CPU coolers / Compare
NZXT Kraken Plus 240 vs Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3
Product A: NZXT
30 of 54 known
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS ARGB
ID-COOLING FX360 INF
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240
ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB (2024)
Thermalright Grand Vision 360 ARGB
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 360 RS ARGB
NZXT Kraken Plus 280
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280
MSI MAG CoreLiquid A13 360
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
Change NZXT Kraken Plus 240
Compare the Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 with
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS ARGB
ID-COOLING FX360 INF
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240
ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB (2024)
Thermalright Grand Vision 360 ARGB
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 360 RS ARGB
NZXT Kraken Plus 280
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280
MSI MAG CoreLiquid A13 360
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360Product B: Thermalright
24 of 54 known
NZXT Kraken Plus 280
Phanteks Glacier One 360M25-LCD
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420mm
MSI MPG CoreLiquid P13 360
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
be quiet! Pure Loop 3 360mm
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS ARGB
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420
CORSAIR NAUTILUS II 360 RS LCD
NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB
Change Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3
Compare the NZXT Kraken Plus 240 with
NZXT Kraken Plus 280
Phanteks Glacier One 360M25-LCD
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 280
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420mm
MSI MPG CoreLiquid P13 360
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
be quiet! Pure Loop 3 360mm
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS ARGB
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420
CORSAIR NAUTILUS II 360 RS LCD
NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB19 of 46 fields differ
- 12 different values
- 7 known for one only
- 8 the same
- 19 missing for both
All 54 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


General
6 of 12 differ
Series
Model numbers
RL-KN240-B21Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026Product info: RL-KN240-B2 (Black). The Plus RGB 240 is RL-KR240 and is a separate product with RGB fans.3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 14 October 2026The RoHS table lists Kraken Plus 240 (RL-KN240-B2), Kraken Plus 280 (RL-KN280-B2) and Kraken Plus 360 (RL-KN360-B2).
Not available
GTIN / EAN
5056547205199, 8100748452811Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026Product info: UPC 810074845281 (Black), EAN 5056547205199 (Black).
0814256016339, 08142560163535Retailer pageparadigit.ie/thermalright-aqua-elite-240-argb-v3-black/21885378/productRead 14 October 2026Product number manufacturer 814256016339 for the black edition. A search listing at cclonline.com carries the same code in its URL. Amazon.com lists UPC 755225218449 for its AE240 V3 listing, which is not stored because the listing does not name a colour.6Retailer pagecomputerorbit.com/products/thermalright-aqua-elite-240-v3-white-argb-aio-liquid-coolerRead 14 October 2026The product data lists barcode 0814256016353 for the white edition.
Announced
Not available
Not available
Status
Predecessor
Not available
Not available
Successor
Not available
Not available
Launch price (US)
$139.991Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026The page price is $139.99. The same price is in the May 2025 launch article. US prices exclude tax.5Press articlehardcoregamer.com/nzxt-launches-four-new-pc-componentsRead 14 October 2026Kraken Plus 240 $139.99. US prices exclude tax.
Not available
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Markets
US, EU5Press articlehardcoregamer.com/nzxt-launches-four-new-pc-componentsRead 14 October 2026USD pricing for the US.6Press articlegeektopia.es/es/technology/2025/05/21/noticias/nzxt-anuncia-la-serie-kraken-plus-de-refrigeraciones-liquidas.htmlRead 14 October 2026EUR pricing next to the USD pricing of the US launch.
Not available
Colours
Cooler type
Air cooler layout
Not available
Not available
Rated TDP (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Base material
Thermal paste
Compatibility
1 of 3 differ
CPU sockets
AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA11501Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026Tech specs: Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200 and 115X, AMD AM5 and AM4. 115X is stored as LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156. The FAQ says mounting hardware for all of them is in the box.3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 14 October 2026Component list: Intel 1851/1700 and 1200/115X standoffs, AMD AM5/AM4 retention bracket and standoffs.
AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA2066, LGA20111Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Page header: Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5. LGA115X is written as LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156. LGA2011 and LGA2066 are not in the page header. They come from the maker's installation guide, which has an INTEL LGA20XX page with a 2011 mounting hole, and from LDLC, which lists Intel 2011, 2011-v3 and 2066 for this model. LGA2011-3 and LGA1366 are not stored.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Installation pages for Intel LGA115X/1200, LGA1700, LGA20XX and AMD AM4 (AM5 follows the AM4 steps). The manual is from August 2023 and has no LGA1851 page.7Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00627311.htmlRead 14 October 2026Processor support: Intel 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 1700, 1851, 2011, 2011-v3, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM5. Only the sockets the maker names are stored.
RAM height clearance
Not available
Not available
Offset mounting
Not available
Not available
Heatsink
None of 3 known
Heat pipes
Not available
Not available
Heat pipe diameter
Not available
Not available
Direct-contact heat pipes
Not available
Not available
Liquid cooling
2 of 7 differ
Radiator size
Radiator dimensions
Length281Width120Thickness27mm(11.1 × 4.7 × 1.1 in)1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026Tech specs: radiator 281 x 120 x 27 mm (11.1 x 4.7 x 1.1 in), aluminum.
Length276Width120Thickness27mm(10.9 × 4.7 × 1.1 in)2Maker product pagethermalright.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AE-V3-240.jpgRead 14 October 2026Blueprint Dimension drawing on the maker page: radiator 120.0 +/-1.0 mm wide, 276.0 +/-1.0 mm long and 27.0 +/-0.5 mm thick, without fans. LDLC lists the same 276 x 120 x 27 mm and 52 mm with a fan. Amazon.com's description says 277 x 120 x 27 mm.7Retailer pageldlc.com/en/product/PB00627311.htmlRead 14 October 2026Dimensions without fan: 276 x 120 x 27 mm. With fan: 52 mm high.
Radiator material
Tube length
Max pump speed
2,800rpm1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026NZXT Turbine pump, motor speed 1,200 - 2,800 +/-300 RPM, 12 V DC 0.3 A. The rated top of 2,800 is stored.4Maker product pagenzxt.com/blogs/news/nzxt-kraken-aio-coolers-explained-elite-plus-and-coreRead 14 October 2026Kraken Plus pump 1,200 to 2,800 RPM, adjustable.
2,800rpm1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Pump Rated Speed: 2800 RPM +/-10% (MAX). Amazon.com's description also says 2800 RPM +/-10%. Several retailer copies of an older text say 3300 RPM, so the maker's current page wins.8Retailer pageamazon.com/dp/B0CCNS5NZ9Read 14 October 2026Description: pump speed 2800 RPM +/-10%. The listing's item weight of 100 g is not the weight of the cooler and is not stored.
Pump power connector
4-pin PWM fan header1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026Specification table: Connector 4 PIN PWM.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Waterblock/Fan Guide: connect the pump power cable to the motherboard WATER PUMP or CPU_OPT socket. The fans connect to the FAN HUB, which connects to the CPU FAN socket. The product page names the pump connector as 4 PIN PWM.
VRM fan
Not available
Not available
Fans
1 of 2 differ
Included fans
ANZXT Kraken Plus 240
| Model | Size (mm) | Fans | Min speed (rpm) | Max speed (rpm) | Airflow (CFM) | Static pressure (mmH₂O) | Noise (claimed) (dB(A)) | Bearing | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F120P Static Pressure Fan | 120 | 2 | 500 | 2,000 | 73.47 | 4.5 | 30 | Fluid dynamic (FDB) | 4-pin PWM |
Source1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026Included fan specs for the F120P Static Pressure Fan: 2 individual fans, 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 500 - 2,000 +/-200 RPM, 73.47 CFM, 4.5 mmH2O, 30.0 dBA, fluid dynamic bearing, 4-pin PWM, 0.18 A at 12 V. The FAQ says each fan is rated 30.0 dBA at full speed. Zero RPM Mode stops the fans at low loads.3Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 14 October 2026The F Series static pressure fan has a 4-pin PWM fan cable. The fan splitter cable has an 8-pin male plug for the breakout cable and 4-pin PWM headers for the fans.
BThermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3
| Model | Size (mm) | Fans | Max speed (rpm) | Airflow (CFM) | Static pressure (mmH₂O) | Noise (claimed) (dB(A)) | Bearing | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL-C12B-S V2 | 120 | 2 | 1,500 | 66.17 | 1.53 | 25.6 | Fluid dynamic (FDB) | 4-pin PWM |
Source1Maker product pagethermalright.com/product/aqua-elite-240-v3Read 14 October 2026TL-C12B-S V2 specification: 120 x 120 x 25 mm, 135 g, rated speed 1500 RPM +/-10% (MAX), noise 25.6 dBA (MAX), air flow 66.17 CFM (MAX), air pressure 1.53 mm H2O (MAX), 4 PIN PWM connector, S-FDB bearing. S-FDB is stored as fluid dynamic. The page does not state the fan count. The count of 2 comes from the manual. No minimum speed is published.3Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Components page, item A: Fan 240X2, 280X2, 360X3. The 240 mm model has 2 fans.
Fans
2
2
Display and lighting
7 of 7 differ
RGB lighting
No1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026The F120P fan spec lists LED quantity 0. The overview sentence about RGB fans is shared text from the RGB model and is not followed.4Maker product pagenzxt.com/blogs/news/nzxt-kraken-aio-coolers-explained-elite-plus-and-coreRead 14 October 2026Lineup table: RGB on the fans only for Kraken Plus. The non-RGB 240, 280 and 360 have no RGB fans.
Lighting standard
Not available
Built-in screen
LCD1Maker product pagenzxt.com/products/kraken-plus-240Read 14 October 2026Display: transmissive TFT, 262K colours, 30 Hz, 300 cd/m2, software-adjustable orientation.4Maker product pagenzxt.com/blogs/news/nzxt-kraken-aio-coolers-explained-elite-plus-and-coreRead 14 October 2026Kraken Plus has a square 1.54-inch TFT LCD, 240 x 240, 30 Hz.
Screen size
Not available
Screen resolution
Not available
Software
Not available
Needs a USB header
Measured
None of 6 known
Cybenetics THETA, AMD AM5
Not available
Not available
Cybenetics THETA, Intel LGA1851
Not available
Not available
Overall performance at 30 dB(A), AM5 (measured)
Not available
Not available
Overall performance at 30 dB(A), LGA1851 (measured)
Not available
Not available
Noise at 100% fan setting (Cybenetics)
Not available
Not available
Thermal tests (measured)
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
None of 4 known
Dimensions
Not available
Not available
Heatsink dimensions
Not available
Not available
Weight
Not available
Not available
Heatsink weight
Not available
Not available
In the box
1 of 1 differ
In the box
Kraken Plus 240 x1, Intel Backplate x1, Intel Retention Bracket (pre-installed) x1, Intel Socket 1851/1700 Standoff x4, Intel Socket 1200/115X Standoff x4, AMD AM5/AM4 Retention Bracket x1, AMD Socket AM5/AM4 Standoff x4, Thumbscrew x4, Long Screws (30mm UNC 6-32) x16, Short Screws (5mm UNC 6-32) x8, Washer x8, F Series Static Pressure Fan x2, Breakout Cable Set x1, Fan Splitter Cable x13Owner's manualcdn-g.nzxt.com/dl/Kraken%20Plus_Manual_240919_V2-WEB.pdfRead 14 October 2026Component list of the Kraken Plus 240 / 280 / 360 poster manual, with the 240 quantities: 16 long screws, 8 short screws, 8 washers and 2 fans. Names are copied as printed. The manual is a poster with the list in images.
Fan x2, INTEL Bracket x2, INTEL 115X/1700 Backplate x1, AMD AM4/AM5 Bracket x2, LGA115X/LGA17XX Screws x4, Plastic Spacer x4, 115X Standoffs x4, 17XX Standoffs x4, LGA20XX Screw x4, INTEL nuts x4, Fan mounting screw x8, Radiator mounting screw x8, Thermal Compound x1, FAN HUB x1, AM4/AM5 Screw x4, AM4/AM5 Standoffs x43Owner's manualdownload.thermalright.com/manuals/AQUAELITE240V3.pdfRead 14 October 2026Components page, items A to P, copied as printed. The page covers the 240, 280 and 360 mm models. Counts are those for the 240 mm model (fan 240X2, fan mounting screw 240X8, radiator mounting screw 240X8, fan hub 240X1). The radiator and pump block are not in the parts list.
Links
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
Not available
Not available
Manual
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
1 of 1 differ
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
Both are also in the API. Back to all CPU coolers.