Built using Asetek's latest platform, the cooler includes a seventh-generation pump designed to be cooler and quieter than ever before, but the real talking point is the 60mm, 24-bit LCD display sitting on top. We've seen various manufacturers attempt to create trendy pump heads in recent years, and NZXT isn't the first to shoehorn a display into the top, but if the goal is to bring an element of wow factor to CPU cooling, we can unequivocally state that the Kraken Z73 is the sexiest effort to date. Oh So Pretty With a bright, 2.36” LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color, you can now completely customize the look of your CPU cooler with custom gifs or CAM data.

But those who do choose the Kraken Z73 won’t likely be disappointed or bored with this cooler. Its performance is great. And once you get tired of its looks you can fire up the software, change up what’s on the bright LCD display, and give your system that cool “new cooler” look. NZXT Devices using Micro USB: Kraken X3 series, Kraken Z3 series, Hue+ Controller, Hue 2, Hue 2 Ambient, Grid V2, and Grid V3. Unfortunately there are times where the CAM software may stop recognizing your CAM-powered hardware. This can happen for a number of reasons including but not limited to changes in your system software, a hardware interruption, or a power state issue. Thankfully with a few simple steps, we can get the hardware recognized properly. Is Your NZXT Device Recognized by Windows? Designed for full- and mid-tower cases with support for 360mm radiator mounting, the Kraken Z73 delivers the highest cooling potential of any Kraken.Thermal imaging from the FLIR ONE Pro camera shows little difference between 50% and 100% fan speeds, which mirrors the narrow differences in CPU temperatures over ambient we observed. Nominal changes on the radiator inlet and outlet tanks as well as the lateral length of the radiator are the only indication between the two testing runs. The included Aer P radiator fans are designed for liquid-cooling perfection. Featuring a chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearings, they deliver silent operation, long-term reliability, and powerful cooling performance. In the Control Panel, select “View devices and printers” or if you are in Icon view, “Devices and Printers”. If there are any devices listed as “Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)”, this could indicate a power state issue with the device itself. If you see any devices listed this way, see the following section for power cycling your device.

With a bright, 2.36” LCD screen capable of displaying 24-bit color, you can now completely customize the look of your CPU cooler. Whether it’s a funny gif or CAM data, you can use your Kraken to express yourself in an exciting new way. RGB and Fan Controllers (including those integrated with NZXT motherboards), USB connected Kraken coolers (X and Z series, M22), and other devices will be listed under the “Unspecified” section.

It’s a strong performer with a pretty LCD face. But this cooler will leave a “kraken” your wallet.

If after following the steps above your NZXT device is still not detected, then the device itself may be at fault and needs to be replaced. For further assistance, including warranty claims and setting up an RMA for the device please reach out to our Customer Support team. The latest revisions from ODMs have resulted in reduced noise levels and increased pump efficiency, and whichever brand you choose, the user experience tends to be familiar. Standing out in this segment isn't easy, but NZXT has managed to do just that with its latest 360mm effort, the Kraken Z73. Mice, Keyboards, Capture Devices, and Audio Devices will be listed under the top “Devices” section. RGB and Fan Controllers, including those integrated with NZXT motherboards, will be listed as “NZXT USB Device” or "NZXT RGB Controller" for newer controllers, while Kraken coolers will show up with the names such as “Asetek USB Device”, “NZXT Kraken Device”, “NZXT KrakenZ Device”, or “NZXT KrakenX Device”. The all-new Kraken Z Series lets you personalize your all-in-one liquid cooler like never before. Through CAM’s unique software interface, you can do more than simply fine-tune settings; you can now display your favorite animated gifs or CAM system information, allowing for total customization.

What else do you get with the range-topping Z73? Well, the pump is attached to a 394mm x 121mm x 27mm aluminium radiator via 400mm of sleeved rubber tubing, with flexible connectors at the pump end. A trio of four-pin Aer P120 fans is included as part of the bundle, as are two cables that attach to the top-side of the pump. The first is a micro-USB for connecting to a motherboard header, the second is a breakout cable with six connections; three-pin pump; SATA power; a trio of four-pin headers for the fans; and an NZXT RGB connector for powering other lighting accessories. With the rather large 280mm and 360mm radiator setup for the Z63 nd Z73, NZXT has been able to largely distance itself from such problems. Our testing setup included the following hardware: If the device does not detect using an alternative cable or if the device does not have a removable USB cable (i.e. RGB & Fan Controller, Kraken X61, etc.), then this may indicate that the device itself may be defective and need to be replaced. Kraken X Chipset DriversDo you have any questions not covered by this guide or need further assistance? Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Support team and one of our friendly support agents will be there to assist you. Are you looking to keep up on all things NZXT? Go ahead and join the Official NZXT Community Discord to keep up to date on our latest products, upcoming sales, and join in on discussions on everything from PC hardware to gaming. If the NZXT device still does not detect while connected to the motherboard then there may be an issue with the USB cable. If the device has a detachable USB cable, such as with the Kraken X2, X3, and Z series coolers then you can use a standard Mini USB or Micro USB cable (see the list below) to connect the device to an open USB Type-A port on the motherboard or with an external PC such as a laptop. CAM’s elegant, user-friendly software makes you the master of your PC. With simple-to-use, intuitive controls, you can manage your Kraken’s performance and appearance with ease. Hold the Power button on the PC for 30 seconds to drain any residual power. It is recommended to also allow the PC to sit for 5-10 minutes with the power cable disconnected to ensure any residual power is drained.

Actual performance varies with AIO coolers since these products allow for almost anyone to get into water-cooling, but they omit one vital component of any custom loop — the reservoir. One way to battle this, especially with smaller 120mm radiator units, is to bump the pump and fan speeds, which can have a negative effect on noise generation.Display Orientation: Software adjustable Default and -90° orientation Display Panel Active Area: 2.36” (60mm) diameter Display Color: 24-bit true color LCD Display Resolution: 320 x 320 px Display Brightness: 650 cd/m² In some cases you may run into a situation where the Kraken is being detected as an “Unknown Device” in the Windows device manager or the device driver does not load properly. If you encounter this issue, you may need to manually install the chipset driver . Fine nylon mesh sleeves strengthen the rubber tubing, providing durability and protection against mishandling. With the fully programmable display, the pump can be rotated* to fit the needs of your motherboard without affecting the direction of the logo or image.