Corsair H100i gets tested and a review [Guru3D.com]

Hilbert Hagedoorn

In this article we test and review the newly revised Corsair H100i, the liquid cooler is more compatible with Corsair's LINK software. This allows you to program, customize and monitor this H100i Liq...

Corsair H100i gets tested and a review

sverek · 11-23-2012, 08:47 | posts: 1,036 | Location: Japan, Soka

Thanks for review!

very tempting kit, would love to get it for next rig.

FoXkill · 11-23-2012, 11:23 | posts: 7 | Location: South Africa

I wonder weather using the 3770K is the best choice, as it is well documented that the heat problems are because of poor heat transfer from the silicon die to the IHS. Therefore any cooler will yield less than optimal results, because its not at fault for the poor temps...

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

How does it compare to the NH-D14?

Hilbert Hagedoorn · 11-23-2012, 11:59 | posts: 16,963 | Location: Guru3D testlab

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoXkill

I wonder weather using the 3770K is the best choice, as it is well documented that the heat problems are because of poor heat transfer from the silicon die to the IHS. Therefore any cooler will yield less than optimal results, because its not at fault for the poor temps...

You know prior to testing I've been battling that very same question. But the fact remains that Ivy Bridge is what people buy -- and as such you want to know how these coolers perform on it.

We could use a Core i7 2600K instead, but these already are EOL. We could also use a 1000 EUR 6-core Core i7 3960X processor but again ... how many people do actually buy these processors ?

The vast majority of our readers will purchase the Core i7 37x0 series -- so this is what most of our readers are really interested in hence we took the top 4-core SKU -- it's just that Intel made things very complicated with their poor heat transfer design.

Dazz · 11-23-2012, 12:11 | posts: 351 | Location: UK

Think you could test this on a bulldozer processor, i am curious since there are so few reviews out there testing hetsinks and water cooling on such processors. I have seen people get 5GHz overclocking on them with the H100. However the i100 reviews are few and far between.

GeniusPr0 · 11-23-2012, 12:42 | posts: 318 | Location: Ontario, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilbert Hagedoorn

You know prior to testing I've been battling that very same question. But the fact remains that Ivy Bridge is what people buy -- and as such you want to know how these coolers perform on it.

We could use a Core i7 2600K instead, but these already are EOL. We could also use a 1000 EUR 6-core Core i7 3960X processor but again ... how many people do actually buy these processors ?

The vast majority of our readers will purchase the Core i7 37x0 series -- so this is what most of our readers are really interested in hence we took the top 4-core SKU -- it's just that Intel made things very complicated with their poor heat transfer design.

IB also naturally just runs hotter. It's not JUST the TIM.

And btw, my 3770K sucks and needs 1.3v+ for 4.6Ghz.

PinchedNerve · 11-23-2012, 12:58 | posts: 49 | Location: Florida

I have the H100 & a 3770k. My temps were slightly higher vs. your baseline running prime 95 with my Mobo's default turbo mode hitting 4.1 ghz & the middle fan mode running. I would guess the middle fan mode is balanced. I did hear some fans speed up but I didn't investigate which fans sped up so I don't know if it was the radiator fans or not.

Apparently I bought this right before the H100i was released. Is the major difference between the H100 & H100i a smarter fan controller & how the fans are manually adjusted?

IPlayNaked · 11-23-2012, 13:14 | posts: 6,559

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinchedNerve

I have the H100 & a 3770k. My temps were slightly higher vs. your baseline running prime 95 with my Mobo's default turbo mode hitting 4.1 ghz & the middle fan mode running. I would guess the middle fan mode is balanced. I did hear some fans speed up but I didn't investigate which fans sped up so I don't know if it was the radiator fans or not.

Apparently I bought this right before the H100i was released. Is the major difference between the H100 & H100i a smarter fan controller & how the fans are manually adjusted?

I think the biggest difference is the tubing. The new tubing is more flexible.

SLI-756 · 11-23-2012, 13:28 | posts: 3,126 | Location: Sunny Scotland

Throw a couple of noctua f 12s on this coupled with some of the best TIM money can buy and you'd see up to a -5C load temp difference i'd imagine, or around -3 when highly OCed.

Mraz · 11-23-2012, 13:28 | posts: 458 | Location: Croatia

Will there be a h80i review, cuz I'm really wondering would it be worth upgrading from H80 to H80i?

cowie · 11-23-2012, 13:41 | posts: 10,873 | Location: new jersey

I hope they fixed the h100i so the block top/cover does not fall off, it breaks the plastic sides off so easy on the h100.

hallryu · 11-23-2012, 17:35 | posts: 10,842 | Location: England

Not had time to read the whole thing yet, how does it compare to the old H100?

Taint3dBulge · 11-23-2012, 18:04 | posts: 871 | Location: South Dakota

Wow great review.. Im going to be getting a new water cooler soon, but not sure if I want this, or the Thermaltake CLW0217 Water 2.0 Extreme...

Is there ever going to be a review on the Thermaltake?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106190

TheSarge · 11-23-2012, 22:30 | posts: 609 | Location: The Frozen North.

Too bad it's not a quad fan (push-pull) configuration. That would make it a must-have for me.

hallryu · 11-23-2012, 22:34 | posts: 10,842 | Location: England

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSarge

Too bad it's not a quad fan (push-pull) configuration. That would make it a must-have for me.

Just put two more fans on it. That's what I did with the H100.

aayman_farzand · 11-23-2012, 23:55 | posts: 718

Good review.

Noticed a small grammatical error here:

"After installing free to download LINK software you may monitoring efficiency, temperatures, control the fan RPM a large range of variables really."

Athlonite · 11-25-2012, 14:00 | posts: 776 | Location: Hawkes Bay

this little bit in the review made me ROFL lots

"We now see Core i7 3770K @ 4600 GHz with 1.3 volts"

Really that would have to be the all time world record for the next twenty or so years wouldn't it I mean when is the last time you saw a CPU doing 4.6THz (yes that's TeraHertz) it just make the mind boggle at what you get upto during a review Hilbert it truly does

Athlonite · 11-25-2012, 14:04 | posts: 776 | Location: Hawkes Bay

oh and Nice review but I'm with Dazz can we see some results for AMD CPU's please either of the 81xx/83xx CPU's will do

sykozis · 11-25-2012, 15:30 | posts: 13,493 | Location: US East Coast

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoXkill

I wonder weather using the 3770K is the best choice, as it is well documented that the heat problems are because of poor heat transfer from the silicon die to the IHS. Therefore any cooler will yield less than optimal results, because its not at fault for the poor temps...

Yes, 3770K is the best option in this case. Heat will move more quickly to a cooler surface so, if it can keep the temperature of a 3770K under control, it will be as or more effective on other processors that don't have the same thermal issues.

Wanny · 11-25-2012, 15:36 | posts: 6,941 | Location: Canada, Quebec

I will probably grab this.