Corsair H100i GTX review - Introduction

Taking AIO Liquid cooling to the GTX performance level

We test and review the all new Corsair Hydro Series H100i GTX Series Liquid cooler. An all-in-one liquid CPU cooler for cases with 240mm radiator mounts. This updated revision CPU cooler is compatible with Corsair's LINK software. This allows you to program, customize and monitor this all-in-one liquid cooling solution for your processor. Armed with two SP120L PWM fans and a nice 240mm radiator the performance should be really good, and with Corsair's LINK built in, you can monitor temperatures, adjust cooling performance and customize LED lighting directly from your desktop.

You know, in the world of CPU coolers nothing ever stops developing. These days you can pick a hundred different heatpipe based coolers, where many are shaped, formed and priced the same. The better heatpipe based coolers are good though. Next in line are LCS systems (liquid cooling), the entry level products are affordable, easy to install pre-fab liquid cooling kits. We've seen and tested many of them as Corsair, Asetek, CoolIT and so on all have interesting kits.

The bigger problem is cooling performance. The gear behind these kits are good yet the performance is often battling a small included 120mm radiator with thin tubing and lacking coolant levels due to missing reservoirs. To compensate FAN RPM goes up making a good looking product noisy again. With that in mind Corsair started to develop a new H series (for Hydro) coolers.

The product we test in specific is the Corsair H100i GTX, an updated design with new cooling block and regulated control for pump and fans. Next to that what's interesting is that this product is based on a 240mm radiator which gives it quite a bit of cooling surface area. It is a cooler series that is easy on the eyes and comes with a relatively tool free installation. Next to some very good performance, the Corsair H100i GTX is compatible with Corsair's LINK software. You hook up the LCS unit towards a USB port and then the software allows you to program, customize and monitor this easy to install Liquid Cooling solution. And hey within the new RGB concept, the logo at the top of the water-block can be configured to a color of your preference.

So without further ado, let's have a peek at the Hydro Series Corsair H100i GTX and then head onwards into the review.