NZXT Kraken X63 RGB (White) AIO Liquid Cooler Review

A Closer Look

Out of the box, the NZXT Kraken X63 RGB presents itself exceptionally well. Without a doubt, a key highlight is that brilliant white colouring which, when compared to the original black model, really makes this stand out! However, with any AIO, there are clearly a lot of individual components that go into the overall design. Let us, therefore, take a closer look at some of them!

CPU Block

The CPU block is surprisingly slim standing at only around 2″ tall. With its small and sleek design, however, this should easily ensure total RAM compatibility. While not immediately obvious in the picture below, on its amazingly reflective surface you can just about make out the NZXT logo. This will, of course, be taken to the next level when the light show is turned on!

We should note as well that the top of the CPU block is entirely rotational throughout 360 degrees. This means that it doesn’t matter which way up you fit this, a couple of quick turns will quickly get it the ‘right way up’ for your system.

The side of the CPU block has 2 ports. The larger one controls the ARGB lighting effects as part of a cable that leads from (or to if you prefer) the fans connector to the radiator. In a nutshell, though, the short version is that in terms of the ARGB, one cable handles it all.

The smaller port provides the power. This directly hooks up to an empty USB connection port on your motherboard.

Contact Plate

The contact plate is a highly polished copper design. It is nice and large meaning that whether you are fitting this on Intel or AMD (with the exception of HEDT models such as the Threadripper) this should provide total coverage. It comes with a nice quantity of thermal paste pre-applied removing one of the more difficult aspects for the first time user. Albeit, as part of our testing methodology, this will be removed prior to our installation.

Radiator

The radiator is perhaps the biggest aspect of this AIO cooler that has most benefited from that white colouring. It looks amazingly good. Something that is, perhaps, pleasantly surprising as usually the radiator is the most boring/generic aspect of an AIO.

The radiator fins are exceptionally well presented. It seems clear that NZXT has crammed as many as possible in here while still allowing for a good strong level of airflow.

While there is some branding present, it’s nicely understated. Choosing not to break the white colouring has been an exceptionally wise move on NZXT’s part as the embossed logo (pictured below) looks absolutely fantastic!

Fans

Being a 280mm AIO cooling solution, it should come as no surprise to find that you are supplied with 2 x 140mm fans. While clearly taking the aesthetics to the next level when the lighting is switched on, the contrast of the white fans with black cornering, and good anti-vibration padding, makes these look fantastic even with the RGB currently off!

A closer look confirms that these fans have been both designed and created by NZXT. This is a very encouraging sign as it suggests that their performance, as well as the RGB lighting effects, have been specifically designed to work with this AIO cooler.

Overall

Fully assembled, the NZXT Kraken X63 RGB is really pleasing to the eye. The contrast between the white and black really works well and, even with the RGB off, this cooler looks exceptionally impressive. In addition, the quality of the components look excellent and this has clearly been designed to a high standard.

In something of a side note as well, as you can see in the picture below, even when ready to be fitted to our test bench, this has avoided the pitfall of having an absolute rats nest of cabling dangling everywhere. It’s neat, tidy, and all-in-all, should perform every bit as well as it looks.

Before we get onto the testing, however, we need to get this fitted to our system. So if you want to know how easy or hard that is, click the next page!