Introduction and First Impressions
We look at the latest version of the venerable H100 AiO CPU cooler
Corsair’s Hydro Series H100 all-in-one liquid cooler has been a mainstay on the market for years now, with iterative updates to add features such as software integration. With this new H100i PRO, now joining the ranks of the existing H115i PRO and H150i PRO, the venerable cooler has again been revised, and this time RGB lighting is featured – though a subtle integration.
“The CORSAIR Hydro Series H100i PRO is an all-in-one RGB liquid CPU cooler with a 240mm radiator built for low-noise cooling performance and bold styling with an RGB LED pump head. Two included 120mm ML Series magnetic levitation PWM fans provide great airflow and static pressure, with a wide PWM speed control range between 400 RPM and 2,400 RPM.
Powerful CORSAIR iCUE software lets you customize RGB lighting, monitor temperatures and precisely adjust fan speeds, or stop fans entirely with the H100i’s Zero RPM fan mode. Easy to install and compatible with most major CPU sockets, the H100i makes it easy to cool your system in silence and style.”
The RGB lighting effect can be adjusted to any color using the iCUE software
Specifications from Corsair:
- Coldplate Material: Copper
- Tubing Material: Low permeation with black sleeving
- Radiator Material: Aluminum
- Radiator Size: 276mm x 120mm x 27mm
- Fan(s) included: 2x ML Series 120mm PWM Fans
- Fan Max Speed: 2400 RPM
- Fan Airflow: 75 CFM
- Fan Static Pressure: 4.2 mm-H2O
- Fan Noise Level: 37 dB(A)
Pricing and Availability:
- Corsair Hydro Series H100i PRO: $119.99, Amazon.com
First Impressions
First a quick look at packaging:
The last 240 mm Corsair cooler I reviewed was the H100i GTX way back in 2015, and in appearance and feel there are noticeable differences with the new H100i PRO.
Most obvious among these changes is the new water block/pump assembly design, which features RGB lighting effects.
The cooler offers pre-applied thermal paste behind a protective plastic guard
The fans are also different and feature magnetic levitation bearings, and there is a new zero-RPM fan mode to eliminate fan noise at low CPU temps.
The hoses are more pliable – a welcome change as the H100i GTX hosed were very stiff and at times frustrating to install in cramped cases, and the radiator has a simplified frame and single printed logo.
The cables attached to the pump assembly include a SATA power connector, 3-pin CPU fan cable, and dual 4-pin PWM Y-cable for the included 120 mm fans.
Looking over the included hardware we see that the retention system is unchanged, and you will still be using the familiar black plastic rear bracket for Intel LGA 115x processors, though the AMD bracket has a new design and supports Ryzen out of the box (with ThreadRipper requiring an optional bracket accessory from Corsair).
On the next page we’ll see how the cooler performed and check out the RGB lighting and software control.
| Review Terms and Disclosure All Information as of the Date of Publication |
|
|---|---|
| How product was obtained: | The product is on loan from Corsair for the purpose of this review. |
| What happens to the product after review: | The product remains the property of Corsair but is on extended loan for future testing and product comparisons. |
| Company involvement: | Corsair had no control over the content of the review and was not consulted prior to publication. |
| PC Perspective Compensation: | Neither PC Perspective nor any of its staff were paid or compensated in any way by XX for this review. |
| Advertising Disclosure: | Corsair has purchased advertising at PC Perspective during the past twelve months. |
| Affiliate links: | This article contains affiliate links to online retailers. PC Perspective may receive compensation for purchases through those links. |
| Consulting Disclosure: | Corsair is not a current client of Shrout Research for products or services related to this review. |
anyone know of a source for
anyone know of a source for failure rate of the various aio’s?
i am using a cooler master aio in my lian li pc-q10 mini itx build for my 2700x, which goes against my rule of not fucking with these things when noctua’s perform almost as good, but i broke my rule
i could have stuck the excellent wraith that came with the 2700x, but wanted to see if the aio could squeeze more performance out of the cpu without oc’ing
Why aren’t ambient temps
Why aren’t ambient temps mentioned anywhere in the review? Doing so would add helpful context in the temperature charts.
That has been done, for,
That has been done, for, as indicated on the chart, all temps are above ambient.
Room temps ranged from 26.3 to 26.5 C during testing. For example: at the 'extreme' setting under load the H100i PRO temp was recorded at 73 C, with ambient air at the time of the reading at 26.5 C, for a delta 46.5 C (the charted temp).
I don’t believe that using
I don’t believe that using “above ambient” figures is misleading and maybe it’s just me but I’d like to know the actual recorded temperature. I don’t mind doing some quick math in my head.
I’m confused why the H100i
I’m confused why the H100i Pro gets a Gold Award when the results here show D14 winning in temps and noise.
Not every cooler will be the
Not every cooler will be the NH-D14, which has been the benchmark for a long time. I have never found AiO liquid coolers to be more effective than a very large air cooler like the NH-D14, but not every system can integrate such a cooler, while even some very small enclosures will support a 240mm AiO. As to noise, the fact that the H100i PRO in 'quiet' mode even gets close to (and it nearly ties) the sound output level of the NH-D14 is pretty amazing – certainly the best sound result from any AiO I've tested.
Various things are considered when evaluating an individual product, which – with some consideration to the market, obviously – is done on the reviewed product's own merit. A well designed, well built product, which does not reach the level of product X, is nonetheless good – though obviously not the 'best'. There are those who think price is the most important consideration, and will forever label the Hyper 212 EVO as king among CPU coolers for this reason.
Ultimately any award, which is a statement about the product, can be rebutted. But in my experience no AiO outside of the big and expensive units from the liquid cooling specialists like EKWB and Alphacool will beat the D14 – at least not without significant fan and pump noise.
There is a dearth of
There is a dearth of comparisons between AIO and air, but I think a x62 can beat or match a D15 considering noise and performance. I also believe x62 will beat the H100i Pro.
Well that is, until Noctua comes out with a new cooler that improves upon the D15.
I used Arctic Silver 5 on my
I used Arctic Silver 5 on my h100i Pro for my 2700x and get 30C range for idle with base clocks sitting at 4ghz, this is also before the paste has cured.