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NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black — 280 AIO
NZXT

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black

280 AIO

86
/ 100
From $229
VS
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 wins by 1
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 — 240 AIO
Arctic

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240

240 AIO

87
/ 100
From $89
Specdex verdict

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black lands at 86 and Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 at 87. That puts Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating

Pick Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Install

Tie

Compared on the install sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Thermals

Tie

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise

Tie

Compared on the noise sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 more score per dollar ($89 vs $229).

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black 86
vs
87 Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240

Score breakdown

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black
86
thermals 86
noise 82
install 88
value 86
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240
87
thermals 87
noise 83
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black versus Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 — full spec comparison
Spec NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240
Type
280 AIO
240 AIO

NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black

Pros
  • +Multi-socket bracket support
  • +Quiet fans at idle
  • +Strong TDP rating
Cons
  • −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
  • −AIO pump noise varies
  • −Installation requires motherboard-off

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240

Pros
  • +Multi-socket bracket support
  • +Quiet fans at idle
  • +Strong TDP rating
Cons
  • −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
  • −AIO pump noise varies
  • −Installation requires motherboard-off

FAQ: NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black vs Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240

Which is better, NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black worth the price? +

At $229, NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in install.

Is Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 worth the price? +

At $89, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in install.

Does NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is the better value, NZXT Kraken 280 RGB · Black or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 — more score per dollar ($89 vs $229). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.