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Computer CPU Cooler

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 vs NZXT Kraken M22

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280

Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280

63 reviews

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NZXT Kraken M22

Best for Most

in Computer CPU Cooler

NZXT Kraken M22

41 reviews

View Product Details

Great cooling performance

Quiet operation

Good value for the price

Effective for high-end processors

Effective for reducing temperatures

Great cooling performance

Near-silent operation

Cleaner look with braided nylon sleeves

Backed by a 3-year warranty

Not the easiest installation process

Potential compatibility issues with certain motherboards

Quality control issues reported by some users

Not compatible with all motherboards without additional adapters

Poorly written manual

Some users report defects in the product and issues with software installation process

Verdict

The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 is a highly effective cooler that is praised for its cooling performance and quiet operation. However, installation can be difficult and there have been some issues with compatibility and quality control. It is recommended to double check for clearance before purchasing and to be aware of potential packaging issues if ordering from Amazon. Overall, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 is a top-performing AIO cooler that is a great value for those who prioritize cooling performance over RGB aesthetics.

Verdict

Overall, the NZXT Kraken M22 receives mixed reviews. Many users praise its powerful cooling performance and near-silent operation, while others complain about the poorly written manual and the need for additional adapters to use certain motherboards. Some users also report defects in the product and issues with the software installation process. However, for those who have had a positive experience, the NZXT Kraken M22 is a great addition to their build and keeps their CPU cool even under heavy load.

Reviews by Topic

Our analysis shows how reviewers feel about different topics. Please note these are not full reviews.

Coolant

Ryzen 7 5800x liquid cooler choice

I changed from a Corsair H115i Platinum to the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280, and it dropped temps about 10 C across the board for me on my 5800X. Corsair's hardware was fine except for their AM4 mounting mechanism. It had poor mounting pressure and especially poor over the hottest part of the heat spreader. The Arctic cooler has a very good mounting mechanism, it uses screws at each corner and comes with an offset mounting bracket for Ryzen 3000 and 5000 CPUs so it can line up the center of the coldplate with the hottest spot on the CPU heatspreader

Positive

reddit.com/r/Amd

Cooled Down an AMD 5950x Processor from 70c to 43c Idle

Unfortunately, I was not able to reach my expected temp goals with the Corsair H60i. We can argue that the NZXT has a larger radiator and dual fans where the Corsair has one fan and a smaller radiator, but I would think that it still should be efficient enough to keep the temps at a more stable number. However, for this processor, I do recommend the Kraken especially if you can only fit 2 fans. I am sure there is better, but this works for me

Pressure

Materials missing/not well built, support is non-existent.

At Idle I am running at about 70C, I think, "Jeez, that's super high, but let's go ahead and make sure the monitor isn't crazy or anything." So I start a stress test, and within about 10 seconds I immediately shut it down as my CPU quickly spikes to 90C. I shut my system down and unplug it and bring it back to the bench. Clearly the plate isn't making the kind of contact I want

DAN A4-SFX with a 120mm AiO

. I went ahead and installed a NZXT M22 paired with a slim 120mm Noctua fan since all other cooling solutions (Asetek 645LT and Alpenfohn Black Ridge) failed to keep my 3900X (in ECO mode) to normal temps. Currently, with a room temp of (approximately) 25C, the CPU idles to 37 and maxes to 75C when running a couple of rounds of Cinebench R23, while the Asetek was struggling to keep it under 90C.

Neutral

reddit.com/r/sffpc

Performance

My full AMD non rgb Lian Li O11D build.

Ahh, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II, the excellent performing cooler for those who don't give a sh*t about RGB.

Positive

reddit.com/r/Amd

youtube

NZXT Kraken M22 Liquid Cooler Walkthrough

The M22 is the latest addition to the NZXT Kraken series of high-performance liquid coolers. Featuring our signature Infinite Mirror effect, a precisi...

Positive

Efficiency

Excellent CPU cooler

Oh and the best of all this cooler does not have LEDs! (LEDs consume energy and produce heat - so having them inside non-transparent case located under the desk is a pure waste).

youtube

NZXT Kraken M22 Review | Best 120mm AIO?

So in a real world environment, none of these all in ones are really distracting from a meter away, but if you listen very closely, the M22 is the lea...

Neutral

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