NZXT Kraken Z53 review: Expensive, but one of the best 240mm AIO coolers around

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That brandish though

NZXT Kraken Z53 review: Expensive, only 1 of the best 240mm AIO coolers around

Display GPU and CPU usage on your AIO cooler, because why not?

Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

There really isn't a shortage of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers on the marketplace. You tin can buy budget-friendly solutions that contain nothing just the barebones to go the job washed, or you tin can spend plenty and bask RGB lighting effects and fifty-fifty LCD displays. NZXT makes endless AIO liquid coolers and the Kraken Z serial is the company'south premium range, rocking Aer fans and an LCD display.

I've previously tested the Kraken Z63 and Z73, finding both to be just bright at not but keeping your CPU absurd, but also acting as a gateway to colorful lighting and other cool effects. NZXT has refreshed the entire Z series, only today we'll be looking at the new Z53, which is the smaller sibling to the two AIOs, coming in with a 240mm radiator, making this perfectly suited to meaty PC builds.

This review will walk you through the features, design, and performance of the NZXT Kraken Z53, showing whether it'southward worth your coin.

Powerful AIO

NZXT Kraken Z53

Bottom line: NZXT refreshed its premium series of Kraken Z AIO liquid coolers and has expanded the family unit with the addition of the infant Z53. It may exist a more meaty AIO, but this cooler has plenty going for it, including the same first-class performance and LCD display.

Pros

Impressive 7th Gen Asetek pump
LCD brandish on the CPU block
Excellent performance with 240mm radiator
NZXT fans included
CAM software is finally worth using

NZXT Kraken Z53 tech specs

Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

NZXT refreshed the Kraken Z63 and Z73 AIO coolers, but the Z53 is the smallest of the range, rocking a 240mm radiator. This new size is ideal for compact cases with narrow radiator support, which the Z63 and Z73 won't exist compatible with. It's similar to the ii other refreshed Z coolers, sporting a new 7th gen Asetek pump, LCD display, and Aer fans.

Category	NZXT Kraken Z53	NZXT Kraken Z63	NZXT Kraken Z73
Blazon	AIO	AIO	AIO
Pump	Asetek Pump (Gen 7) 800 - 2800 RPM	Asetek Pump (Gen 7) 800 - 2800 RPM	Asetek Pump (Gen 7) 800 - 2800 RPM
Radiator	240 mm Aluminum	280 mm Aluminum	360 mm Aluminum
CPU block	LCD display Plastic, Copper	LCD display Plastic, Copper	LCD display Plastic, Copper
Fans	2x P120	2x P140	3x P120
Fan command	✓	✓	✓
Toll	$230	$250	$280

Picking the right Kraken libation really comes down to what size you crave the radiator to be. Even the Z53 volition be more than happy at cooling downwardly an Intel Cadre i9 or AMD Ryzen nine processor, though y'all will probable need a larger AIO if you were to overclock or practice intense workloads.

NZXT Kraken Z53 what I like

Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

The NZXT Kraken Z53 is uniquely positioned. Information technology'due south the almost affordable Z-class AIO cooler, and the smallest in the range, simply information technology's also pretty skillful at what it does. You could view this AIO every bit an X53 but with a fancier LCD brandish on the CPU block, and that would exist about right. Back up for both Intel and AMD platforms is present, so too are two P120 fans from NZXT.

The NZXT Kraken Z53 not only looks fancy merely it also functions flawlessly equally an AIO cooler.

The LCD display is clearly the star of the evidence, allowing you to control information technology through CAM to show a whole host of data. Yous tin view CPU and GPU temperatures on the brandish, configure lite effects, or display other content. Previously, the displays and CAM software equally a whole were a picayune buggy, some motherboards even required a USB hub in social club for the display top be recognized by CAM.

This has all been resolved with the new generation of Kraken Z series AIO coolers, including the Z53. Even motherboards we tested to non exist fully compatible with the older Z63 and Z73 work out-the-box with the new platform. If you're familiar with an NZXT AIO, you'll already know and love the aesthetics of the consummate package, albeit with slightly banal, non-RGB fans, of form.

The CPU block comprises the pump, brandish, and central hub that brings together the fans and other connections to route them through an internal USB header on the motherboard. It does mean you will accept a few more wires to try and hide, just it is sometimes possible to hide them behind the motherboard tray, depending on your example and setup.

The block itself is copper and plastic, while the radiator is made from copper. Inside the CPU cake is Asetek's latest 7th gen pump, which likely won't mean much, but this allows for more efficient cooling without all the noise. And it performs seriously well too, which is good news for the Z53 since it'due south a CPU cooler at the cease of the day. It needs to absurd your CPU else information technology's useless.

Because of its limiting radiator size (240mm is considered small for loftier-terminate or enthusiast PC builds), you'd assume the AIO liquid cooler is non upward to the task of cooling an AMD Ryzen nine 3900X, just y'all'd exist mistaken. Sure, it won't break records, let you lot to overclock, and savor low temperatures, only it performs admirably.

Category	NZXT Kraken Z53 RGB	NZXT Kraken Z63	NZXT Kraken Z73
Idle	33C	27C	26C
Gaming	61C	58C	56C
Stress examination	71C	67C	65C

As expected, testing showed the Ryzen 9 3900X to run a little warmer than when using the Z63 and Z73. The smaller radiator simply ways we have less contact area for the surrounding air to extract heat. The Ryzen ix 3900X was gear up to default settings, pump to 100%, and fans at 50%. The idle temperature of 33C (91F) is impressive, matching that of the X53. For gaming, nosotros found the CPU to hover effectually 61C (142F). Lastly, for stress testing, the Ryzen 9 3900X settled in at around 71C (160F).

The X53 tin can technically handle the Ryzen 9 3900X, but I'd recommend getting the Z63 or Z73 over this cooler if you plan on using such a CPU. Impressive results nonetheless, but this should be the example with the cooler coming in at more $200.

NZXT Kraken Z53 what I don't like

Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

There actually isn't annihilation to dislike about the Kraken Z53. It does the task it's supposed to without issue. You could fifty-fifty pair information technology up with an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and call it a day, enjoying some impressive temperatures, even when under load or in games. This AIO isn't affordable though, coming in at more than $200. It'south $seventy more than than the Kraken X53.

That tin be tough to swallow when it can easily take up more than half a PC build budget. Then there's the example of the fans. They're not RGB-enabled, so yous volition need to find another means to light upwardly your case. I recollect adding RGB fans to the Z series would exist a good option without increasing the price by much. You could always plough it off.

Should you buy the NZXT Kraken Z53?

Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

Who it'due south for

If you want to overclock your CPU
If you want your CPU to run cooler
If yous desire to add style to your PC

Who it isn't for

Anyone with a meaty case without 240mm rad support
If you already struggle with airflow inside the PC case
If yous don't wish to utilise NZXT CAM software

The previous generation of Kraken Z series AIO liquid coolers was incredible and we regard them equally among the best AIO liquid coolers you can purchase. This latest refresh makes them even amend, rocking Asetek's 7th gen pumps and other notable improvements. The Z53 is a new addition to the family unit and it'south ideal for smaller systems that don't have plenty of space.

Even with the smaller 240mm radiator and just two NZXT P120 fans, it's more than capable of handling even the more powerful processors that can kick out a lot of heat. This AIO isn't quite as obnoxious as the X RGB series that come with Aer RGB fans or other competing AIO coolers, only it oozes style with that fancy LCD display that can be customized through CAM.

Powerful AIO

NZXT Kraken Z53

Impressive premium cooling

NZXT made the Z63 a little smaller and came up with the Z53, a 240mm radiator-touting AIO cooler with plenty of functioning under the hood. Rocking the latest Asetek gen vii pump, information technology'southward capable of taming even the more than ferocious CPU beasts.

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Rich Edmonds

Rich Edmonds is a word conjurer at Windows Cardinal, covering everything related to Windows, gaming, and hardware. He'southward been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or ii near the magic inside a device chassis. You can follow him over on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.