Face-Off: The Kraken X61, Reserator 3 Max Dual, And NH-D15

Performance Analysis And Recommendations

Noctua delivered the quietest cooling solution in today’s test, though higher temperatures will probably put a damper on the NH-D15’s overall score. You see, a cooler's actual performance is a matter of both heat and noise, since nobody is willing to tolerate a screaming computer in order to achieve a minor drop in temperature.

Mid-pack cooling performance didn’t pay off for the Reserator 3 Max at maximum fan speed, since that setting forces a screaming 47dB a full meter away. I tried switching the power headers to reduce pump speed, but the increase in temperature was far greater than the reduction in noise. A score 16% below-average was the best I could get.

Noctua’s NH-D15 fared far better. Even though it was noisy at full fan speed, its low-noise configuration had a small-enough impact on temperatures to allow a 28% above-average final score.

Oh, and NZXT’s Kaken X61 wins when set to silent mode. Of course, it's also more expensive than the air cooler.

Both the Kraken X61 and Reserator 3 Max Dual are priced at $140, yet they appeal to different markets. The Reserator 3 Max Dual is aimed at enthusiasts who like to show their internal components off, in spite of its moderate performance.

Price is still a problem for the Kraken X61 though, even in the face of its excellent performance. Noctua saves a lot of money by not adding a pump to the mix, and the company passes that savings to buyers.

Again, I insist that the true measure of performance is a cooling-to-noise ratio. Using that metric in a value calculation, we see a huge spike in the NZXT Kraken X61’s value at low noise settings. The NH-D15 still beats it by being both quieter and cheaper.

That means we end facing the same problem we started with. Oversized air-only CPU coolers are too good of a value to ignore. Insanely expensive by air cooling standards, Noctua’s NH-D15 wins primarily because closed-loop liquid coolers are even pricier. It’s also a very powerful, well-made part. I should say something nice since it wins.

There’s still a list of caveats, though. If your tall memory modules don’t fit, blame the memory company. If your cooler hits your graphics card, blame the motherboard company. If your case won’t close, blame the case company. Or do what I did with “Hacksaw Don”, and blame the builder for not considering potential problems in advance.

You can’t ship a system with a huge air cooler. In fact, you shouldn’t move it at all. And we’ve even seen certain four-layer motherboards warp to the point that they stop working when big, heavy CPU coolers are installed. This in an X99-focused article though, and I really don’t think we’ll see that problem in a board with four channels of DDR4 routed through it.

Without the option to give NZXT’s Kraken X61 a value award, I can only say that this is the cooler I would choose to use if I had the money. Weighing the same as our value leader, NZXT’s cooler hangs most of that heft from the case rather than the CPU interface. My gaming system will be no more or less easy to carry to a LAN party, but at least I have some assurance that the machine won’t be broken when I arrive.

As for longevity concerns, the six-year warranty of NZXT’s Kraken X61 is a dead match for that of Noctua’s NH-D15. This stands in stark contrast to Zalman’s one-year guarantee. I’ve seen a couple of closed-loop coolers dry up in the past, and take some comfort in NZXT’s confidence.

Noctua NH-D15

Reasons to buy

+
Thermal Performance
+
Low Noise
+
Price
+
Warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Weight (3lbs)
-
Possible component clearance issues
-
Price

Noctua NH-D15

NZXT Kraken X61

Reasons to buy

+
Great high-speed, good low-speed cooling
+
Low noise at low speeds (Best cooling/noise ratio)
+
Compact cooling head for improved component clearance
+
Light impact (weight) on motherboard socket area
+
Warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires double-140mm-fan case with radiator space
-
Requires USB header for software control
-
Expensive

NZXT Kraken X61

Zalman Reserator 3 Max Dual

Zalman Reserator 3 Max Dual

Reasons to buy

+
Polished double-tower radiator Lighted fans Compact cooling head for improved component clearance Light impact (weight) on motherboard socket area Sliding brackets allow additional motherboard clearance

Reasons to avoid

-
Mediocre cooling performance Somewhat noisy (below-average cooling/noise ratio) Thick radiator requires additional mounting space One-year Warranty

Zalman Reserator 3 Max Dual

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
  • tom10167
    Nice article, though the NH-D14 at only $75 seems like the best value.
    Reply
  • F0lterknecht
    Would have liked to see the numbers for push/pull on the AIOs :-(

    Take 4 reference coolers and you can stick 2 of them to the NH-D15 to keep the noise measurements fair ... .
    Reply
  • F0lterknecht
    I mean 4 fans ofc
    Reply
  • F0lterknecht
    I mean 4 fans ofc
    Reply
  • op8
    which is why I always use test bench style cases so you dont have to worry about warping during transport.
    Reply
  • Amdlova
    put another Fans on the noctua and blow away those water coolers. Noctua make good products. And you never will move your cage with this heavy weight 760T If wanna move something you will spend money on Alluminium (silver stone, lian li, etc).

    1 kg of cooler for 12kg of corsair monster.
    Reply
  • op8
    which is why I always use test bench style cases so you dont have to worry about warping during transport.
    Reply
  • Crashman
    14769014 said:
    put another Fans on the noctua and blow away those water coolers. Noctua make good products. And you never will move your cage with this heavy weight 760T If wanna move something you will spend money on Alluminium (silver stone, lian li, etc).

    1 kg of cooler for 12kg of corsair monster.

    It weighs less than the Aluminium case to which is was compared:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/atx-pc-cases-caselabs-merlin-sm8-corsair-graphite-760t-thermaltake-urban-t81,3865.html

    Reply
  • middlemarkal
    where is the thermaltake ultimate ?
    Reply
  • envy14tpe
    Not a fan of liquid cooling but results like these are getting me to come around. However, the noise and price are the last two things that need to be fixed.

    I mean Corsair's top coolers, H100i or H105, are getting fans replaced which adds $$$. I'd rather put more money into the mobo or consider a custom loop at that point. Really wish the H100i was included in trial. None the less, keep up the great articles.
    Reply