With the Kraken X41, NZXT has an all-in-one watercooler in its portfolio, that comes with the a rather slim radiator and one 140 millimeter fan in the delivery. At a first look the design is looking good while you get a black radiator and a fan with white rotor. Overall we're now rather curious to find out what this cooler can do in terms of cooling and noise levels.
Today we have the pleasure to check out NZXT's Kraken X41 compact liquid
cooling system, which, according to NZXT, should be compatible even with
small cases and tighter spaces thanks to its 30mm thick radiator. This particular 140mm radiator is slightly thicker than
other 140mm models, since they usually measure 27mm. This should make for
slightly increased performance. Apart from that there are kink-resistant tubes,
which allow for routing even in very small cases. Overall this cooler is
well made and with its black and white color scheme it's easy to integrate into
the design scheme of lots of builds. The bundle includes one 140mm PWM fan with
white wings and black frame. The mounting system supports most, if not all, recent Intel and AMD socket CPUs.
If you wonder which company is actually the OEM behind this cooler, then we can
tell you that this is a typical closed-loop cooler from Asetek.
As you can see from the picture manufacturing quality of the Kraken X41 is
on the level it should be. It's not exceptional but still on decent level. The radiator itself has been made from aluminium and
there are the usual flat pipes, which increase surface area. The cooling block
features a copper base-plate
with pre-applied thermal compound. To be a bit more precise the dimensions of the
Kraken X41 are
140 x 172.5 x 36 mm. According to the specifications
NZXT equipped the Kraken X41 with one high RPM fan, that should rotate with up
to 3600 RPM. In the case of the sample we received we measured a maximum fan
speed of almost 2000 RPM, which is quite a bit less. But honestly, we're not
unhappy to find a slower rotating fan in the delivery, since otherwise this
cooler would be very noisy.
Specifications |
Model |
Kraken X41 |
Type |
AIO WaterCooler |
Dimensions |
140 x 172.5 x 36 mm
(Lx B x W) |
Weight |
n/a |
Provided Fan(s) |
1 x 140x25mm PWM
(2400-3600 ± 150 RPM) |
Supported Fan(s) |
2 x 140mm |
Base Material |
Copper |
Radiator
Material |
Aluminium |
Tube |
Rubber Tubing |
Socket Support |
Intel LGA 1150, 1155, 1156, LGA 1366,
2011
AMD AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1,
FM2, FM2+
|
Thermal compound |
Pre-applied |
Warranty |
6 Years |
Product Page |
Kraken X41 |
The packaging is quite standard for an all-in-one water cooling system.
Alongside the AIO unit you receive one fan, a manual and mounting kits. NZXT bundles
the Kraken X41 with two mounting kits, one for AMD and one for Intel-based
systems, as well as a backplate is used for Intel
sockets. NZXT Kraken X41 is not compatible only with the old Intel
socket LGA775. If anything should break down with the Kraken X41 AIO water cooler
you get a warranty that covers such event for a whopping six
years.
[pagebreak]
Photo Gallery
[pagebreak]
Installation
The installation procedure is quite easy and practical. It is pretty much
self explanatory and everything is clearly explained in the manual,
so it should not be a problem even for less experienced users.
The design is not completely tool less as you will still need a screwdriver in
order to mount the fans and the waterblock. The
pressure on the CPU is good and since the base/pump unit comes with a low profile design,
there shouldn't be any clearance issues as even tubing can be moved in any
direction without the need to worry out blockage or
leaking.
Test Setup |
Cooler |
- Alpenföhn Matterhorn Pure
- Antec Kühler H2O 950
- Antec Kühler H2O 1250
- Be quiet Pure Rock
- Cooler Master Hyper 103
- Cooler Master Hyper 612 Ver.2
- Cooler Master Nepton 140XL
- Cooler Master Nepton 240M
- Corsair H75
- Corsair H90
- Corsair H110
- Cryorig R1 universal
- Deepcool Captain 360
- Deepcool Maelstrom 120
- Deepcool Maelstrom 240
- EK Predator 240
- Enermax ETS-N30
- Enermax ETS-T40 Black Twister
- Enermax ETS-T40 White Cluster
- Enermax Liqtech 120X
- Enermax Liqtech 240X
- Fractal Design Kelvin T12
- Fractal Design Kelvin S24
- Fractal Design Kelvin S36
- Intel Stock Cooler
- Lepa LV12
- Noctua NH-C14S
- Noctua NH-D15
- Noctua NH-D15S
- Noctua NH-U12S
- NZXT Kraken X31
- NZXT Kraken X41
- NZXT Kraken X61
- Prolimatech Lynx
- Raijintek Nemesis
- Raijintek Pallas
- Raijintek Themis EVO
- Raijintek Triton
- Scythe Ashura
- Scythe IORI Scior-1000
- SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite
- Thermalright Archon IB-E X2
- Thermalright Macho Rev.B
- Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E
- Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX
- Thermolab Bada 2010
- Thermolab LP53
- Thermolab ITX30
|
Mainboard |
ASUS Z87-Deluxe (BIOS 1602) |
CPU |
Intel Core i7-4770K Stock (Turbo On / HT On) |
Memory |
ADATA XPG V2 2x4GB DDR3-2800 CL12 1.65V |
Video |
Intel HD Graphics 4600 |
Software |
Windows 7 x64
wPrime Benchmark v2.10
CPUID HWMonitor 1.24.0 |
PSU |
Seasonic Platinum SS-660XP2 |
Fan Controller |
Lamptron FC5 V3 |
Thermal Compound |
Pre-applied |
[pagebreak]
Absolute Performance
Temperatures
7V |
Idle |
Load |
EK Predator 240 |
32 °C |
49 °C |
Deepcool Captain 360 |
31 °C |
50 °C |
Fractal Design Kelvin S36 |
31 °C |
50 °C |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
32 °C |
50 °C |
Raijintek Triton |
32 °C |
50 °C |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
31 °C |
51 °C |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
32 °C |
51 °C |
Enermax Liqtech 240X |
32 °C |
51 °C |
Noctua NH-D15S |
32 °C |
51 °C |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
33 °C |
51 °C |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
33 °C |
51 °C |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
33 °C |
51 °C |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
33 °C |
51 °C |
Noctua NH-C14S |
32 °C |
52 °C |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
32 °C |
52 °C |
SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite |
32 °C |
52 °C |
Cooler Master Nepton 240M |
33 °C |
53 °C |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
33 °C |
53 °C |
Fractal Design Kelvin S24 |
32 °C |
53 °C |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
33 °C |
53 °C |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
34 °C |
53 °C |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
34 °C |
53 °C |
Raijintek Nemesis Dual Fan |
34 °C |
54 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Dual Fan |
35 °C |
55 °C |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
35 °C |
55 °C |
Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX |
36 °C |
55 °C |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
34 °C |
56 °C |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
34 °C |
56 °C |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Claster |
35 °C |
56 °C |
Raijintek Nemesis Single Fan |
35 °C |
56 °C |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
35 °C |
56 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Single Fan |
36 °C |
56 °C |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
37 °C |
56 °C |
Fractal Design Kelvin T12 |
36 °C |
57 °C |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
34 °C |
57 °C |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
36 °C |
57 °C |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
34 °C |
57 °C |
be quiet Pure Rock |
36 °C |
58 °C |
Scythe Ashura |
36 °C |
58 °C |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
37 °C |
59 °C |
Raijintek Pallas |
37 °C |
59 °C |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
36 °C |
60 °C |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
36 °C |
61 °C |
Prolimatech Lynx |
35 °C |
63 °C |
Cooler Master
Hyper 612 Ver. 2 |
37 °C |
64 °C |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
39 °C |
64 °C |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
39 °C |
65 °C |
Lepa LV12 |
36 °C |
66 °C |
Thermolab LP-53 |
38 °C |
69 °C |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
37 °C |
73 °C |
Thermolab ITX30 |
38 °C |
75 °C |
Intel Stock |
39 °C |
83 °C |
To measure
the cooling capacity we took temperatures in idle and load
with the fans at 7 and 12 V. The idle temperature represents the lowest
temperature hit by the processor package after 10 minutes in idle. The load temperature is
the highest temperature hit by the processor after one pass of wPrime v2.10. The
wPrime test takes 4 minutes and puts load on all 8 threads.
Room temperature is
at 25°C.
12V |
Idle |
Load |
Deepcool Captain
360 |
30 °C |
48 °C |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S36 |
30 °C |
49 °C |
EK Predator 240 |
31 °C |
49 °C |
Raijintek Triton |
31 °C |
49 °C |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
32 °C |
50 °C |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
32 °C |
50 °C |
Noctua NH-D15S |
31 °C |
50 °C |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
32 °C |
50 °C |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
33 °C |
50 °C |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
31 °C |
50 °C |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S24 |
31 °C |
51 °C |
Noctua NH-C14S |
31 °C |
51 °C |
SilverStone Tundra TD-02 Lite |
31 °C |
51 °C |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
32 °C |
51 °C |
Enermax Liqtech
240X |
32 °C |
51 °C |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
33 °C |
51 °C |
Cooler Master Nepton 240M |
32 °C |
52 °C |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
32 °C |
52 °C |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
32 °C |
52 °C |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
33 °C |
52 °C |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
31 °C |
53 °C |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
33 °C |
53 °C |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
33 °C |
53 °C |
Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX |
34 °C |
53 °C |
Fractal Design Kelvin T12 |
34 °C |
54 °C |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
33 °C |
54 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Dual Fan |
33 °C |
54 °C |
Raijintek Nemesis Dual Fan |
33 °C |
54 °C |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
33 °C |
54 °C |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Claster |
34 °C |
54 °C |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
33 °C |
55 °C |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
34 °C |
55 °C |
Prolimatech Lynx |
34 °C |
55 °C |
Raijintek Nemesis Single Fan |
34 °C |
55 °C |
Scythe Ashura |
34 °C |
55 °C |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
35 °C |
55 °C |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
35 °C |
55 °C |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
34 °C |
55 °C |
be quiet Pure Rock |
35 °C |
56 °C |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
36 °C |
56 °C |
Raijintek Pallas |
36 °C |
56 °C |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
34 °C |
57 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Single Fan |
34 °C |
57 °C |
Lepa LV12 |
35 °C |
57 °C |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
36 °C |
58 °C |
Cooler Master
Hyper 612 Ver. 2 |
35 °C |
59 °C |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
37 °C |
60 °C |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
39 °C |
64 °C |
Thermolab LP-53 |
37 °C |
65 °C |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
34 °C |
68 °C |
Thermolab ITX30 |
36 °C |
69 °C |
Intel Stock |
35 °C |
70 °C |
Fan Speeds
|
7 Volt |
12 Volt |
Raijintek Nemesis
Single Fan |
840 rpm |
1'180 rpm |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
840 rpm |
1'320 rpm |
Enermax Liqtech
240X |
750 rpm |
1'300 rpm |
Raijintek Nemesis
Dual Fan |
780 rpm |
1'200 rpm |
Cooler Master
Hyper 612 Ver. 2 |
520 rpm |
1'260 rpm |
Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX |
840 rpm |
1'320 rpm |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
780 rpm |
1'380 rpm |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
960 rpm |
1'440 rpm |
Raijintek Pallas |
960 rpm |
1'440 rpm |
Scythe Ashura |
600 rpm |
1'440 rpm |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
900 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
780 rpm |
1'320 rpm |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
900 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
960 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
960 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Noctua NH-C14S |
960 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Noctua NH-D15S |
960 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
960 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
660 rpm |
1'530 rpm |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S24 |
1'270 rpm |
1'540 rpm |
be quiet Pure Rock |
1'000 rpm |
1'560 rpm |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
960 rpm |
1'560 rpm |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
1'020 rpm |
1'560 rpm |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S36 |
1'400 rpm |
1'740 rpm |
Prolimatech Lynx |
600 rpm |
1'740 rpm |
Fractal Design
Kelvin T12 |
420 rpm |
1'800 rpm |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
1'020 rpm |
1'860 rpm |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Cluster |
1'260 rpm |
1'860 rpm |
Lepa LV12 |
1'100 rpm |
1'850 rpm |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
1'180rpm |
1'840 rpm |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
1'140 rpm |
1'980 rpm |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
1'200 rpm |
1'980 rpm |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
1'200 rpm |
1'980 rpm |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
1'180 rpm |
1'980 rpm |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Dual Fan |
1'500 rpm |
1'980 rpm |
Intel Stock |
1'260 rpm |
2'040 rpm |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
1'270 rpm |
2'050 rpm |
EK Predator 240 |
1'020 rpm |
2'160 rpm |
Thermolab LP-53 |
300 rpm |
2'180 rpm |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
280 rpm |
2'220 rpm |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
1'440 rpm |
2'220 rpm |
Deepcool Captain
360 |
1'400 rpm |
2'240 rpm |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
1'500 rpm |
2'280 rpm |
Cooler Master
Nepton 240M |
1'140 rpm |
2'300 rpm |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Single Fan |
1'560 rpm |
2'400 rpm |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
1'580 rpm |
2'400 rpm |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
1'620 rpm |
2'400 rpm |
SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite |
1'440 rpm |
2'460 rpm |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
1'620 rpm |
2'480 rpm |
Thermolab ITX30 |
1'620 rpm |
2'580 rpm |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
1'080 rpm |
3'080 rpm |
Raijintek Triton |
1'140 rpm |
3'450 rpm |
Fan speeds (RPM) at 7 and 12 V.
Noise Levels
|
7 Volt |
12 Volt |
Cooler Master
Hyper 612 Ver. 2 |
33.4 dBA |
34.9 dBA |
be quiet Pure Rock |
33.3 dBA |
37.0 dBA |
Enermax Liqtech
240X |
33.5 dBA |
37.0 dBA |
Intel Stock |
33.3 dBA |
37.1 dBA |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
32.2 dBA |
37.4 dBA |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
32.3 dBA |
37.4 dBA |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
32.3 dBA |
38.4 dBA |
Lepa LV12 |
34.6
dBA |
38.8 dBA |
Thermolab ITX30 |
33.4 dBA |
38.9 dBA |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
33.7 dBA |
38.9 dBA |
Raijintek Pallas |
34.7 dBA |
39.3 dBA |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
34.2 dBA |
39.5 dBA |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
33.4 dBA |
39.6 dBA |
Thermolab LP-53 |
31.2 dBA |
39.7 dBA |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
33.9 dBA |
40.1 dBA |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
32.8 dBA |
40.3 dBA |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
32.5 dBA |
40.4 dBA |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
32.3 dBA |
40.4 dBA |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
35.5
dBA |
40.5 dBA |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
35.7 dBA |
40.6 dBA |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
32.4 dBA |
40.6 dBA |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
33.4 dBA |
40.6 dBA |
Prolimatech Lynx |
33.0 dBA |
40.3 dBA |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
33.1 dBA |
40.7 dBA |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Claster |
33.3 dBA |
40.7 dBA |
Scythe Ashura |
32.0 dBA |
41.0 dBA |
Noctua NH-C14S |
32.0 dBA |
41.1 dBA |
Noctua NH-D15S |
32.0 dBA |
41.1 dBA |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
34.1 dBA |
41.2 dBA |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
34.7 dBA |
41.2 dBA |
Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX |
34.7 dBA |
41.2 dBA |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
33.3 dBA |
41.7 dBA |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
34.5 dBA |
41.7 dBA |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
34.2
dBA |
43.0 dBA |
Raijintek Nemesis
Single Fan |
35.8 dBA |
43.1 dBA |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
36.7 dBA |
43.2 dBA |
Deepcool Captain
360 |
36.6 dBA |
43.4 dBA |
Raijintek Nemesis
Dual Fan |
36.1 dBA |
43.6 dBA |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL |
34.3dBA |
43.8 dBA |
Cooler Master
Nepton 240M |
34.9
dBA |
44.5 dBA |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S24 |
37.0 dBA |
46.3 dBA |
Fractal Design Kelvin T12 |
25.4 dBA |
46.5 dBA |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
38.2 dBA |
46.9 dBA |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S36 |
37.8 dBA |
48.7 dBA |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
37.5
dBA |
48.8 dBA |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
39.7 dBA |
49.3 dBA |
EK Predator 240 |
33.6 dBA |
49.6 dBA |
Raijintek Triton |
37.0 dBA |
49.7 dBA |
SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite |
41.9 dBA |
53.3 dBA |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
46.3 dBA |
58.2 dBA |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
47.9 dBA |
65.2 dBA |
Decibel meter (Voltcraft SL-200) has been placed 1 meter away from the
cooler. Measurements are conducted in a quiet room, where there are no other noise source. 32 dBA is the lowest
we can get in our room. Also here
the measurements are conducted at 7 and 12 V.
[pagebreak]
PWM Performance
Temperatures
|
Idle |
Load |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
33 °C |
50 °C |
EK Predator 240 |
34 °C |
50 °C |
SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite |
32 °C |
51 °C |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
33 °C |
51 °C |
Noctua NH-C14S |
32 °C |
52 °C |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
32 °C |
52 °C |
Noctua NH-D15S |
33 °C |
52° C |
Fractal Design Kelvin S36 |
33 °C |
52 °C |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
33 °C |
52 °C |
Deepcool Captain
360 |
34 °C |
52 °C |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
33 °C |
54 °C |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S24 |
34 °C |
54 °C |
Raijintek Nemesis
Dual Fan |
33 °C |
54 °C |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
34 °C |
54 °C |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
34°C |
54 °C |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
34 °C |
54 °C |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
35 °C |
54 °C |
Enermax Liqtech 240X |
36 °C |
54 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 240M |
34 °C |
55 °C |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
33 °C |
55 °C |
Raijintek Nemesis
Single Fan |
34 °C |
55 °C |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
35 °C |
55 °C |
Raijintek Triton |
33 °C |
55 °C |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
36 °C |
55 °C |
Fractal Design Kelvin T12 |
35 °C |
56 °C |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
35 °C |
56 °C |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
35 °C |
56 °C |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
36 °C |
56 °C |
Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX |
36 °C |
56 °C |
Prolimatech Lynx |
34 °C |
57 °C |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Claster |
35 °C |
57 °C |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
35 °C |
57 °C |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
36 °C |
57 °C |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
36 °C |
57 °C |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
36 °C |
57 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Dual Fan |
37 °C |
57 °C |
be quiet Pure Rock |
38 °C |
58 °C |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
35 °C |
58 °C |
Scythe Ashura |
36 °C |
58 °C |
Raijintek Pallas |
37 °C |
58 °C |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Single Fan |
38 °C |
58 °C |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
35 °C |
59 °C |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
37 °C |
59 °C |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
36 °C |
60 °C |
Cooler Master Hyper
612 Ver. 2 |
36 °C |
62 °C |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
39 °C |
64 °C |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
42 °C |
66 °C |
Thermolab LP-53 |
39 °C |
67 °C |
Lepa LV12 |
37 °C |
70 °C |
Thermolab ITX30 |
39 °C |
70 °C |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
38 °C |
71 °C |
Intel Stock |
39 °C |
75 °C |
At this point we plugged the fan(s) to the motherboard CPU fan header and let the
motherboard take care of fan speeds. In other words the motherboard will
adjust the fan speed via PWM signal according to CPU temperature. The idle
temperature is the lowest temperature hit by the processor after 10
minutes
in idle. The load temperature is the highest temperature hit by the
processor after one pass of wPrime v2.10. The
wPrime test takes 4 minutes puts load on all 8 threads.
Room temperature is 25°C.
Fan Speeds
|
Idle |
Load |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
306 rpm |
680 rpm |
Scythe Ashura |
436 rpm |
550 rpm |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
380 rpm |
687 rpm |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
450 rpm |
740 rpm |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
471 rpm |
770 rpm |
EK Predator 240 |
600 rpm |
800 rpm |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
580 rpm |
805 rpm |
Cooler Master
Hyper 612 Ver. 2 |
413 rpm |
825 rpm |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
750 rpm |
830 rpm |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
637 rpm |
854 rpm |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
466 rpm |
860 rpm |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
424 rpm |
880 rpm |
Noctua NH-D15S |
840 rpm |
900 rpm |
be quiet Pure Rock |
380 rpm |
920 rpm |
Enermax Liqtech 240X
(600 - 1300 rpm Preset) |
790 rpm |
950 rpm |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
560 rpm |
955 rpm |
Raijintek Triton |
955 rpm |
955 rpm |
Noctua NH-C14S |
860 rpm |
960 rpm |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
800 rpm |
969 rpm |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
580 rpm |
970 rpm |
Thermalright Silver Arrow ITX |
490 rpm |
990 rpm |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
800 rpm |
980 rpm |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
870 rpm |
1'000 rpm |
Prolimatech Lynx |
765 rpm |
1'077 rpm |
Deepcool Captain
360 |
710 rpm |
1'090 rpm |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
950 rpm |
1'100 rpm |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
820 rpm |
1'110 rpm |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
990 rpm |
1'115 rpm |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Dual Fan |
740 rpm |
1'140 rpm |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
760 rpm |
1'150 rpm |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Claster |
920 rpm |
1'170 rpm |
Raijintek Pallas |
952 rpm |
1'170 rpm |
Raijintek Nemesis
Dual Fan |
1'120 rpm |
1'190 rpm |
Fractal Design Kelvin T12 |
715 rpm |
1'200 rpm |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S24 |
780 rpm |
1'200 rpm |
Fractal Design Kelvin S36 |
800 rpm |
1'210 rpm |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
840 rpm |
1'270 rpm |
Raijintek Nemesis
Single Fan |
1'120 rpm |
1'270 rpm |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL Single Fan |
800 rpm |
1'280 rpm |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
1'190 rpm |
1'320 rpm |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
790 rpm |
1'360 rpm |
Lepa LV12 |
870 rpm |
1'400 rpm |
Cooler Master
Nepton 240M |
700 rpm |
1'430 rpm |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
950 rpm |
1'465 rpm |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
1'250 rpm |
1'500 rpm |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
1'280 rpm |
1'610 rpm |
Intel Stock |
1'230 rpm |
1'630 rpm |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
1'390 rpm |
1'690 rpm |
Thermolab LP-53 |
1'475 rpm |
1'672 rpm |
SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite |
1'650 rpm |
1'950 rpm |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
970 rpm |
2'250 rpm |
Thermolab ITX30 |
1'475 rpm |
2'253 rpm |
Values are in RPM, we took the lowest speed hit by the fan(s) in idle and the
highest under load.
Noise Levels
|
Idle |
Load |
Noctua NH-C14S |
32.0 dBA |
32.0 dBA |
Noctua NH-D15S |
32.0 dBA |
32.0 dBA |
Noctua NH-U12S
Single Fan |
32.0 dBA |
32.0 dBA |
Thermalright Macho
Rev.B |
32.0 dBA |
32.1 dBA |
Noctua NH-D15 Dual Fan |
32.1 dBA |
32.3 dBA |
Noctua NH-U12S
Dual Fan |
32.0 dBA |
32.4 dBA |
Noctua NH-D15 Single Fan |
32.1 dBA |
32.6 dBA |
Alpenföhn
Matterhorn Pure |
32.0 dBA |
32.7 dBA |
Thermalright
Archon IB-E X2 |
32.5 dBA |
32.7 dBA |
Enermax Liqtech
120X |
32.1 dBA |
32.8 dBA |
Enermax ETS-T40
Black Twister |
32.3 dBA |
33.0 dBA |
be quiet Pure Rock |
32.4 dBA |
33.1 dBA |
Corsair H75 Single
Fan |
32.2 dBA |
33.2 dBA |
Enermax ETS-T40
White Claster |
33.0 dBA |
33.2 dBA |
Thermolab LP-53 |
33.0 dBA |
33.2 dBA |
Scythe Ashura |
32.0 dBA |
33.4 dBA |
NZXT Kraken X61 |
34.6 dBA |
35.8 dBA |
Cooler Master
Hyper 612 Ver. 2 |
33.1 dBA |
33.5 dBA |
Enermax Liqtech
240X Dual Fan (600 - 1300rpm Preset) |
33.2 dBA |
33.5 dBA |
Cooler
Master Hyper 103 |
32.0 dBA |
33.6 dBA |
Prolimatech Lynx |
33.3 dBA |
33.9 dBA |
Raijintek Nemesis
Single Fan |
33.5 dBA |
34.2 dBA |
Corsair H90 Single
Fan |
33.7 dBA |
34.2 dBA |
Thermolab Bada
2010 |
33.8 dBA |
34.2 dBA |
EK Predator 240 |
32.9 dBA |
34.4 dBA |
Corsair H110 Dual
Fan |
33.3 dBA |
34.4 dBA |
Intel Stock |
33.3 dBA |
34.4 dBA |
Scythe IORI
Scior-1000 |
33.2 dBA |
34.6 dBA |
Raijintek Nemesis
Dual Fan |
33.7 dBA |
34.6 dBA |
Lepa LV12 |
34.4
dBA |
34.7 dBA |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow IB-E |
34.0
dBA |
34.8 dBA |
NZXT Kraken X31 |
34.5
dBA |
34.9 dBA |
Deepcool Captain
360 |
33.9 dBA |
34.6 dBA |
Thermalright
Silver Arrow ITX |
33.8 dBA |
34.6 dBA |
Fractal Design Kelvin T12 |
36.5 dBA |
35.1 dBA |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S36 |
34.2 dBA |
35.3 dBA |
Raijintek Themis
EVO |
34.8 dBA |
35.3 dBA |
Fractal Design
Kelvin S24 |
34.7 dBA |
35.6 dBA |
Deepcool Maelstrom
120 |
34.9 dBA |
35.7 dBA |
Raijintek Triton |
36.2 dBA |
36.2 dBA |
Enermax ETS-N30 |
33.8
dBA |
36.9 dBA |
Cryorig R1
Universal |
33.5 dBA |
37.1 dBA |
Thermolab ITX30 |
34.1 dBA |
37.6 dBA |
NZXT Kraken X41 |
34.8
dBA |
37.9 dBA |
Deepcool Maelstrom
240 |
36.1 dBA |
37.9 dBA |
Cooler Master
Nepton 140XL |
34.8dBA |
39.4 dBA |
Cooler Master
Nepton 240M |
33.8
dBA |
40.1 dBA |
Raijintek Pallas |
35.9 dBA |
41.4 dBA |
Antec Kühler H2O
950 |
41.7 dBA |
45.8 dBA |
SilverStone Tundra TD02-Lite |
43.1 dBA |
46.2 dBA |
Antec Kühler H2O 1250 |
43.5 dBA |
47.9 dBA |
Decibel meter (Voltcraft SL-200) has been placed 1 meter away from the
cooler. Measurements are conducted in a quiet room, where there are no other noise source.
The 32 dBA measurement is the lowest
we were able to get in our room.. Also here
the measurements are conducted at lowest and highest fan speeds in idle and
under load, respectively.
[pagebreak]
Conclusion
General |
|
+ |
- |
Overall, the NZXT Kraken X41 is a solid product with
decent color scheme. Black and white is basically suitable for almost
any build. Cooling performance in combination with the 140mm PWM fan
included in delivery is good. The cooler is actually rather small and
comes with a tiny pump/base, so it will fit even in small cases or SFF systems.
|
|
- Cooling capacity
- Noise levels
- Quality
- PWM |
-
High frequent pump
noise |
|
Installation |
|
+ |
- |
The installation is simple an pretty straightforward. With two included
mounting kits, where one is for Intel and another for AMD sockets, it should be quite easy even for less technical users
to mount the cooler properly in a heartbeat. The only - very minor - drawback that we could find is that it is unfortunately not compatible with LGA 775 socket. The thermal paste is pre-applied and although we would like to see it included in the box, this makes the installation
even easier for an average user. |
|
- Easy and practical
- Compatible Intel and AMD |
- No compatible Intel LGA 775 |
|
Performance |
|
+ |
- |
The NZXT Kraken X41 offers average cooling
performanace in all our tests. With the fan driven at 7V and 12V
we find this cooler in the center of our charts and also in PWM mode the
cooler ranks in the middle of our charts. Comparing the NZXT Kraken X41
to other 140mm AiO's the performance is basically on the same level. |
|
- Cooling performances |
|
|
Noise Levels |
|
+ |
- |
Our tests show that the fan included in the bundle is
silent at 7V and audible at 12V. Rotation speeds at 7 and 12V are 1'180 and
1'840 rpm. In PWM mode, the fan speeds
are lower, causing the noise level to drop to a more reasonable 37.9 dBA
under load conditions. |
|
|
|
|
Recommendation /
Price |
|
+ |
- |
Checking Geizhals.eu we find the Kraken X41 listed
for 92 Euro, which is acutally quite expensive. Nevertheless, should you be looking for
a 140mm AiO with black and white color scheme, then you might want to
have a look at the NZXT Kraken X41. Apart from that noise level should not be your number one criteria. |
|
- Gaming PC
- SFF Build |
-
High-End
- Enthusiast |
|
Rating |
We gave the Kraken X41 from NZXT 4 out of 5 stars. |