NZXT Kraken Elite 280

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NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Review & Specifications

The NZXT Kraken Elite 280 by NZXT is a Liquid CPU cooler designed for compatibility with LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4, sTRX4, TR4 sockets.

This liquid cooler uses a high-efficiency CPU block made of Copper for optimal heat transfer. It features a 280 radiator with dimensions of 321 x 137 x 27 mm, paired with 2 fan(s) of 140 mm each. The fan(s) operate at a maximum speed of 2000 RPM with a noise level of 34.0 dBA, achieving a total airflow of 99.0 CFM. Please ensure your PC case can accommodate the radiator size and mounting configuration. You can check compatibility with our PC Builder, which filters cases based on radiator size. Aesthetically, this CPU cooler includes RGB lighting for customizable illumination, adding visual flair to your system build. The cooler is backed by a 6-year warranty, providing long-term reliability and manufacturer support.

Performance

NZXT Kraken Elite 280 is a high-end performance liquid CPU cooler built for CPUs with a TDP exceeding 200 W, delivering an excellent relative cooling performance score of 94.00%. It is particularly well-suited for high-end gaming PCs, as it helps exhaust heat directly outside the case, improving internal airflow and thermal headroom for powerful GPUs. While it can be used in workstation builds, caution is advised due to inherently lower reliability compared to air coolers. Liquid coolers offer top-tier thermal performance, often unmatched by air coolers, but come with increased complexity, more moving parts (such as the pump), a risk of coolant leakage, and a higher likelihood of requiring maintenance over time.

Cost-Effectiveness

The NZXT Kraken Elite 280 achieves a moderate performance-to-price ratio of 21.1% when compared to the best-performing air cooler_selected. Note: While liquid coolers typically trail behind in value, this cooler still provides respectable efficiency and is suitable for those prioritizing quieter operation and improved aesthetics.

General Information

Manufacturer	NZXT
Cooler Name	NZXT Kraken Elite 280
Current Price Amazon	$196
Amazon Price Updated	19 hours, 26 minutes ago.
Cooler Available	True

Specification

Cooler Type	280 / Liquid
Socket Compatibility	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4, sTRX4, TR4
CPU Block	Copper
Fan Size / Number	140 mm / 2 fan/s
RGB	True
Cooler Dimensions	321 x 137 x 27 mm
Cooler Height	27 mm
Warranty	6 years

Performance

Fan Speed	2000 rpm
Noise	34.0 dBA
Airflow	99.0 CFM
Relative Performance	94.00%

NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Compared to CPU Coolers with Similar Performance

CPU Cooler Price / Performance Table

CPU_Cooler (Desc)	Price (Desc)	Performance (Desc)	Perf/Price (Desc)
Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARG… Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$85 Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| 0.0% Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB Price Change No significant price change detected.	95.0%	49.2%
Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARG… Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$85 Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| 0.0% Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 Price Change No significant price change detected.	95.0%	49.2%
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARG… Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$48 Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| ↓ -10.0% Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 Price Change Price decreased from the last update.	94.0%	85.8%
NZXT Kraken Elite 280 NZXT Kraken Elite 280 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$196 NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| ↑ 22.5% NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Price Change Price increased from the last update.	94.0%	21.1%
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARG… Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$50 Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| ↓ -10.0% Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 Price Change Price decreased from the last update.	94.0%	83.0%
NZXT Kraken 280 NZXT Kraken 280 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$178 NZXT Kraken 280 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| 0.0% NZXT Kraken 280 Price Change No significant price change detected.	94.0%	23.2%
Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$159 Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Price Not Available Last known price from Amazon. Currently unavailable. Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| ↑ 14.4% Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Price Change Price increased from the last update.	92.2%	25.5%
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$55 Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| 0.0% Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Price Change No significant price change detected.	91.0%	72.9%
NZXT Kraken 240 NZXT Kraken 240 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	$163 NZXT Kraken 240 Price Not Available Last known price from Amazon. Currently unavailable. Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. \| ↑ 2.3% NZXT Kraken 240 Price Change Price increased from the last update.	90.0%	24.4%

CPU Cooler Comparison and Detail Specifications Table

Specification	Thermalright Frozen Warframe … Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	Thermalright Frozen Warframe … Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	Thermalright Frozen Notte 360… Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	NZXT Kraken Elite 280 NZXT Kraken Elite 280 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	Thermalright Frozen Notte 360… Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	NZXT Kraken 280 NZXT Kraken 280 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.	NZXT Kraken 240 NZXT Kraken 240 View detailed specs, charts, and comparison for this CPU Cooler.
Perf Chart
Price	$85 Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. 0.0% Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB Price Change No significant price change detected.	$85 Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. 0.0% Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 Price Change No significant price change detected.	$48 Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. ↓ -10.0% Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 Price Change Price decreased from the last update.	$196 NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. ↑ 22.5% NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Price Change Price increased from the last update.	$50 Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. ↓ -10.0% Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 Price Change Price decreased from the last update.	$178 NZXT Kraken 280 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. 0.0% NZXT Kraken 280 Price Change No significant price change detected.	$159 Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Price Not Available Last known price from Amazon. Currently unavailable. ↑ 14.4% Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Price Change Price increased from the last update.	$55 Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Current Amazon Price Click to view this CPU Cooler on Amazon. 0.0% Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Price Change No significant price change detected.	$163 NZXT Kraken 240 Price Not Available Last known price from Amazon. Currently unavailable. ↑ 2.3% NZXT Kraken 240 Price Change Price increased from the last update.
Cooling Type	360 / Liquid	360 / Liquid	360 / Liquid	280 / Liquid	360 / Liquid	280 / Liquid	360 / Liquid	360 / Liquid	240 / Liquid
Radiator Size	397 x 120x 27 mm	397 x 120x 27 mm	397 x 120x 27 mm	321 x 137 x 27 mm	397 x 120 x 27 mm	321 x 137 x 27 mm	397 x 120 x 27 mm	396 x 120 x 27 mm	123 x 275 x 30mm
Height	54 mm	54 mm	54 mm	27 mm	54 mm	27 mm	27 mm	54 mm	27 mm
Fan Specs	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 69.0 CFM	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 69.0 CFM	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 72.3 CFM	140 mm / 2000 rpm / 99.0 CFM	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 72.3 CFM	140 mm / 2000 rpm / 99.0 CFM	120 mm / 2600 rpm / 65.57 CFM	120 mm / 1500.0 rpm / 66.2 CFM	120 mm / 1800 rpm / 78.0 CFM
Noise Level	27.0 dBA	27.0 dBA	28.0 dBA	34.0 dBA	28.0 dBA	34.0 dBA	34.1 dBA	25.6 dBA	30.6 dBA
Sockets	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4, sTRX4, TR4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4, sTRX4, TR4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 2011, LGA 2011-3, LGA 2066, AM5, AM4, sTR4, sTRX4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4	LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1155, LGA 1156, LGA 1200, LGA 1700, LGA 1851, AM5, AM4, sTRX4, TR4
Warranty	6 years	6 years	5 years	6 years	5 years	6 years	5 years	5 years	6 years

CPU Cooler Specification Table

CPU_Cooler (Desc)	Cooler Type	Radiator Size	Height	Fan Size/Speed/Airflow	Noise
Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARG… Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 BLACK ARGB View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	360 / Liquid	397 x 120x 27 mm	54 mm	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 69.0 CFM	27.0 dBA
Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARG… Thermalright Frozen Warframe 360 SE ARGB V2 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	360 / Liquid	397 x 120x 27 mm	54 mm	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 69.0 CFM	27.0 dBA
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARG… Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 White ARGB V2 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	360 / Liquid	397 x 120x 27 mm	54 mm	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 72.3 CFM	28.0 dBA
NZXT Kraken Elite 280 NZXT Kraken Elite 280 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	280 / Liquid	321 x 137 x 27 mm	27 mm	140 mm / 2000 rpm / 99.0 CFM	34.0 dBA
Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARG… Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	360 / Liquid	397 x 120 x 27 mm	54 mm	120 mm / 2000.0 rpm / 72.3 CFM	28.0 dBA
NZXT Kraken 280 NZXT Kraken 280 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	280 / Liquid	321 x 137 x 27 mm	27 mm	140 mm / 2000 rpm / 99.0 CFM	34.0 dBA
Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT Corsair H150i Elite LCD XT View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	360 / Liquid	397 x 120 x 27 mm	27 mm	120 mm / 2600 rpm / 65.57 CFM	34.1 dBA
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	360 / Liquid	396 x 120 x 27 mm	54 mm	120 mm / 1500.0 rpm / 66.2 CFM	25.6 dBA
NZXT Kraken 240 NZXT Kraken 240 View detailed specs, thermal charts, and comparisons for this CPU cooler.	240 / Liquid	123 x 275 x 30mm	27 mm	120 mm / 1800 rpm / 78.0 CFM	30.6 dBA

Additional CPU Cooler Information

Additional Information:

Display is better compared to non elite version

Display:

Diameter:2.72 in (69 mm)
Colors:16.7 million
Resolution:640 x 640 px
Brightness:690 cd/m²
Panel Type:IPS
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Orientation:Software adjustable

NZXT Kraken Elite 280

View NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Gallery With High-Resolution Images

NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Review & Specifications

Performance

Cost-Effectiveness

General Information

Specification

Performance

NZXT Kraken Elite 280 Compared to CPU Coolers with Similar Performance

CPU Cooler Price / Performance Table

CPU Cooler Comparison and Detail Specifications Table

CPU Cooler Specification Table

Additional CPU Cooler Information

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