NZXT H9 Flow RGB+, Kraken Elite 420, and F140X: We Tried NZXT's Ace Trio

In the past few weeks, we had the opportunity to test three flagship products from NZXT: the H9 Flow RGB+ case, the 420 mm Kraken Elite cooler, and the brand-new F140X fans. These components are aimed at the high-end market and designed for builds with extreme performance in mind.

We can reveal that the case and cooler perfectly represent their price ranges, to the point that both ended up in the personal build of the writer. Of course, we encountered a few minor weaknesses which we felt obliged to mention, but they did not undermine the final verdict. The fans, on the other hand, were less convincing.

Let’s be clear, there’s nothing wrong with their operation, but just simple aspects that could be improved to refine a range of products that is already excellent. So, let’s get to the details and analyze all three solutions in depth.

H9 Flow RGB+: The Perfect Marriage of Performance and Aesthetics

Let’s start with the H9 Flow RGB+ chassis, as it represents an improvement over the already excellent H9 Flow that we reviewed a few years ago. To be completely honest, the H9 Flow RGB+ is almost an evolution: it maintains NZXT's design language consistent with the previous model but introduces numerous changes that, although they seem small, significantly improve performance and aesthetics.

We are talking about a dual-chamber case, where the main one houses all the hardware, except for the power supply which has a dedicated chamber. The width of the rear chamber provides ample space for optimal cable management, supported by routing and strategically placed ties for an extremely clean build, even where it’s not visible.

The first difference compared to the previous generation lies in the angled front fans, which are placed alongside the motherboard. The angle ensures a direct airflow towards the internal hardware that aids in dispersing heat not only from the CPU and GPU but also from critical components like the RAM and motherboard VRM.

Equally interesting is the slot for the bottom fans: unlike the previous model, we now have a proper housing for the fans that makes the case aesthetically less spartan and cleaner. This is a solution we appreciated, especially for the visual result.

However, it should be noted that in the case of the new solution, one must pay attention to compatibility. Both the lower and side compartments offer enough space for a maximum of three 140 mm fans—the total length being 420 mm. This rigidly limits the choice to fans that meet these parameters since the tolerance is almost zero. This choice was appreciated as it offers a truly clean and orderly aesthetic, giving the feeling that every element is "perfectly in its right place."

At the same time, this only holds true if fans of the correct size are used – we’ll see shortly what that means. In the case of smaller fans, especially in the lower compartment, this will showcase rather unsightly empty areas, but that’s not all. If one decides to purchase fans from other manufacturers, particular attention must be paid. For example, the Phanteks M25 features a daisy-chain connection system on one side that overhangs. Thus, one of the corners will indeed be longer than 140 mm, making installation in precise slots like those of the H9 Flow RGB+ impossible.

In our opinion, however, this is not a limitation of the case in the strict sense, but rather a rather questionable design choice by Phanteks. Not only do the fans not actually comply with the measurements indicated by the manufacturer, but the one-sided fastening proved to be extremely precarious, also due to the use of low-quality plastics.

Closing this brief aside, the recommendation is always to check the fan compatibility: for 120 mm ones, we will get enough tolerance to install practically any model, but with 140 mm, it’s necessary to calculate beforehand.

In the specific case of the RGB+ variant, the case comes complete with two 420 mm fans, specifically the F420 RGB Core, which are actually three 140 mm fans mounted on a single frame. The RGB variant includes a single F420 RGB Core, while the standard H9 Flow is supplied with just one rear F120 RGB Core fan.

On that note, we were a bit disappointed to discover that the rear panel supports only 120 mm fans. We would have preferred, for consistency with the rest of the build, the option to choose a 140 mm fan at the rear as well, but it’s not a big deal; it's truly a minor detail.

The only sour note of the case is the panels, whose mesh pattern also serves as a dust filter. We must concede that NZXT's dust filtering works excellently, and we were able to verify that in no time (they effectively filter incoming airflow). The problem lies in the fact that there are no removable dust filters. This forces a complete removal of the panels to achieve deep cleaning. Moreover, it also must be done without water, as it would come into direct contact with the metal, risking damaging the paint. In short, we would have preferred a set of removable plastic filters.

In terms of the top panel, it’s not a big issue, since airflow is outgoing. However, for the front panel, we would have certainly appreciated an easier removal solution. Indeed, it requires removing the top panel (and a screw with a screwdriver) to be taken apart. We must admit that the mesh indeed retains dust particles very well, so cleaning from the outside is effective, but in this regard, there is definitely room for improvement.

Aside from this, the case is undoubtedly one of the best panoramic options on the market. The cable management is truly accessible to everyone, the view of the hardware is nothing short of wide, and assembly is disarmingly simple, even for E-ATX motherboards like ours. This last detail is by no means trivial for a mid-tower, given that with similar solutions, you have to apply sharp bends to the cables and make them traverse really complex paths. In the case of the H9 Flow, all slots are easily accessible regardless of motherboard size for a simple and, above all, safe assembly.

Moreover, for those who don’t want to settle for just a generously sized motherboard like ours ROG X670E Extreme, NZXT has also provided a hole under the top panel for the refill of custom liquid systems. Yes, the case natively supports complex custom loops for both the CPU and GPU, even in enthusiast tier configurations.

If you're looking for a compact yet high-quality case, compatible with practically any build you have in mind, and with a panoramic view of the hardware, the H9 Flow remains one of the best proposals on the market, now with an even more refined design.

Finally, we need to discuss airflow, the true strength of NZXT’s proposal. The supplied fans, as we will see for the Kraken Elite 420, do an excellent job. The airflow is abundant and powerful, and the results are immediately visible. Compared to the previous full-tower case, but without the lower fans, the CPU temperature has dropped by 6-7 °C. For some numerical references, with a browser (18 tabs), Slack, and text processing on Word, the CPU does not reach 50 °C. Previously, it was difficult to drop below 56.

Equally valid results were achieved with the GPU, whose temperature under load decreased by about 8 °C. During the execution of Counter Strike 2 with unlocked FPS, our Radeon RX 7900 XTX was hovering around 72 °C, while with the H9 Flow RGB+ it stays around 64 °C.

In pure performance terms, there’s virtually no change—the performance offered by the hardware remains unchanged, also because in both cases we are well below the maximum operating threshold. However, a reduction in temperatures undoubtedly contributes to superior component longevity, which is why we can say that NZXT has done an excellent job here.

As can be seen from the images, however, we chose to replace the supplied fans for a simple reason: the proprietary connector. The case comes with a PWM/RGB hub dedicated to the solutions from the American manufacturer. However, this build uses lighting components connected to a hub provided with the motherboard. For this reason, we opted to reduce the amount of "cables and boxes" by keeping only the ROG hub.

Beyond our choices, we must recognize that connecting the F420 is very simple, as a single cable manages both the speed and lighting control. Therefore, if you choose an NZXT motherboard, we strongly recommend keeping the supplied fans and managing everything directly from NZXT CAM, which, as we will see later, offers simplified management and never misses a beat; it's one of the most stable and reliable suites in the gaming landscape.

Kraken Elite 420: It Could Have Been the Best

When we completed the unboxing of the Kraken Elite 420, we were quite surprised by the thickness of the radiator, clearly lower than most solutions on the market. We are indeed talking about only 27 mm, a thickness that places it among the thinnest out there.

The expectation is that with a smaller surface to dissipate heat, the cooling capabilities would be proportionately lower. Indeed, thermodynamics did not get it wrong, and the cooling capabilities turned out to be slightly lower than those of the previous Arctic Freezer III 360, which boasts an impressive 11 mm more in thickness. We must recognize, however, that the difference is really marginal, which is why it would have taken very little to outperform most AIOs available on the market.

Before we dive into the numbers, however, let's analyze the equipment. The Kraken Elite 420 is also matched with an F420 RGB Core. It features a 2.8-inch IPS circular display with a 60 Hz refresh rate and two reinforced rubber tubes wrapped in a nylon braid.

Installation is indeed very simple: after tightening the four screws necessary to fix the fans to the radiator, just install it at the top or front of the case. For this, we would have preferred a removable frame on the H9 that would have undoubtedly simplified the installation.

At this point, one only has to choose between Intel and AMD sockets. In our case, the cooler was matched with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, and thus we appreciated the offset installation of NZXT's mounting system. The plate does not sit at the center of the CPU's IHS but slightly lower to perfectly cover the die area.

Once everything is installed, it’s only necessary to connect the cooler to the motherboard. NZXT has simplified the connection through a single connector that passes through the rear chamber of the case, avoiding visible cables. This is a solution to be appreciated since that connector manages the display cable, sensors, PWM fan control, and even RGB LEDs, which then split into various cables to connect to the motherboard through the case's slots.

Specifically, the cables are: one USB 2.0 for the display, a four-pin for the pump connection, one SATA for power, and a proprietary one for connecting the fans. The four-pin cable allows connecting the system to the pump header without losing manual control over both the fans and the pump itself.

What happens, however, if we decide to install fans different from the F420 RGB Core? Simply put, we will need to connect two additional cables, one for fan control through the CPU_Fan header and another for lighting management. We thus lose some of that excellent simplification introduced by NZXT.

To be fair, it should be noted that increasingly more manufacturers are adopting proprietary systems for hardware connections: Corsair uses the Link system, while Thermaltake introduced the MagForce connection a few years ago. This is, therefore, a well-established practice among cooling system manufacturers.

That said, from an aesthetic standpoint, the cooler certainly offers a significant visual impact. The display is generous, and combined with the 60 Hz refresh rate, high resolution (640 x 640 pixels), and the typical tones of IPS panels, it gives one’s build an almost futuristic look due to its circular shape. Management takes place via NZXT CAM, and the configuration is extremely simple, with detailed customization.

But let's get to the performance, which is the only differentiator in this segment. On this front, the images speak for themselves. The Kraken 420 has slightly lower cooling capacity compared to Arctic's Liquid Freezr III. With NZXT's proposal, the CPU reached a maximum temperature of 86.4 °C while obtaining a slightly lower score in Cinebench 2024.

The reason lies primarily in what was said earlier: the radiator has a thickness of only 27 mm, and although it gains cm² compared to a 360 mm model, the area over which heat is distributed remains reduced. After all, 11 mm of height is by no means insignificant, and it is noticeable as soon as it's out of the box.

From the tests, it’s clear that the differences are negligible in performance terms: a few points in the multicore test and about 2 °C more for the package temperature, which remains below the 95 °C threshold suggested by AMD as a maximum. However, at a list price of around €350 and a form factor of 420 mm, while it may lose some aesthetic appeal, a few more millimeters in height would have surely done more justice to the generous dimensions of the radiator.

F140X Fans: Could Have Done Better

We've reached the last component offered by NZXT, the new F140X fans. This is a rather innovative model for the American manufacturer, entering the high-performance segment.

It is a solution very different from the others in the catalog: frame and fans made of liquid crystal polymer (LCP), an optimized blade design that shortens the distance from the frame to reduce turbulence and maximize airflow and static pressure, and speeds of up to 3,100 rpm for the 120 mm variant or up to 2,400 rpm for the 140 mm one—like the one under examination. The noise is the same for both at maximum speed, 41 dB, as well as the estimated lifespan of 60,000 hours.

Despite an excellent technical specification, the F140X are the solution we were least convinced by in the trio. However, this is probably a limitation of this specific variant, and here’s why.

First of all, NZXT suggests these types of fans mainly for radiators. After all, they have a theoretical static pressure far higher than the Core range and most mid-range fans on the market, so it’s reasonable to expect their performance paired with a radiator to express their maximum.

The company also offers variants of 240 mm and 360 mm with a single frame specifically-designed for radiators. However, there is no 420 mm variant that we could adapt to our Kraken Elite 420, so we chose to test three units of 140 mm, and here comes the first hiccup.

The frame of the fans is slightly thicker than standard models, and this caused the holes to not match the threads on the Kraken radiator due to a rather simple reason: the fan hit the pump block to which the cable from the radiator connects to the motherboard. So, we had to force the fans in, clearly at our own risk, and after quite an effort, we managed to install all three. In short, the fact that an NZXT accessory turned out to be substantially incompatible with a device from NZXT itself left us rather doubtful.

Moreover, the fans do not feature a daisy-chain connection or at least a chain fastening system. This means that each fan must be installed individually, and likewise, it is not possible to connect them together; instead, there will be 6 cables to route. In short, if the idea is to install a set of three fans, a hub will be essential. And no, the one supplied with the case does not have sufficient ports.

Another aspect we did not appreciate concerns the connection to the pump cable. As stated for the F420 RGB Core bundled with the cooler, NZXT adopts a proprietary connector that allows managing lighting, power, and PWM control from a single cable.

The F240X and F360X variants come with an adapter that allows connecting the fans to the aforementioned proprietary connector. In the case of single fans, the adapter is not included. Understandable, except for the fact that it cannot be purchased separately either. Thus, there is no way to combine the Kraken Elite 420 with a set of compatible fans through the NZXT connector, even if the set is produced by NZXT itself.

Once past these - too many - hurdles, there’s only the performance left to discuss. Unfortunately, despite the rather interesting data stated by NZXT, in practice, the fans did not provide tangible benefits. This was certainly impacted by the dispersion due to three separate units, rather than a set with a single frame fitting well, but based on the declared data, we would have undoubtedly expected more.

Conclusion

In conclusion: no daisy-chain connection, no adapter, poor compatibility, and performance below expectations make the F140X a product recommendable only if you are struck by its aesthetics and durability, which is guaranteed for a remarkable 5 years. However, at the cost of 45 euros per single fan, we believe that the market currently offers more interesting products.

Let it be clear, this is not a terrible product; on the contrary, it does its job quite well. Simply put, it is difficult to justify such a high cost given the average performance and installation difficulties.