Cooling your CPU is one of the most essential things to think about when you’re building your PC because most components heat up when used, especially under heavy loads, and could cause a fire hazard. This is where AiOs come in.
AiOs are CPU coolers that use liquids and offer superior cooling performance than Air Coolers. They are among the most popular ways to cool your gaming computer, commonly found in most gaming setups worldwide for their design and performance.
Although multiple brands sell AiOs, NZXT is known to create quality AiOs that provide great performance. NZXT is a well-known brand for selling its amazing custom and pre-built systems, cases, and hardware.
The Kraken Series is NZXTs lineup of AiOs sold in the market today. The NZXT Kraken X73 and the Kraken Z73 are two of NZXTs’ AiOs that are very similar, so let’s compare them and see which of the two is better.
Main Differences
The NZXT Kraken X73 and Z73 are basically the same cooler. The big difference is that the Z73 has an LCD display in the pump head, where the X73 only has colored RGB lighting. Accordingly, the price of the Z73 is also significantly higher.
Comparison – NZXT Kraken X73 vs Z73
NZXT Kraken X73 | NZXT Kraken Z73 | |
 |  | |
Radiator Size | 360 mm / 14.17" | 360 mm / 14.17" |
Fans | 3 | 3 |
Fan Size | 120 mm / 4,72" | 120 mm / 4,72" |
Fan Thickness | 26 mm / 1.02" | 26 mm / 1.02" |
Fan Speed | 500 to 2,000 rpm | 500 to 2,000 rpm |
Maximum Airflow | 73.11 CFM | 73.11 CFM |
Fan LED | ||
Pump LED | RGB | LCD Display |
Noise Level | 21 to 36 dBA | 21 to 36 dBA |
Control Method | 4-Pin PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) | 4-Pin PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) |
Power Consumption | 3.84 W | 3.84 W |
Intel LGA 115X | ||
Intel LGA 1200 | ||
Intel LGA 1366 | ||
Intel LGA 2011-3 | ||
Intel LGA 2066 | ||
AMD AM4 | ||
AMD sTRX4 | Threadripper bracket not included | Threadripper bracket not included |
AMD TR4 | Threadripper bracket not included | Threadripper bracket not included |
Warranty | 6 years | 6 years |
NZXT Kraken X73 | NZXT Kraken Z73 |
| | |
Radiator Size 360 mm / 14.17" | Radiator Size 360 mm / 14.17" |
Fans 3 | Fans 3 |
Fan Size 120 mm / 4,72" | Fan Size 120 mm / 4,72" |
Fan Thickness 26 mm / 1.02" | Fan Thickness 26 mm / 1.02" |
Fan Speed 500 to 2,000 rpm | Fan Speed 500 to 2,000 rpm |
Maximum Airflow 73.11 CFM | Maximum Airflow 73.11 CFM |
Fan LED | Fan LED |
Pump LED RGB | Pump LED LCD Display |
Noise Level 21 to 36 dBA | Noise Level 21 to 36 dBA |
Control Method 4-Pin PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) | Control Method 4-Pin PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) |
Power Consumption 3.84 W | Power Consumption 3.84 W |
Intel LGA 115X | Intel LGA 115X |
Intel LGA 1200 | Intel LGA 1200 |
Intel LGA 1366 | Intel LGA 1366 |
Intel LGA 2011-3 | Intel LGA 2011-3 |
Intel LGA 2066 | Intel LGA 2066 |
AMD AM4 | AMD AM4 |
AMD sTRX4 Threadripper bracket not included | AMD sTRX4 Threadripper bracket not included |
AMD TR4 Threadripper bracket not included | AMD TR4 Threadripper bracket not included |
Warranty 6 years | Warranty 6 years |
Installation and Compatibility
Not all AiOs can fit into a computer; some need larger space to accommodate their radiators, some can only be compatible with specific CPU Sockets, etc. But installing AiOs is similar and very easy to do.
First, you will need to check if the AiO can fit into the case and other parts. Then, you have to install the CPU Block on the CPU (after installing the CPU to the Motherboard), then you can mount the fans and radiators to your case, then you’re done.
The Kraken X73 and Z73 have 360mm radiators that need at least a Mid-Tower to a Full-Tower case for them to fit. They would also need three 120mm fans for them to be able to cool the CPU.
The Kraken Z73 and Z73 can be used to cool a broad range of CPUs. Brackets for AMD and Intel CPUs are included with both of these AiOs. Most current-generation AiOs are compatible with Intel processors.
AMD’s Threadripper series is not compatible out of the box, and you have to purchase the Threadripper CPU brackets individually. Aside from that, Ryzen CPUs are backward compatible.
Cooling Power
Cooling Power is one of the main things you look at when purchasing an AiO. AiOs come in different sizes and would need more fans the larger their radiators are.
AiOs with larger radiators offer more cooling power than smaller ones because more travel and more fans are used to cool the liquid inside. Let’s see whether the X73 or the Z73 are better than the other.
The performance of the X73 and Z73 liquid coolers is similar. The normal temperature of the Z73 was measured at 22 o C when the CPU was idle and 46o C when the processor was active.
When not in use, the Z73 keeps a temperature of 11o C., which is cooler than the X73. When this AiO was put to the test, it reached a temperature of 42o C.
Radiator Size
At 360mm, the X73 and the Z73 have similar-sized radiators. They offer more liquid and more cooling potential than smaller radiators in the market.
Fans
Both AiOs include fans right out of the box, so you won’t have to buy separate fans. The X73 and the Z73 use three 120mm fans, but the included fans of these two AiOs are the same, the Aer P120.
The Aer P120s are 120mm fans with a fan speed of 400-3000 RPM, with 18.28–73.11 CFM airflow. These fans are PWM Fans, which means you can control their speed.
Pump
Both these coolers have similar pump power. These coolers are able to push the liquid fast with motor speeds of about 300 – 2800 ± 300RPM.
Look
Different AiOs have different looks. Some look more minimalistic, and some look more rugged, but they are mostly similar. NZXT has a unique look on their Kraken Series with a cleaner and more minimalistic look than the rest of the competition.
The X73 and the Z73 have similar designs, with an all-black color and round pump; this makes the AiOs look clean and minimalistic. Sadly both AiOs don’t have RGB Fans included, so you’ll have to purchase them yourself.
Pump Head
Although the pump head for these AiOs is similarly shaped, they have huge differences. The X73 has an RGB head pump with an infinity mirror design like most NZXT AiOs, while the Z73 has an LCD Display found on its pump head which can be customizable with NZXT CAM.
RGB Sync
Even if the X73 and Z73 don’t have a lot of RGB Lighting included, they are compatible with NZXT CAM. This allows you to control the lighting of the coolers.
Noise Level
Powerful AiOs tend to become noisier than others. Noise level isn’t something you can avoid since AiOs do make noise, especially under heavy load, or if you increase their speed.
The Kraken X73 and the Kraken Z73 have the same problem of making a noise like the rest. But both coolers are relatively quiet, and they can produce noises of about 21-31dBA, which is not as loud as other AiOs in the market.
Power Consumption
All computer components need enough power to work properly, and the more powerful the part is, the more demanding it is for power. AiOs are no exception to this rule since they are essential PC components to keep the CPU from overheating; they take a lot of power to run.
The X73 and Z73 are powerful AiOs which means they would need more power to work. Both coolers need 3W of power to all their parts, like the fans and pump.
Price
AiOs can be expensive; different sizes have different prices. Higher quality AiOs typically cost over $100, and the bigger ones cost more.
Since both the X73 and the Z73 are large and high quality, they are expensive. The X73 costs $189.99, while the Z73 costs $100 more at $289.99. Don’t worry if these coolers break; both coolers have a 6-year warranty included.
Conclusion – NZXT Kraken X73 vs Z73
NZXT AiOs are some of the best CPU coolers on the market. If We put two of them up against each other without considering their prices, Kraken Z73 would win.
The Kraken Z73 is a good option for anyone who wants a vibrant show on their water block. It also provides better cooling performance than the X73. The Kraken X73 is good for those who want something clean and is more on RGB, and the cooling performance of this AiO is also great.
An overall winner would be the Kraken X73. Even if it has less cooling power and doesn’t display, it would still perform similarly to the Z73. But in the end, the choice would be yours.
