NZXT Releases The Kraken X52, Mutates X42 And X62

NZXT unveiled its new Kraken X52 all-in-one cooler and updated its existing X42 and X62 models. The X52 model features a single 120mm fan, whereas the X42 and X62 kick the cooling up a notch with two 140mm fans apiece.

NZXT invites you to "embrace the silence" of its new redesigned and quieter pump. The company didn't provide many details on the redesign, which finds its way into all three products, but it does claim that the new pump offers quieter operation and increased performance. The company paired the pump with reinforced nylon sleeves for the tubing, which NZXT designed to protect the cooler tubes during installation. Of course, bulked-up tubes can create flexibility issues, but NZXT noted that the added strength won't put you in an inflexible bind.

The new coolers also work with the CAM 3.2 software, which NZXT designed to control pump, fan, and lighting performance. Users can tune the variables to their liking for the right mix of cooling and silence. The RGB lights feature several crowd-pleasing presets, such as Spectrum Wave, Loading, and Exchange. These modes respond to temperature and audio output conditions to inform the user of system changes.

It also supports HUE+ lighting sync, Aer RGB, and game mode for CS:GO. Users can even select different colors and presets for the fan and pump, both of which have their own independent light arrays. Users can also use the utility to update the firmware, which makes it a forward-thinking platform that the company promises will offer more features in the future. 

NZXT is also quite proud of its new Aer P fans, which come to market blowing lots of hot air with high static pressure fans. The new fans spin with fluid dynamic bearings and feature a chamfered intake and exhaust as well as winglet-designed fan blades. The fans also come with sleeved cabling and vibration dampers. They come in blue, red, and white.

The MSRPs weigh in at $129.99 for the X42, $149.99 for the X52, and $159.99 for the X62. The Aer P fans are also available separately for your cooling pleasure. The 120mm P120s will spin your way for $15, whereas the 140mm P140s are $18. The cheeky-colored trims snap in for $6 per two-pack. All of the items are available for preorder now and will ship in early November.

NZXT will make CAM 3.2 available via download soon-ish, but it didn't provide an exact date.

Paul Alcorn
Managing Editor: News and Emerging Tech

Paul Alcorn is the Managing Editor: News and Emerging Tech for Tom's Hardware US. He also writes news and reviews on CPUs, storage, and enterprise hardware.

  • Valantar
    Those fans don't look like any high static pressure fans I've ever seen. Could they really be effective at lower speeds with fan blades spaced that far apart? In fact, they look kind of like my old Noctua 120mm airflow-optimized fans... Weird.
    Reply
  • shrapnel_indie
    Alrighty then...

    The X42 is 140mm class, the X52 is 240mm class, and the X62 is 280mm class. This didn't seem clear until I went to the NZXT website and looked at them.
    Reply
  • Valantar
    18748019 said:
    Alrighty then...

    The X42 is 140mm class, the X52 is 240mm class, and the X62 is 280mm class. This didn't seem clear until I went to the NZXT website and looked at them.

    Yep, that confused me too. From reading the article, one might think the X52 was 120mm. Whether they use one or two fans is really not indicative of much.

    Reply
  • thundervore
    So now they are on par with Corsair pumping out the same Asetek rebranded crap yearly Great.
    Reply
  • jeffcaru
    Sooo... where can this even be pre-ordered?
    I was looking to purchase the X61... but now seeing a new updated edition coming up I feel the need to wait and pickup the new one. Anyone have thoughts on waiting or would the X61 be on par with cooling and silence?
    Reply
  • MeloDRUMatic
    The X61 is definitely on par with cooling and silence. I bought a X61 for $114.99 on Amazon and don't think the X62 is that much quieter and may only be a degree or two cooler. The extra $45 for the X62 is all about Ascetics IMHO
    Reply
  • MeloDRUMatic
    Whoops misspelled Aesthetics
    Reply
  • MeloDRUMatic
    If you want to order it go to Nzxt.com but they are on backorder currently
    Reply
  • DVJ Rick Kraft
    Not available in Asia yet... :(
    Reply