Corsair H100i Elite Capellix review

Cooling 189 Page 13 of 13 Published by

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Final words and conclusion

Final words and conclusion

You know what, considering we tested the smallest 240mm kit, this is really not bad, eh? While the default clocked performance showed more traditional results, it was the opposite when we started to tweak. The kit really showed it has a lot of extra capacity available. For the new Elite Capellix versions, Corsair focused on cable management, aesthetic, and this RGB, whilst offering more or less similar cooling performance levels as its predecessors. It is an excellent product that comes with plenty of cooling capacity, even for this smaller rad 240mm version as tested. With that box ticked away, you need to move onwards towards aesthetics and noise levels. The including of ML120 RGB fans are nice. People in general, however, do not understand ML fans. They make heaps of noise at full voltage 12v, and thus people frown upon them. However, they are not designed to run at 12v; we're talking low RPM airflow at say 3 volts say 500 RPM, the airflow of these fans is higher than what you normally see. These fans move proper amounts of air at low RPM, get it? And since they can do that at low RPM, the kit offers lower acoustics with more airflow. That, in a nutshell, is what the ML fans are all about. They are also PWM compatible and have 8 addressable LEDs. If you combine that with iCUE that allows you to control all in software, you realize that you just purchased an incredibly flexible solution with really nice looks. Just pop the unit in, set it in balanced mode. This option offers proper performance at acoustic levels you can hardly hear (if you can hear it at all). 


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Magnetic Levitation equals little to no friction, and at low RPM, you gain pretty terrific airflow whilst hardly making noise. That shows in the DBa measurements as this kit easily was one of the most silent ones we have ever tested. 

Aesthetics & Design

The overall looks are very nice; that, however, is a subjective statement, of course. You will get that all-black design with the subtle shades of grey, makes it an appealing product to the eyes. New is the chrome element and LED unit on the cooling block, totally programmable. Also new are the 33 RGB LEDs that can be addressed individually, allowing some awe-inspiring effects. It's the very same with the ML120 RGB fans; each fan has 24 addressable RGB LEDs. The LED system can be as loud or subtle as you want it to be, as hey everything and anything can be configured to your preference. If you do not appreciate the RGB hype, don't activate or just set a subtle single static color, and your problem is solved. Actually, I do so myself, I set a single static subtle white, and that's it. While we're on that topic, the added benefit if you use iCUE is that you not only change the color animation of the Corsair logo embedded into the cooling block, you can match up any RGB color. We can imagine that with an ASUS ROG themed motherboard, you'd change that to red, perhaps orange or orange with an accompanying Gigabyte Aorus motherboard and perhaps white with an MSI Titanium series motherboard. As subtle as that LED is, it really does bring a 'finished' feel to your final PC build and color theme. Remember, iCUE can sync up all your Corsair components, and the software has made huge steps ever since it's the initial release. I am not saying it's perfect but has become something really good.   

Installation

Much like the other models, the kit was straightforward to install with its mounting system. The unit is factory-filled with coolant in a closed loop. Just install the backplate, the standoff-screws, position the cooler, and secure it. The black design will make this kit look great on any PC. It simply is a good alternative to heat-pipe coolers with the added benefits of being fairly quiet whilst offering very nice looks. No 'advanced' skills are required other than the need for ten minutes to install the kit. 

Pricing

So here's where things take a different turn, the Corsair H100i ELITE CAPELLIX got introduced at a price of roughly 159 USD. We expect roughly similar prices in the EU, but that depends on the VAT in your country and the USD to EURO differential. The price premium really is due to the ML120 RGB fans and the included Controller.




Conclusion

We can be short about it; for a 240mm kit, we've been impressed. Not so much the default performance, but moreover the additional cooling capacity. Once we overclocked the processor, this cute little setup easily dealt with that additional heat. The looks are dazzling, and the performance just good. For sheer silence, our advice configure the fans and pump in silent mode and never look back. You'll love it. At balanced mode, the kit still is silent, albeit the pump could be heard slightly there.


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Fantastic is the further level of customization of RPM behavior. When you create a new profile (+) in the LCS TAB, you can create a custom profile and you could also run your fans at 500 rpm, fixed or create a delta all by yourself (screenshot above). Here you can also have the LCS base that delta on your processor's package temp, lovely. Also, let me make clear that the fans (at default configuration) on this kit spin-ups slowly, and gradually, Corsair is monitoring the LCS coolant temperature and creates their RPM delta's based on that. It can take 10~15 minutes before that happens. We know that the inclusion of RGB ML fans and the Fan/RGB commander unit adds to that price significantly; I do like the inclusion of the Commander though, just for the simple reason its more pretty on the eyes cable routing wise; as the option to add more fans or RGB from that single hub. In conclusion, cooling performance is good; the low acoustics are fabulous, but you need to select the silent mode for that or configure manually with a profile; the aesthetics good, ease of installation good, and the Cappellix LEDs are just sheer fun as well. Normally this kit would get a better recommendation award, but pricing is refraining from doing that. But it surely is a recommended LCS cooler that you'll enjoy very much.

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