NZXT Kraken X31 Liquid CPU Cooler Review

Overview
When we pull the X31 and it’s components out of the shipping materials we find a standard selection for an NZXT AIO. In fact since we recently reviewed the bigger brother to the X31, the X41, it’s a bit of deja vu for us. We find of course the cooler itself, an NZXT branded fan, short manual, and installation accessories.

NZXT Kraken X31

Installation accessories include an AMD adapter, a universal backplate, stand offs for both AMD, standard Intel, and Intel socket 2011. Also included of course are screws and washers for installing the radiator in your case. You will find that NZXT has actually included an extra set of screws and washer so you can easily add a second fan of your own.

NZXT Kraken X31

For the fan NZXT has included a Hydro Bearing RF-FX-122-HP 120mm black body with white blades PWM fan. This boasts a max of 81.32 CFM flow rate, while creating between .44-2.76 mmH20 of static pressure between claimed speeds of 800-2000 RPM. Not the most impressive fan spec list, but then we only need to push air through a 30mm radiator with a moderate fin per inch density.

NZXT Kraken X31

As for the cooler itself, again it feels like deja vu. Essentially what you are looking at is a scaled back version of the X41. Starting with the pump, (again please connect your pump power before powering the system) we find a nearly identical puck shaped variable speed device. By the specs, internally it is in fact the exact same pump. It’s a great pump to have included in NZXT’s entry level cooler. Boasting the ability to scale up pump speed to match demand, this will help eliminate pump buzz when the unit isn’t being stressed. The most notable difference between the pump found in the X31 and X41 is the former does not have a hue adjustable LED built into the top of the pump housing. It has the same logo and design but it is just white paint for the X31.

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The base of the pump is again a round cold plate with thermal paste pre installed. The copper cold plate has about a B grade finish to it. Also NZXT uses the same mounting mechanism here as elsewhere with easy swap-able brackets pre installed for Intel. Off the right side of the pump we have a mob of wiring protruding just above the inlet outlet ports. There are four connectors in all, a 3 pin to power the unit, two four pins to power the fan(s), and a USB 2.0 connector to provide the CAM software with data and receive control inputs.

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The radiator as mentioned is 30mm thick with a black finish. It has a moderately high FPI count (to make up for it’s thickness we presume) and seems pretty solid over all. The matte black paint especially appears to be pretty tough and scratch resistant. On one end of the radiator you will find 400mm of thick rubber tubing. This lengthy tubing is very resistant to collapsing and will help with installs in larger cases.

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