NZXT Announces The Kraken G12 AIO GPU Cooling Bracket

By Steven Lynch
published

NZXT announced the Kraken G12 GPU cooling bracket, which allows end users to install all-in-one cooling solutions on their graphics cards. The company stated that the Kraken G12 is the successor to the G10 and features an updated design that allows for easier installation and broader compatibility.  

On the subject of cooling performance, NZXT’s founder and CEO Johnny Hou had this to say:

Being able to play the latest games at the highest settings, without sacrificing performance is something all gamers want. While aftermarket graphic cards have improved lately, most stock cooling systems still can’t reach the performance level of liquid cooling. That’s why we decided to design the updated Kraken G12 to be easier to install and support the latest liquid AIOs.

Although this is an NZXT-branded component, the Kraken G12 cooling bracket is not limited to NZXT-branded coolers. In fact, the Kraken G12 is compatible with more than thirty AIO coolers currently on the market. This broad compatibility is due to the fact that NZXT's line of Kraken coolers are designed by Asetek, the very same company that designs coolers for the likes of Corsair, Antec, Thermaltake, and others.

The bracket design utilizes the stock heatsink mounting holes around the GPU, making the Kraken G12 bracket compatible with a wide range of graphics cards from both Nvidia and AMD. The press release lists support for everything from the 5xx series GPUs all the way up to the latest 10 series GeForce GTX cards. There is support for current AMD video cards such as the RX 480 and RX 470, but as noted in the compatibility chart, due to die height some older AMD graphics cards may require the use of a copper shim (which is not included).

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We inquired about the possibility of NZXT-branded memory or VRM heatsink kits, and although a company representative stated that there are currently no plans to offer memory or VRM heatsink kits, he noted that the Kraken G12 does offer support for most current aftermarket solutions.

Even though the G12 is offered in only two colors (matte black or matte white), industrious modders can easily customize the look of the Kraken G12's powder-coated finish with a quick repaint or added graphics.

The NZXT Kraken G12 allows those of you who have recently upgraded your CPU cooler from a 120mm /140mm AIO cooler to a larger 240mm /280mm unit to simply repurpose your old AIO cooler into a cooling solution for your graphics card without spending a lot of money.

The Kraken G12 AIO GPU cooling bracket has a two-year warranty and retails for $29.99 USD. Availability is listed as April 24, 2017, but you can preorder one now if you like.

Steven Lynch
7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Clamyboy74
    Nice NZXT! Listening to the consumers!
    Reply
  • zodiacfml
    AIO should be targeting GPUs anyway. Intel's chips can overclock well with air cooling
    Reply
  • sinaptic
    Not surprisingly, the GPU has consistently been the loudest and hottest component in my gaming systems. The predecessor to this item (the G10 bracket) when mated up to a decent AIO watercooler tamed both problems in short order and increased overclocking headroom without having to dump a ton of cash on a custom loop. It’s seriously one of the best things I’ve ever purchased for gaming.

    Like others have already mentioned, good to see NZXT making an already good product even better.
    Reply
  • urbanj
    Not sure if your table lies about the RX480 support, or if it's NZXT's "PC Compatibility Checker", but I haven't found one non-reference RX 480 card that actually supports this cooler according to NZXT.....sigh

    *EDIT*
    Nevermind, seems NZXT takes you to the G10 page even though the page you were viewing previously is about the G12.
    Seems NZXT needs to put out a proper G12 page, and add a "PC Compatibility Checker" for it.
    Reply
  • Dirk_Funk
    I was wondering about the rx480 too. Vrms are on the wrong side right? Maybe as long as you put heat sinks on them the fan creates enough airflow still?
    Reply
  • JakeWearingKhakis
    With the extremely diverse amount of graphics cards out, of different PCB's and layout designs, it doesn't make much sense to have a "universal" waterblock that most-likely will leave your VRMs and memory with hotspots that aren't touched or cooled well.

    Get a custom full cover waterblock for your graphics card. There is nothing better than that.
    Reply
  • JackNaylorPE
    A product w/o a target market. Contrary to what was said above, unlike CPUs, AIB GFX cards, at least on nVidia side, are not limited by GPU temps. The product will no doubt find buyers ... add an LED and sales will skyrocket.

    EK has been selling "universal" block's since they the company was first established so "nothing new here" ... just another cheap imitation that doesn't deliver anything over air coolers. Do not see the logig in delivering hald the solution. No objection to water cooling, but if you are going to go that route.

    a) Make sure the pump delivers 1 gpm or better.
    b) Never mix copper blocks with aluminum rads.
    c) Make sure that you can add corrosion inhibitors after they lose their effectiveness (useful life = 18 months)
    d) Do not accept low efficiency aluminum radiators which require higher rpm / much noisier fans to offset their low heat transfer.
    Reply