NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB - 360mm AIO CPU Cooler, LCD - White
Bottom line: The NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB ($292.84 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 2.72-inch 640x640 IPS LCD at 60 Hz with a 690 cd/m² backlight; main trade-off: needs a case with a 360mm radiator mount, which rules out many compact builds.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 2.72-inch 640x640 IPS LCD at 60 Hz with a 690 cd/m² backlight
- ✓ Custom Turbine pump rated by NZXT at 10% better cooling with less noise
- ✓ Tool-free brackets for AM5, AM4, LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115X
- ✓ Pre-applied thermal paste and a single breakout cable speed up the build
- ✓ Shows GIFs, live system stats, Google Photos, Spotify and YouTube
Cons
- ✗ Needs a case with a 360mm radiator mount, which rules out many compact builds
- ✗ Costs a lot more than 360mm AIOs without a pump-head display
- ✗ The 10% performance gain is NZXT's own asterisked claim
- ✗ Pre-applied paste is single-use; remounting means buying new paste
Manufacturer description
The NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB (model RL-KR36E-W2) is a 360mm all-in-one liquid CPU cooler in white. It pairs quiet cooling with one of the most customizable pump-head displays you can buy. At its core is NZXT's custom Turbine pump, built for high flow rate and head pressure to handle hot-running CPUs. NZXT rates it at a 10% performance boost with less noise. On top of the pump sits a 2.72-inch IPS LCD with a 640 x 640 resolution, a 60 Hz refresh rate, a 690 cd/m² backlight and 24-bit color. That makes it bright enough to read through a tempered-glass side panel. You can put a favorite GIF or…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cooling & fans category. NZXT's cooling & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for cooling & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NZXT Kraken Elite 360 compatible with AM5 and Intel LGA 1851?
Yes. The tool-free brackets support AMD AM5 and AM4 plus Intel LGA 1851, LGA 1700, LGA 1200 and LGA 115X sockets.
How big and sharp is the LCD screen on the pump?
It is a 2.72-inch IPS panel with a 640 x 640 resolution, a 60 Hz refresh rate, a 690 cd/m² backlight, 24-bit color and wide viewing angles.
What can I show on the Kraken Elite display?
You can show a favorite GIF or image, monitor real-time system performance, or use the Google Photos, Spotify and YouTube integrations. The RGB LED ring can also sync with what's on screen and with your other RGB devices.
Do I need to buy thermal paste separately?
Not for the first install, because the thermal paste comes pre-applied on the cold plate. If you remove and remount the cooler later, you'll need to apply fresh paste yourself.
Will a 360mm radiator fit in my case?
You need a case with a 360mm radiator mount at the top or front. Check your case's radiator support specs, and check the NZXT product listing for exact radiator dimensions and warranty terms.
Key Features
- SUPERIOR COOLING: The custom-designed NZXT Turbine pump efficiently cools even the most heat-prone CPUs with its high flow rate and head pressure, resulting in a 10%* performance boost with less noise.
- BIGGER, BOLDER DISPLAY: Enjoy stunning visuals on the large 2.72-inch IPS LCD featuring crisp 640 x 640 resolution, smooth 60 Hz refresh rate, ultra-bright 690 cd/m² backlight, vibrant 24-bit color, and wide viewing angles.
- MORE PERSONAL THAN EVER: Display your favorite GIF or image, monitor real-time system performance, and integrate with Google Photos, Spotify, and YouTube. Sync the RGB LED ring with on-screen content and other RGB devices for a cohesive look.
- SIMPLE INSTALLATION: Get set up quickly with pre-applied thermal paste, a single breakout cable, and tool-free mounting brackets for the latest AMD (AM5, AM4) and Intel (LGA 1851/1700, 1200/115X) CPU sockets.
- VIBRANTLY COOL: The RGB Core single-frame fan on the radiator provides optimal airflow and vibrant lighting, along with a sleek, integrated design for easy connectivity and control.
Full Specifications
| Brand | NZXT |
|---|---|
| Color | White |
| Model | RL-KR36E-W2 |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Wattage | 28.44 watts |
| Material | Metal Plastic |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 30 db |
| Part Number | RL-KR36E-W2 |
| Material Type | Metal Plastic |
| Cooling Method | Water |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Packs | 1 |
| Air Flow Capacity | 78.86 cfm |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Included Components | Liquid Cooler |
| Power Connector Type | 8-Pin |
| Warranty Description | 2 Year Manufacturer |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 2400 rpm |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 4.72"L x 1.06"W x 15.75"H |
Ready to buy?
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB - 360mm AIO CPU Cooler, LCD - White is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Cooling & Fans
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best Budget Gaming Mouse + Mousepad Combo Under $80 in 2026
- Best Starter Kit for Learning Robotics on Raspberry Pi (2026)
- When OpenAI Retires a Model: Build a Local RTX 3060 Hedge
- Qwen 3.8 Open Weights: What Fits on a 12GB GPU
- Ryzen 5 5600G vs Ryzen 7 5700X for a Budget 1080p Gaming Build
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- Can You Run Kimi K3 Locally? VRAM Math for the New Open Model
- Best Low-Power CPU for a Jellyfin Home Server: 5600G vs i7-9700K
- Mistral Medium 3.5 Local Inference: VRAM, Quantization & Tokens/sec on Consumer GPUs
- RTX 4090 AIO Kit 2025: Pricing, Cooling & Buying Guide
- Cheap 80s Keyboard Gets a Modern Brain Upgrade
- Best Racing Wheels and Controllers for Sim Racing in 2026
- Noctua NH-U12S vs Cooler Master ML240L RGB for a Ryzen 7 5800X gaming build: which cooler actually holds…
- AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE Review: Thoroughly Midrange
- Best Budget GPU for Local LLMs in 2026: RTX 3060 12GB
- GLM-5.2 for Local Agents: Can a 12GB RTX 3060 Run Long-Horizon Tasks?
- Best Beginner Racing Wheel 2026: Logitech G29 vs HORI FFB
- Best GPU for 1080p High-Refresh Esports 2026: RTX 3060 12GB
- Best Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for Beginners in 2026
- Best CPU for Gaming 2026: Price-to-Performance Guide
- RTX 5090 vs RX 9070 XT: Specs, Gaming & AI Compared
- 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 PCI vs Voodoo5 5500 AGP: Win98 Performance Synthesis (2026)
- Best PC Upgrades to Buy Before the 2026 Memory Price Spike
- Best Sim Racing Gear for Beginners in 2026
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090