CPU Cooler Check

Cooler comparison

NZXT Kraken Elite 280 RGB vs NZXT Kraken Plus 280

Across the 120 processors either cooler can mount, the NZXT Kraken Elite 280 RGB cools better or equally on 91 of them, . The Kraken Elite 280 RGB is rated 10 W higher.

Reviewed by Farrukh Sufyan SarwarHow we estimate temperaturesPrices verified Model v1.2 · data updated

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NZXT Kraken Plus 280

Type
280 mm AIO liquid cooler
Sustained rating
290 W
Radiator + fans
52 mm
RAM clearance
Unrestricted
Sockets in box
AM4, AM5, LGA1200, LGA1700, LGA1851
Price
~$130
~$130Check price

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

01

Excellent verdicts by socket

Number of processors per socket each cooler keeps in the Excellent band
SocketCPUsKraken Elite 280 RGBKraken Plus 280
AM52525 / 2525 / 25
AM42626 / 2626 / 26
LGA185188 / 88 / 8
LGA17004141 / 4141 / 41
LGA12002020 / 2020 / 20
02

Head to head on popular processors

Estimated full-load temperature and verdict for each cooler on the highest-power processors
ProcessorBoostKraken Elite 280 RGBKraken Plus 280
Core i7-13700K253 W86 °CExcellent fit87 °CExcellent fit
Core i9-13900K253 W86 °CExcellent fit87 °CExcellent fit
Core i9-14900KF253 W86 °CExcellent fit87 °CExcellent fit
Core i7-11700K251 W85 °CExcellent fit87 °CExcellent fit
Core Ultra 7 265K250 W85 °CExcellent fit87 °CExcellent fit
Core i9-12900KS241 W83 °CExcellent fit85 °CExcellent fit
Ryzen 9 9950X3D230 W81 °CExcellent fit83 °CExcellent fit
Core i7-14700224 W80 °CExcellent fit81 °CExcellent fit
Core i9-13900219 W79 °CExcellent fit80 °CExcellent fit
Core i7-12700KF190 W73 °CExcellent fit74 °CExcellent fit
Core Ultra 9 285182 W71 °CExcellent fit73 °CExcellent fit
Core i5-14600KF181 W71 °CExcellent fit72 °CExcellent fit
Ryzen 9 7900X3D162 W67 °CExcellent fit69 °CExcellent fit
Core Ultra 5 245K159 W67 °CExcellent fit68 °CExcellent fit
Core i5-13500154 W66 °CExcellent fit67 °CExcellent fit
Core i5-12600KF150 W65 °CExcellent fit66 °CExcellent fit