NZXT Kraken x61?

[Hi-Fi Man]

I was thinking about getting an AiO cooler to replace my Zalman CNPS10X Performa because I wanted better cooling but something that won't snap off and destroy my components during shipping. The problem is I've personally seen many AiO in the past with various problems such as leaking, loud pump noise, and pump failure. I know the x61 has a new variable speed Asetek pump and seems well reviewed but I'm still not completely sure. The reliability of an air cooler is really nice but the hassle of taking it off every time to ship my computer isn't. In addition if I want better cooling performance I would have to buy a really large heatsink which doesn't sound appealing at all.

So right now I'm at a crossroads; should I buy an x61 or just stick with my heatsinks?

 

[XavierMace]

Mine's been running strong for 2 years now, no issues. It's usually at the top of the charts for AIO's. I swapped out the included fans for Noctua Industrials. Quiet profile is quiet, but crank them up to max and they are moving a serious amount of air.

 

[rchunter]

I'm happy with kraken x61. I have 2 in use right now and a 3rd one sitting here waiting to be installed when I build my new 6800K rig at the end of August.

 

[themagicman]

Couldn't figure out my old forum account info, but anyways I have owned a Kraken X61 cooling my 5820k since November 2014 and I have been extremely impressed with it. Even on the "quiet" mode, it keeps my prime95 load CPU temps below 75C even when overclocked to 4.5 GHz with the system remaining nearly inaudible. Performance is even better (under 60C under full load) when set to high-performance mode in NZXT's CAM software. You can also create a custom profile to precisely tune how much the fans will spin up as higher temperatures are reached, and you can set it to use the CPU core, cooler liquid, or GPU core temperature as its reference temperature.

Honestly I have never been more impressed with any cooler I've ever owned in my 15 years working with computer hardware, and I have owned it for near 2 years and it's still running perfectly.