#Z53 RGB SOFTWARE#
#Z53 RGB PC#
#Z53 RGB FREE#

Outside of the milky paintwork, it's a familiar formula. Being able to daisy-chain the RGB from one fan to the next is handy - and NZXT supplies a short cable for doing so - but we do wish the current crop of liquid coolers entailed fewer wires.

#Z53 RGB SOFTWARE#

As pictured above, emanating from the CPU block is a three-pin pump motherboard header, a SATA power cable, a three-way splitter for attaching the four-pin PWM fans, an RGB fan connector, and a USB cable to provide software support. One caveat to modern AIO coolers, particularly those with RGB, is that cabling can get cluttered. Achieving the right shade of white is easier said than done, but NZXT has just about managed it the entire product feels crisp with only slight variations between the tubing and the radiator itself. These are AIOs for users inclined to splash the cash on an arctic-themed rig, and to that end the matte-white Kraken is admittedly rather dashing. Those willing to forego the LCD display can look to the Kraken X53 RGB White, which will set you back a mere £160, but either way, NZXT clearly isn't targeting the budget-conscious builder. That's a significant amount for a 240mm closed-loop cooler, and to put the figure into perspective, you can get a six-core, 12-thread Intel Core i5-11600K processor for similar money. Pricing remains precarious, with the Z53 RGB White coming in at a jaw-dropping £230. When we reviewed the standard black Kraken Z73 early in 2020, we liked the cooler but were aghast at the £250 asking fee. Let's get the elephant out of the room first. Kraken X- and Z-Series coolers are now available in matte white, as are Aer RGB 2 fans, and we have the mid-range Kraken Z53 RGB White in for review today.

#Z53 RGB PC#

NZXT has a history of eye-catching hardware, and given the firm's catalogue of white PC chassis, it is no surprise to learn that its flagship liquid coolers are being given a pearly makeover. The popularity of overclocking is waning, and if temperatures aren't a problem, what's the harm in dressing a PC to impress?

#Z53 RGB FREE#

We still have a lot of respect for high-quality coolers that are free of superfluous accoutrements and use just a single cable, but on the other hand it could be argued that modern processors aren't all that difficult to cool. Is that a bad thing? Well, it depends on your point of view.

Remember when CPU coolers were appraised exclusively by a single attribute their ability to cool a CPU? These days, actual cooling performance has in many ways become a secondary concern, with RGB illumination, onboard displays and software customisation taking the front seats.

Z53 rgb