So what must a user do if they only have locations that support only a single 140mm fans? Simple, run out and pick up a Kraken X40 for yourself. The X40 is the single slot model of the X60. NZXT promises very good thermal numbers from the X40 because of its powerful pump, larger radiator and 140mm fan. I personally can’t wait to see how well it holds up again the bigger brother and other AIO coolers on the market.

NZXT Kraken X40 All-In-One Liquid CPU Cooler Review

Introduction

Just a few days ago we took a look at the NZXT’s new AIO water-cooling kit, the Kraken X60. A great cooler with a lot of promise mainly because of the performance supplied by the larger 140mm fans compared to the usual 120m fans used on all other kits. But in order to use it you must have dual 140mm spacing somewhere in the case. Unfortunately this is not the case for some users.

So what must a user do if they only have locations that support only a single 140mm fans? Simple, run out and pick up a Kraken X40 for yourself. The X40 is the single slot model of the X60. NZXT promises very good thermal numbers from the X40 because of its powerful pump, larger radiator and 140mm fan. I personally can’t wait to see how well it holds up again the bigger brother and other AIO coolers on the market.

NZXT’s take on the X40

NZXT introduces the Kraken series, the first premium all-in-one water coolers for PC enthusiasts. The Kraken X40 is a high-end 140mm water cooling solution where ease of use meets functionality. Included is one NZXT FX-140 PWM fan, with capacity to install an additional in a push-pull configuration for unrivaled cooling performance. At the core of the cooler is a state-of-the-art pump attached to an all copper base. Bridging the radiator and pump are extra-long 16” tubing and premium sleeved cables, allowing Kraken X40 to be easily installed into even the largest chassis. We developed the Kraken series to be the best closed loop water coolers on the market. Our customers should not settle for anything less.

Specifications

Features

Closer look

Like the Kraken X60 we review just a couple of days ago the X40 is another AIO cooler that supports a fan larger than the norm. In this case we have support for up to two 140mm fans in a push-pull configuration, but it does only come with one. But we will still take it.

The radiator attached to this unit is a single 140mm one that measures 27mm thin. And just like the larger model the X40’s radiator is not dense at all allowing for slower speed fans to work well.

And just like the x60 the tubing on this model is very flexible and measures 400mm long. NZXT wanted the cabling to be longer than most making for the installation process much smoother.

The block of the cooler is identical to that of the X60 as it has the same circular configuration. All of the AIO systems we have seen thus far has shared the same setting except for the Corsair H100i and H60 as well as the Cooler Master Seidon 120M. The latter is round as well but the mounting is different.

Speaking of mounting the system secures to the motherboard sockets using several points around the pump along with a couple of brackets.

Thermal compound is applied to the base out-of-the-box. With it removed we saw evidence of machining but nothing to write home about.

All cabling is attached to the head of the unit making for a simpler install. We once again appreciate NZXT giving them a good sleeving job. As seen in the image below two fans can be connected if user wants to implement a push/pull setup. The USB header allows the cooler to interact with the software provided. More about the software can be seen here.

Below are the mounting hardware needed to mount the cooler to any AMD or Intel motherboard.

Mounting Images

Testing Methodology

For our testing we will be using the following procedures and parameters to acquire the necessary data:

1. Thermal compound used is Arctic Silver 5
2. Idle temperatures are recorded after the system has been allowed to idle for thirty minutes from the point Windows has finished loading.
3. Load temperatures are recorded by running OCCT for twenty minutes on all available threads.
4. Real Temp is used for the recording of all temperature sensor reading.
5. PWM function is disabled via BIOS to allow the fans to run at full speed.
6. CPU model and overclock speed used for testing are outlined below in “Test Hardware”.
7. Each cooler is first tested with one fan supplied from the manufacturer.
8. Each cooler is then tested again with a second fan attached if provided by the manufacturer.

Test Hardware:

1. ASUS X79 Deluxe Motherboard
2. Intel Core i7 3930K Processor
3. Kingston HyperX 1866 DDR3 16GB
4. Kingston V+ 200 120GB Solid State Drive
5. ASUS BC12B1LT BD-Rom Drive
6. Thermaltake Frio Extreme CPU Cooler
7. MicrocoolBanchetto 101 Open Air Test Bench
8. Silverstone Strider Gold Evolution 850W Power Supply
9. ASUS Nvidia GTX 560Ti 448 Graphic Card

Results

Conclusion

We have been fortunate enough to review NZXT from their very beginning existence. And it never amazes me to see every single product perform as well as it goes. We have enjoyed the likes of the Havik series of cases and you can’t say anything bad about their cases. The Kraken X40 continues this feeling that I have towards NZXT.

For an AIO of this size to perform close to or better than larger unit is simply awesome. Granted it is uses a 140mm surface and uses a 140mm cooling fan but the others are 120mm x2 and uses two 120mm for a total much higher than the X40. I was told this was going to happen and it did. So, at this point you have to say that NZXT is tops when it comes to both single fan and double fan all0in-one water-cooling.

The only down to the cooler is that you may not have the spacing for it as it will require a 140mm fan slot. Many of today’s case will accommodate it but there are plenty that will not. There is no word if NZXT will be making a 120mm or 240mm models of the NZXT but if they do I hope it performs close to this one.

Well, maybe there is one other thing. The Kraken series only carries a two year warranty while others can carry as much as a five year guarantee.

The Kraken X40 will carry an asking price of about $99.

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