it around £15 more expensive than the H90.  It's up to you to decide whether the NZXT Kraken X40 is worth the price premium, however we would be inclined to opt for the Corsair H90 as it offers a 5-year warranty, compared to the X40's 2-years.

Pros:

• Good performance.
• LED Lighting.
• Inbuilt fan controller.

Cons:

• 2 year warranty (compared to 5 years for Corsair units).
• Fairly noisy.
• Expensive.

KitGuru says: Another impressive cooler from NZXT.

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