Corsair H100i Elite Overview: Extremely Silent Efficiency
Corsair began out in 1994 promoting L2 cache modules for OEMs. After Intel built-in the L2 cache into the Pentium Professional CPU lineup, it pivoted to DRAM. As of late the corporate sells all kinds of parts and peripherals, just like the Corsair 5000X case and CX750M Energy Provide. However cooling has additionally been a staple of the corporate’s lineup for a very long time, with the Corsair iCUE H100i Elite 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler being the newest fashion to land on our take a look at bench. Can it tame Intel’s 12900K and earn a place on our absolute best AIO coolers checklist? We’ll have to place it thru checking out to determine. However first listed here are the specs, dired from Corsair.
Specs for the Corsair H100i Elite
| Cooler | Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Elite |
| MSRP | $139 USD |
| Radiator Dimensions | 277 x 120 x 27mm |
| Web Weight | 0.91 kilos |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel Socket LGA 115X / 1200 / 1366/ 1700 / 2011 / 2066 |
| AMD AM4 / AM5 / sTRX4 / sTR4 | |
| Rated Noise Degree | As much as 31.5 dBa |
| CPU Block | Copper |
Packing and Incorporated Contents
Like most present mid-sized AIOs, Corsair’s H100i Elite ships in a medium-sized field with molded cardboard and comfortable plastic coverings of the person portions for defense.
Incorporated with the package deal are the next:
- CPU Block with pre-applied thermal paste + Radiator
- 2x AF ELITE FDB PWM 120mm Lovers
- Mounts for all fashionable CPU sockets, together with LGA1700, TR4, and AM4/AM5 motherboards
- USB-C Wiring Harness
- Guaranty Leaflet
Cooler Set up
Putting in the H100i Elite used to be easy sufficient. To start out, you’ll first need to safe the radiator in your case by way of the supplied screws. Subsequent, press the backplate in opposition to the motherboard and safe it the use of stand-offs.
You gained’t wish to concern about thermal paste, as it’s pre-applied to the CPU block. Press the CPU block in opposition to the standoffs, after which use the incorporated thumb screws to safe it.
What is other than different coolers?
- Tool Suite with in-depth customization choices
The iCue tool suite is a little bit cumbersome, with a 1GB obtain dimension (3.5GB after set up), however has plenty of in-depth customization choices to be had. 3 preset noise profiles are to be had, and when customizing noise ranges you’ll exchange what sensor it responds to – it defaults to the coolant temperature, however you’ll set it to the CPU Package deal temperature or plenty of different sensors.
Along with fan and noise profile controls, there are naturally plenty of ARGB lights presets, in addition to the facility to independently keep an eye on each and every LED.
A novel facet of Corsair’s tool is the facility to set “Indicators” which will set fanatics to 100%, cause all RGB LEDs, close down the pc, and even run a program when the CPU temperature hits your required worth.
- Corsair AF Elite FDB PWM 120mm Lovers
There’s extra to a liquid cooler than simply the radiator and pump. The fanatics incorporated have an important affect on cooling and function. Incorporated with the H100i Elite are two AF Elite FDB fanatics, that have a cast black colour and run very quietly.
| Type | AF Elite FDB |
| Dimensions | 120 x 120 x 25 mm |
| Fan Pace | 400 – 1850 RPM±10% |
| Air Drift | 10.9 – 59.1 CFM |
| Air Power | 0.09 – 1.93 mm H2O |
| Noise Degree | As much as 32.9 dB(A) |
| Lighting fixtures | None |
Trying out Configuration
| Cooler | Corsair iCUE H100i Elite 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler |
| MSRP | $139.99 USD (Base Type) $259.99 USD (LCD Type) |
| Comparability Coolers Examined | BeQuiet Natural Loop 2 FX, 360mm AIO |
| Cooler Grasp Grasp Liquid PL360 Flux 360mm AIO | |
| Cougar Poseidon GT 360, 360m AIO | |
| Corsair iCUE H100i Elite 240mm AIO | |
| DeepCool AK500 Air Cooler | |
| DeepCool LS520, 240mm AIO” | |
| CPU | Intel i9-12900K |
| Motherboard | MSI Zz690 A-Professional DDR4 |
| Case | BeQuiet! Silent Base 802 Window |
| PSU | DeepCool PQ1000M |
‘ll be checking out Corsair’s iCUE H100i Elite with Intel’s Core i9-12900K. Because of the greater thermal density of the Intel 7 production procedure, in addition to adjustments to core and element layouts, Alder Lake CPUs are harder to chill than earlier technology CPUs in essentially the most heat-intensive of workloads.
Because of this coolers that stored earlier technology merchandise just like the i9-10900K great and funky now and again combat to stay Intel’s i9-12900K beneath Tj max–the max temperature earlier than the CPU begins to throttle. Many coolers I’ve examined have didn’t stay the i9-12900K beneath TJ max when energy limits are got rid of in workloads like Cinebench and OCCT.
Be aware there are lots of components rather then the CPU cooler that may affect your cooling efficiency. A machine’s motherboard can particularly affect this, as there are motherboards available on the market with CPU sockets that are not as much as Intel’s spec, which will purpose warping or deficient touch with the CPU. The case you utilize may even affect cooling effects.
With Alder Lake’s cooling calls for in thoughts, I will be score CPU Coolers in 3 other tiers.
Tier 1: Those coolers are in a position to stay the i9-12900K under TJ max in maximum lots, without a energy limits enforced. I be expecting best the most productive liquid coolers to fulfill this usual.
Tier 2: Those coolers are in a position to stay the i9-12900K beneath the TJ max threshold with CPU energy limits of 200W enforced. I be expecting maximum liquid coolers and the most productive air coolers to fulfill this usual.
Tier 3: Those coolers are in a position to stay the i9-12900K beneath TJ max with CPU energy limits of 140W enforced.
Trying out Method
Cooler Grasp’s iCUE tool has plenty of presets that you’ll make a choice, which will affect noise ranges and total cooling efficiency. All through those exams, I ran the cooler the use of the “Balanced” profile, which is the default environment in Corsair’s iCUE tool.
To check the bounds of a cooler’s thermal dissipation functions, I run two number one rigidity exams: Cinebench and OCCT each and every for 10 mins. Whilst this can be a brief period of time, it is enough to push maximum coolers – air and liquid – to their limits.
Whilst rigidity checking out in Cinebench, I run each with energy limits got rid of and with an enforced 200W CPU energy restrict. On this take a look at setup the use of MSI’s Z690 A Professional DDR4 Motherboard and Be Quiet’s Silent Base 802 Laptop Case, best the most productive coolers are in a position to move Cinebench checking out when energy limits are got rid of.
I don’t take a look at OCCT with out energy limits as a result of making an attempt to take action ends up in CPU package deal energy intake leaping to over 270W and straight away throttling with even the most productive AIO coolers. As an alternative, I take a look at at 200W to present coolers a possibility at passing. I additionally come with 140W and 95W effects to present information related to a lower-end CPU, comparable to AMD’s Ryzen 5600x or Intel’s i5-12400.
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