How to Put a GIF on Your NZXT Kraken Screen

Short answer: Open NZXT CAM, go to the Lighting tab and expand the LCD Display panel for your Kraken. Set the mode to Image/GIF, then click Upload to pick a file from your PC or Browse GIFs to search Tenor. GIF, PNG and JPG all work. Files of 60MiB and under are recommended.

The screen is the first thing people notice on a Kraken, so it's worth putting something on it you like looking at. Here's how to set it up and how to make your image fit the screen properly.

Which Kraken coolers have a screen?

Every Kraken Elite and Kraken Plus has one. The Kraken Core and Kraken 120 don't. Size and shape depend on the model, which matters when you pick an image.

How to put a GIF on your Kraken screen

1. Open NZXT CAM and select the Lighting tab.
2. Find your Kraken and click the LCD Display panel to expand it.
3. Set the display mode dropdown to Image/GIF.
4. Click Upload to choose a GIF, PNG or JPG saved on your PC. Or click Browse GIFs to search Tenor without leaving CAM.
5. Check the preview in the panel. Anything you've used before stays under Previous Images, so you can switch back without uploading again. View Image Library opens the full list.

CAM recommends keeping files to 60MiB and under, since some larger files are too big for it to compress for the screen.

Smoother GIFs on the Kraken Elite

The current Kraken Elite adds a Stream from CAM option under the upload buttons. Tick it for high frame rate GIFs. CAM uses some extra system resources to do it, so leave it off for simple or slow animations.

For reference, its 2.72-inch IPS screen runs at 640x640 and 60 Hz.

Why does my GIF look cropped?

Most GIFs are rectangles and neither Kraken screen is. The Kraken Elite screen is a circle, so the corners of a square image get cut off. The Kraken Plus has a smaller 1.54" square screen. Images and effects are cropped to fit it.

For the cleanest result, start with a square image and keep the subject in the middle. Text near the edges is the first thing to disappear on a round screen. If you're making your own artwork for a Kraken Elite, 640x640 matches the screen exactly.

Can I show my temps and a GIF at the same time?

Yes. Infographic + GIF puts a live reading on top of your image. The Kraken Elite can show one, two or three readings this way. The Kraken Plus shows one. On the Kraken Plus you can choose from CPU temperature, clock speed and load, the same three for your GPU, plus liquid temperature.

What else can the screen show?

The Kraken Plus clock comes as a radial face or a 4-digit display in 12 or 24 hour time. It also has a Carousel mode that cycles through up to five displays at an interval you set.

How to rotate the Kraken screen

If your image sits at an angle, that comes down to how the pump is mounted. Fix it in CAM rather than remounting the cooler.

1. Expand the LCD Display panel in the Lighting tab.
2. Click Rotate Display in the top-right corner of the panel.
3. Turn the preview until the tubes on screen match how your cooler is installed.
4. Click Save.

Circular screens turn in 30-degree steps. Square screens turn in 90-degree steps.

Frequently asked questions

Does my GIF keep playing if I close CAM?

No. Without CAM running the Kraken drops into default mode and the screen shows liquid temperature. Your GIF comes back when CAM starts again. More in do you need NZXT CAM running.

Do I need to make my own GIF?

No. Browse GIFs searches Tenor from inside CAM, so you can pick one without downloading anything first.

Can I put a GIF on a Kraken Core?

No. The Kraken Core has no screen and doesn't connect to CAM. If a display is what you're after, the Kraken Plus and Kraken Elite both have one. Our guide to Kraken Elite, Plus and Core lays out the differences.

Why can't I see the LCD Display panel in CAM?

CAM probably isn't detecting your cooler. Work through what to do when NZXT CAM isn't detecting your device, starting with whether Windows can see it.

Will a GIF slow my PC down?

Stream from CAM on the Kraken Elite is the setting to watch. CAM notes that it uses additional system resources, so only turn it on for GIFs that need the higher frame rate.

The screen is upside down after I installed the cooler. Is that a problem?

No. It just reflects which way the pump went on. Use Rotate Display to set it right. If you're still mid-build, our guide to installing an AIO liquid cooler covers the rest of the setup.

Need a hand?

If your screen is blank or won't change modes, our support team can help you work out whether it's a setting or the hardware. Reach them at NZXT Support.