nzxt kraken z63 with lcd display cpu cooler free sample
Just by using CAM"s elegant user friendly software interface, you can do more than simply customize settings; you can now display your favorite animated gifs or system information, allowing for total customization.
Now that you have multiple CPU cooler with screen designs to choose from, you can express yourself in a way that suits your taste through the Kraken’s new 2.36-inch LCD screen with 24 bit color.
CAM’s software is easy to use, allowing you to manage your computer’s performance and appearance. With simple controls, you can customize your NZXT Kraken Z63 with LCD with ease.
A chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearings are the best choices for high performance cooling. And without a doubt, radiator fans are an essential part of the liquid-cooling process.
The included Aer P chamfers and fluid dynamic bearings are the perfect choice for high performance NZXT water cooling: quiet, long-lasting, and powerful.
The fully programmable display makes it simple to place the pump where it needs to be, and rotate it without affecting the display orientation or image.
Fine nylon mesh sleeves strengthen the rubber tubing, providing durability and protection against mishandling. With the fully programmable display, the pump can be rotated to fit the needs of your motherboard without affecting the direction of the logo or image.
This All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler is ready for high performance CPU"s with the ability to fit in most cases. Show CPU/GPU temperatures or customize with GIFs with the Kraken Z LCD display.2.36” LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color
This All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler is ready for high performance CPUs with the ability to fit in most cases. Show CPU/GPU temperatures or customize with GIFs with the Kraken Z LCD display.2.36” LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color
Ever since it was founded back in 2004, NZXT has been focused on the always-lucrative PC gaming market. The company started out with just a few PC cases, yet their unique aesthetics and features were more than enough to let the company establish a solid foothold in the advanced PC market. Several years later, NZXT slowly began diversifying their product portfolio by adding cooling and power products to it. Today, the company produces a large variety of PC cases, cooling, and power products, as well as PC peripherals and accessories.
NZXT entered the PC cooling market nearly a decade ago by releasing all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooling solutions and accessories for them, including GPU mounting brackets. However unlike other manufacturers who have opted to build large, diverse product lineups, NZXT never kept more than a handful of AIO coolers available in their product line-up. Instead, the company has focused on delivering a few quality and aesthetically-unique designs, rather than trying to take the competition down on raw performance alone.
Today we are taking a look at NZXT’s latest liquid coolers, the Kraken X-3 and Z-3 series. These are more of a refresh rather a total upgrade over last year’s X-2 series, but NZXT has made some notable tweaks. Between the two families there are five different coolers in three sizes, covering the usual 240/280/360mm configurations. Both the X and Z series utilize the same cooling hardware, but NZXT has positioned the Z series as a premium option with a novel aesthetic feature – while the X series has RGB lighting on top of the pump base, the Z series tops its base with a full-fledged (and full color) LCD screen.
For this review we"re checking out both the X73 and the Z63, giving us a full view of the performance and features we can expect from most coolers that NZXT currently offers.
The new Kraken Z-3 and X-3 coolers ship in relatively simple packaging, based on the same white/purple artistic theme that NZXT has used over the last few years. A picture of the cooler covers the otherwise plain front of the packaging. Inside the box we found the coolers and their parts well protected by custom cardboard inserts.
All of the coolers share practically the same bundle, which is limited to the basics. Inside the box we only found the required mounting hardware, the necessary wiring, and an installation manual. We should also note that NZXT does not include the TR4 socket mounting plate by default, but they do have one available as an optional part for Threadripper owners.
The NZXT Z63 and X73 come with two 140 mm and three 120 mm fans respectively. The company went with high quality fans, with fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) engines and anti-vibration mounting pads. They are not overly powerful, though with their flat-bladed, high-pressure design they shouldn"t have much trouble overcoming the resistance of the radiator. There is no lighting about the fans, with the company focusing their artistic enhancement efforts on the pump block instead.
Digging into our review samples, let"s start with deciphering NZXT’s cooler names. The first character denotes the series, the second the size, and the third is the version. For example, the Z63 and the Z73 coolers belong to the same series and share most features but their radiator size differs, while the X73 and Z73 are of the same size but belong to different series. Thus the Z63 and the X73 that we will be reviewing today check both of these boxes, allowing us to explore the differences between the Z and X series and measure the thermal performance of both the 280 mm and the 360 mm coolers.
So what sets apart NZXT"s X and Z series coolers? In short, it"s all about displays. For the Z series, NZXT has topped off the the main block assembly with a 2.36” LCD screen. The LCD can be programmed to showcase everything from images and GIFs to real-time data. And despite the low 320×320 px resolution, it is crisp and bright, with beautiful color reproduction.
Otherwise for the X model, NZXT dials things back just a tad and uses a mirrored top with LEDs placed under it. Once powered, the company logo and a ring appear, with the mirror creating an infinity effect about the ring. The LEDs are RGB and users can adjust the colors of the ring using NZXT’s CAM software. On the whole it is a relatively simple and attractive visual setup.
Other than the display topping the main block, the X and Z series coolers are all but identical. The rest of the main block is the same between the two, going right down to the contact plate and mini pumps. So at the base of NZXT"s LCD and LED handiwork lies a circular copper plate, secured on the plastic body with eight stainless steel screws. A layer of thermal paste is pre-applied onto the contact plate. It is not machined down to a mirror finish but it is smooth and entirely flat. The contact plate is not large enough to cover Ryzen Threadripper processors and, although it should work okay, we generally advise against using coolers that are not specifically developed for the TR4 socket on Threadripper processors.
Moving on, let"s talk about NZXT"s radiators. Their different sizes aside, the radiators of both the Z63 and X73 seem to be identical in terms of design. The subtle but significant difference is that the 120 mm fan radiator of the X73/Z73 is 26 mm thick, while the 140 mm fan radiator of the Z63/X63 is 30 mm thick. It"s just a few millimeters, but it"s something that should absolutely be considered confirming the cooler’s compatibility with a given case, as sometimes a few millimeters makes all the difference. Both radiators are typical dual-pass cross-flow designs, with tiny fins soldered on thin oblong tubes. This is by far the most dominant radiator design for AIO systems and rightfully so, as it offers the best efficiency within limited proportions and for the temperature differences that AIO coolers have to deal with.
The hose fixings on the radiator side are immovable, making them a bit less flexible during installation. In order to cope with long-term evaporation losses, NZXT is using what they are calling “ultra-low evaporation” high-density rubber tubing, with external nylon sleeve braiding for additional mechanical protection. NZXT also took the time to punch the company logo on the sides of the radiators.
Brackets [ ], parenthesis ( ), less than/greater than < > and ellipsis ... are used to describe, respectively, optional, required, positional and repeating elements. Example commands are prefixed with a number sign #, which also serves to indicate that on Linux root permissions (or suitable udev rules) may be required.
Note: in addition to --debug, setting the PYUSB_DEBUG=debug and LIBUSB_DEBUG=4 environment variables can be helpful with problems suspected to relate to PyUSB or LibUSB.
In case more than one supported device is found, one them can be selected with --match
Fan and pump speeds can be set to fixed values or, if the device supports them, custom profiles. The specific documentation for each device will list the available modes, as well as which sensor is used for custom profiles. In general, liquid coolers only support custom profiles that are based on the internal liquid temperature probe.
Color arguments containing spaces, parenthesis or commas need to be quoted, as these characters can have special meaning on the command-line; the easiest way to do this on all supported platforms is with double quotes.
Make sure that liquidctl is available in the context where the batch file will run: in short, liquidctl --version should work within a normal Command Prompt window.
A slightly more complex example can be seen in issue #14 ("Can I autostart liquidctl on Windows?"), that uses the LEDs to convey progress or eventual errors. Chris" guide on Replacing NZXT’s CAM software on Windows for Kraken is also a good read.
This can be temporarily solved by manually rebinding the device to the kernel usbhid driver. Replace
Alternatively to running liquidctl as root (or with sudo), you can install the udev rules provided in extra/linux/71-liquidctl.rules to allow unprivileged access to the devices supported by liquidctl.
I really like NZXT’s all-in-one CPU coolers. Traditional fan-cooling is efficient and affordable, but an setup the NZXT Kraken can add style and space to your build. And I purchased an NZXT Kraken X62 for my own system because it is efficient, quiet, and slick. So I was excited to take a closer look at the company’s updated X3 and Z3 coolers to see if they live up to their predecessor.
The X73 is available now for $180, but you can get it with a smaller radiator as the X53 or X63 for $130 or $150, respectively. That’s the same price as the last-gen Krakens. But NZXT also has the Z3 coolers. The Z63 is $250 and the Z73 is $280. I tested the X73 and the Z63.
The X3 and Z3 coolers feature a new Asetek pump. The X3, has improved lighting and the option to rotate the logo on the CPU block. The Z3, however, gets an LCD screen with a ton of customization options.
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The Kraken X2 coolers, like the popular X62, used the Asetek Gen5 liquid pump. NZXT went back to Asetek for the X3 and Z3, but this time it’s using the Gen7. The company is promising quieter performance, but I found the X62 plenty quiet already. In real-world scenarios, I doubt that most people would notice the difference even if the Gen7 pump is better at keeping the noise down in a controlled test.
What’s important here is that the Asetek pumps are reliable and efficient, and that should only improve in this latest update. NZXT also includes a six-year warranty with the Kraken. And that confidence can provide you peace of mind.
The Kraken is also pretty easy to put into your rig. It comes with the brackets you need to hook it right onto an Intel motherboard. And if you need to swap in the parts for an AMD socket, the process is quick and painless.
The nylon mesh for the tubing also provides the flexibility you need to get the cooler into place. Then, on the X3, you don’t even have to worry about getting the logo upright because you can rotate that after installation.
Speaking of the logo, NZXT improved the look of the LED ring to make the Kraken X53, X63, and X73 more stylish than ever. Most of this comes from thicker RGB lighting that improves the infinity-mirror effect. This makes it look like the NZXT emblem is hovering over an endless portal.
The Z3’s standout feature is a 2.36-inch display that can present important information or, more important, GIFs. And look, you can tell me you don’t want an LCD screen inside your PC case, but I just won’t believe you.
Using NZXT’s CAM software, you can set the screen to display the current temperature of your CPU or GPU. This is a smart way to keep an eye on the health of your system without having to keep monitoring software open.
But you can also download and use any GIF you want, which is a lot of fun to play around with. And it’s another way to take ownership over the look of your rig.
While installing the Kraken coolers is mostly painless, I did have one problem. The power header on the CPU cooling unit doesn’t do a great job of guiding in its included cable. This led to me originally plugging it in the wrong way on the Z63. The connection felt like it snapped in securely, so it was difficult to tell the issue. But flipping it around and shoving it back in fixed the problem.
I’m at a point where I’m over complaining about every company having their own software. But it’s still worth pointing out that you may run into some headaches with NZXT’s CAM. The company has made some improvements to the software, but it’s still cumbersome and unintuitive for beginners. And you may encounter some bugs. Keep that in mind.
The NZXT X73 and Z63 that I’m using are fantastic. If you’re happy with the cooling in your PC now, or if you have something like the X62, you don’t need to upgrade. This isn’t some kind of next-gen leap.
But if you want an AIO so you have more room to tinker in your rig or because you think they look better, NZXT Kraken X3 and Z3 are still the best. And sure, the Z63 is $100 more than an X63. But if you think you need that LCD screen, you won’t regret getting it.
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The all-new Kraken Z Series lets you personalize your all-in-one liquid cooler like never before. Through CAM"s unique software interface, you can do more than simply fine-tune settings; you can now display your favorite animated gifs or CAM system information, allowing for total customization. Backed by a 6-year warranty, the Kraken Z series provides superior performance in liquid cooling, simple installation, and a look that is uniquely your own.
- With a bright, 2.36" LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color, you can now completely customize the look of your CPU cooler. Whether it"s a funny gif or CAM data, you can use your Kraken to express yourself in an exciting new way.
- CAM"s elegant, user-friendly software makes you the master of your PC. With simple-to-use, intuitive controls, you can manage your Kraken"s performance and appearance with ease.
- The included Aer P radiator fans are designed for liquid-cooling perfection. Featuring a chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearings, they deliver silent operation, long-term reliability, and powerful cooling performance.
- Fine nylon mesh sleeves strengthen the rubber tubing, providing durability and protection against mishandling. With the fully programmable display, the pump can be rotated to fit the needs of your motherboard without affecting the direction of the logo or image.
The Kraken Z is available in two versions, the Z63 and the Z73. The Z63 makes use of twin 140mm fans while the Z73 uses a trio of 120mm fans. The Kraken X range includes the X73 with a trio of 120mm fans, the X63 which has dual 140mm fans, and the X53 which is a duo of 120mm fans. The Kraken M is something of the black sheep (or should it be squid) of the family, with only a single 120mm fan. While the Kraken Z and X ranges are compatible with almost every type of CPU socket still in regular desktop use, the Kraken M is not compatible with Threadripper or Ryzen 7, 5 or 3 CPUs. There is after all only so much cooling you can do with a single 120mm fan on a matching radiator.
The Kraken Z63 RGB is an all-in-one liquid cooler that combines powerful cooling performance with ultimate personalization. The 2.36" LCD screen on the pump shows the content you choose via NZXT CAM software, such as image, animated gif and CAM system information. With dazzling RGB lighting, the Kraken Z63 RGB gives a fantastic look to any build.
There"s no shortage of all-in-one (AIO) CPU water coolers, but NZXT has always been among the top-rated in terms of design and performance. Instead of relying on simply air to cool down your CPU, an AIO utilizes a liquid to transfer heat from the processor to a radiator, which has fans attached to it to dissipate.
Compared to traditional air coolers, these are an excellent middle-ground between them and an all-out custom water-cooling loop. The new Kraken Z63 and Z73 take everything to the next level with a new LCD display, plenty of headroom with a 280mm or 360mm radiator, improved pump design, and support for the much-improved CAM software.
$280(opens in new tab)Bottom line: The latest Asetek pump matched with a new LCD display and large 360mm radiator make this one of the best AIO coolers around.
There"s very little to differentiate the Z63 and Z73 aside from the radiator size and amount of fans included. The rest of the specifications are identical.
NZXT is embracing the RGB craze in system building with the release of the new Z series all-in-one (AIO) CPU coolers. The Z73 is the larger version of the Z63, sporting a 360mm long radiator (compared to 280mm) with three NZXT 120mm static pressure fans instead of just two 140mm blades.
This extended surface area allows for more heat to be transferred from the radiator to the airflow within the PC case, and the extra fan adds to the volume of gas that can be pushed through. While the Z63 may be more than enough for even more demanding processors, the Kraken Z73 is for entering enthusiast territory.
Not only do you now have one of the better-looking AIO coolers on the market — and there are plenty of AIO coolers available on the market right now — but with the addition of an addressable LCD display for a unique touch to the overall PC aesthetics. It"s possible to display the temperature of the liquid, other stats, or even an image.
In order to get the most out of the Kraken Z63 and Z73, you need to have NZXT"s CAM software installed. This piece of kit has been lambasted in the past from the community for shipping to NZXT PC statistics and other data, being sluggish to use and downright unreliable.
The most recent version has improved dramatically, though we weren"t able to get CAM to play ball with either of our Kraken review samples. (The joys of using pre-release builds.) Still, with the software and AIO installed, you can control fan speeds, as well as what"s displayed the LCD display. Still, even though I wasn"t able to Rick Roll the AIO, performance could still be measured.
Actual performance varies with AIO coolers since these products allow for almost anyone to get into water-cooling, but they omit one vital component of any custom loop — the reservoir. One way to battle this, especially with smaller 120mm radiator units, is to bump the pump and fan speeds, which can have a negative effect on noise generation.
With the rather large 280mm and 360mm radiator setup for the Z63 nd Z73, NZXT has been able to largely distance itself from such problems. Our testing setup included the following hardware:CPU: Overclocked AMD Ryzen 9 3900X(opens in new tab)
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X(opens in new tab) is a powerful 12-core CPU with plenty of performance available, Running a stress test with this capable processor installed is quite the challenge for even the largest air cooler to keep within optimal operating temperature ranges. The GTX 1070(opens in new tab) is an older card, but the ZOTAC AMP! Extreme is essentially silent at idle, likewise with the Cosair VS550 PSU(opens in new tab).
Fan speeds were locked at 50% throughout the tests. With the Z73, the Ryzen 9 3900X runs at a mere 26C (79F) at idle, which is pretty good considering the ambient temperature was recorded at 22C (72F). This reading was measured both prior and after the stress test, allowing the system to run for approximately 30 minutes. Firing up a stress test for the 12-core CPU to chew through saw temperatures hit 50C (122F).There"s plenty of water-cooling with very little noise from the three fans.
The Z63 is a similar story. Idle with the Ryzen 9 3900X was reported at 27C (81F), which largely falls into the margin of error and, as such, can be considered equal to the Z73. The same tests performed showed the AO with a smaller radiator and less airflow struggle a little to keep 12-core CPU in line with its larger sibling. Temperatures hit 58C (136F), which still isn"t high by any means.
Some don"t enjoy using CAM and other software from manufacturers, especially when mixing different product lines, resulting in more than one software booting up and running in the background. While I wasn"t able to fully test the cool effects you can create with CAM on the AIO, the performance aspect is more important, and it easily nailed it.
While you could run the Z63 and Z73 without CAM, you shouldn"t. You"re not only paying a premium for the performance, design, and warranty, but also that sweet new LCD display, which requires the software to configure. CAM is also still Windows-only.
The NZXT Kraken Z73 is an ideal purchase for those with Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 7 processors or above. Should you have plans to kit out your PC with processors that rock ten or more cores, you"ll want to have the 360mm radiator at hand for adequate heat dissipation. What"s more, is this AIO isn"t just great at keeping the CPU cool, it also looks good.
The Z63 is a great choice for a similar processor range, though if you partner it up with power-hungry CPUs, be prepared to see a slight increase in temperature and noise from fan curves. NZXT nailed the design of the Kraken coolers, and this latest family of Z AIOs do nothing but improve the aesthetics of any PC build, thanks to the LCD display. Forget RGB lighting. Addressable displays are where it"s at in 2020.
The Z73 is overkill for lower-powered processors, but really if you"re all about low noise, a clean install, and reliable software support, this is a worthy upgrade to your aging air cooler. There"s very little to dislike, aside from the price, and CAM can still be a slight pain to use. Overall, the Kraken Z73 is among the best AIO coolers you can buy. The same goes for the Z63.
The NZXT Kraken Z73 is an expensive cooler. There are no two ways about that. But should you want a smart-looking AIO that can handle even overclocked 12-core processors, this is it.
The NZXT Kraken Z63 has everything the larger Z73 sibling has, but comes with a slightly smaller radiator and one less fan, but does slash the price considerably.
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Ms.Josey