NZXT CAM Update Takes Kraken Coolers to the Next Level

What New Features Can You Expect?

The NZXT Flagship cooler, the Kraken Elite already benefits from all of the new features, and the Kraken Z has many of them too. However, while the standard Kraken will now be able to display both images and GIFs, all the models will see an uptick in the web display integration, which will now go from 1FPS to 30 FPS on the Kraken, which I think you’ll agree is a HUGE upgrade in performance. However, even the Kraken Elite will see its Web Integration go from 3 FPS to 40 FPS, while also seeing its GIFs going from 27 FPS to somewhere between 40 and 60 FPS.

That means all models get a higher refresh rate, which means smoother GIF animations, and smoother web display, and you can now display both the infographic to showcase your CPU temperatures, loads and other information, while now also having a GIF as the background, which is just going to look so much cooler!

CAM & Kraken Firmware Compasion

NZXT Kraken

The Kraken has an embedded 1.54″ 240 x 240 square LCD that can now display this information at 30 frames per second. This applies to both the Kraken 280 as well as the Kraken 360. You can either upload your own GIF into the CAM software that will be applied to the screen or use the NZXT CAM GIPHY integration to search for gifs from within the software, making it very user-friendly.

NZXT Kraken Elite

This is a more premium model and has a more capable and higher resolution display that measures 2.36″ with a 640 x 640 wide-angle LCD display that is also brighter and will now be able to display GIFs just like the Kraken, but with up to 60 frames per second, and the Web Integration at up to 40 frames a second rather than the 1 frame per second prior to the update. The Elite used to only display 256 colours, and that’s now increased to a much more vibrant 8000 colours.

As you can see, there are plenty of things you can do, as seen in this demonstration image from NZXT, showcasing Carousel, Infographic, Web Display, Visualizer (Elite Only), GIFs, and both Infographics with GIF Background.

What’s even more impressive is that while NZXT has increased the update rate and efficiency of their own software and displays, it’s actually going to be beneficial to your system too, with the Elite currently using around 5% of the CPU on the old firmware, and dropping to around 3% after the firmware update, despite the improved performance. This is based on testing using an i7-8700K. And last, but not least, the CAM software can now be put into full-screen mode, rather than being forced to a window size, which is handy if you want to throw it onto a secondary monitor.