The NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB has its work cut out for it in this review. Not only have I put it in my own ITX gaming PC to see just how good it is at keeping temperatures down when a lot of components are cramped together, but I’m asking it to keep a famously hot processor cool. In some ways, there’s no better test for a 360mm AIO cooler than trying to control the temperature of the Intel Core i7-13700K, especially in the tempestuous seas of a small form factor build.
Keeping the best CPUs for gaming under boiling point is something this brand has been tasked with for years, and its array of 240mm coolers and 360mm options tend to get a good reputation, so long as you’re open to paying more for a well-known brand. For the higher price you’ll pay here versus the competition from Cooler Mater, MSI, and even Corsair, you do get some innovative design points that admittedly streamline the installation process.
