The closed-loop liquid coolers are follow-up products to the Kraken X40 and Kraken X60 that we reviewed last year . The X41 and X61 have kept the same 140mm / 280mm CLC design, but make additions in the form of variable pump speed control and increased radiator thickness.

Case, power, and cooling manufacturer NZXT announced new products in their liquid cooling (CLC) lineup today at Computex. The company debuted the Kraken X41 and Kraken X61 to members of the media at the Taipei-based computer electronics convention, alongside a new "GRID+" fan controller hub.

NZXT Kraken X41, X61 Specs

Spec Kraken X41 Kraken X61 Socket Mount Intel: 2011-3, 1366, 1156,

1155, 1150



AMD: FM1, FM2, FM2+,

AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+ Intel: 2011-3, 1366, 1156,

1155, 1150



AMD: FM1, FM2, FM2+,

AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+ CLC Size 140mm 280mm Airflow 42.4-106.1 CFM 42.4-106.1 CFM Fan Pressure 0.36-1.97mmH2O 0.36-1.97mmH2O Fan Bearing Nano Bearing Nano Bearing Motor Speed 2400-3600RPM 2400-3600RPM Motor Voltage 12V DC 12V DC Tube Length 400mm 400mm LED Control HUE lights HUE lights Warranty 6 Years 6 Years MSRP $110 $140

Increasing radiator thickness by 24% theoretically improves the thermal dissipation capacity of the cooler. The added surface area comes in the form of more aluminum fins, the material used for thermal conductivity to duct heat away from the liquid pipes within the radiator. Because there's more surface area on the X41 and X61, heat is better exposed to NZXT's new FX140 V2 fans for dissipation. This same concept was applied to SilverStone's fairly fat TD02 CLC.

To the same tune, thermal dissipation and noise levels will see some benefit in the form of NZXT's pump and fan control. We've previously used the Kraken control panel for this, but it seems that NZXT plans to integrate their recently released CAM software with the new CLCs. Our understanding is that pump RPMs can be controlled automatically or manually through CAM . The objective of pump control, as found on other CLCs, is to limit noise levels within the enclosure by decreasing RPM. MSRP for the 140mm X41 is $110. MSRP for the much larger (280mm) X61 is $140 -- about the same as the X40 and X60 when first launched.

NZXT's CLCs are still supplied by Asetek.

NZXT GRID+

The company's "GRID" fan controller was released about a year ago as a fan controller hub for cable-busy cases. GRID's objective is to eliminate cable clutter by hosting all of the fan power in a central location, similar to a power grid. The device can be mounted to the rear side of a case (behind the board), in drive bays, or wherever else there's room for it. Most of NZXT's cases already include fan controller hubs, so the GRID is primarily targeted at enclosures that do not natively offer this functionality.

The GRID+ hosts six fan channels that can be digitally controlled by the same CAM software, permitting up to 30W total output. Custom profiles and fan names can be assigned to the devices via CAM . NZXT includes two 3-pin to 4-pin extension cables, a micro USB cable, some zip ties, and a MOLEX-to-phone jack connector. The GRID+ measures in at 73mm x 18mm x 73mm.

MSRP for the GRID+ is $30.

All three devices are available on NZXT's "Armory" store for pre-order and will be available through normal retail channels shortly.

- Steve "Lelldorianx" Burke.