NZXT and the Kraken series of liquid cooled CPU coolers need no introduction, as they have been in this game nearly as long as it has been played. Over the years we have seen eight variations, today's review being the ninth, in a long run of coolers for NZXT. In that time we have seen the coolers start from infancy, develop into chart-topping performers at one point, and has now moved into coolers that sort the infinity lighting head units, which dress up any rig in a way nobody else is doing. However, with all of the previous coolers in the Kraken series, much of what was going on is the same throughout the line, but not today, as NZXT is trying out something new which is interesting, to say the least.

Using a smaller AIO, being 120mm based, it is an excellent launch platform to introduce a new tactic in design. Where most of the AIO on this planet are built with the pump riding atop the cold plate, as of late, is a resurgence to try to move the pump to different locations. We have seen them built into the end of a radiator, we have seen them strapped to the fans, and we have just seen them in-line, but until now we have never seen it placed right smack in the center of the radiators fin array. NZXT locates the pump in the "dead-zone" of these radiators, which is typically covered with the fan hub. The principle is sound as it removed the head from the head unit that the pump creates, and is not somewhat actively cooled. Also using an area that the fan cannot efficiently cool in the radiator seems legit, but we will soon see how it all plays out.