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Corsair - H80i and H100i: Redefine High-End CPU Cooling

2/7/2013 11:32:38 AM

Corsair’s upgraded coolers redefine high-end CPU cooling

[+] Liquid gold: Outstanding cooling; low noise; easy installation; great software control

[-] Liquidation: A bit pricey

Corsair H80i

How much?

·         Price: $156

·         Manufacturer: ww.corsair.com

Corsair H80i

Corsair H80i

In detail

·         Compatibility Intel: LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA2011, LGA1366

·         AMD: Socket FM1, FM2, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2

·         Weight: 1.05kg [with fans]

·         Size [mm]: 120 x 38 x 152 [W x D x H] [radiator]

·         Fan: 2 x 120mm

·         Stated noise: 37.68dBA

Corsair H100i

How much?

·         Price: $137

·         Manufacturer: ww.corsair.com

 

Corsair H100i

Corsair H100i

In detail

·         Compatibility Intel: LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA2011, LGA1366

·         AMD: Socket FM1, FM2, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2

·         Weight 1.01kg [with fans]

·         Size [mm] 120 x 27 x 275 [W x D x H] [radiator]

·         Fan 2 x 120mm

·         Stated noise 37.68dBA

We’ll waste no time and H100i are both excellent coolers, thanks to a host of sensible upgrade decisions from Corsair. From a basic design standpoint, they’re essentially the same pump, radiator and dual fan combo as the H80 and H100 that they respectively replace, but with some improvements.

The build quality is superb, with a solid baseplate block, and the new rubber tubing is sturdy but equally flexible. The fans have also been upgraded, and the pair of black and grey fans you’ll find in each box are now based on Corsair’s new, quieter SP – 120 models.

Corsair’s Link software is also a good selling point. Thanks to a USB header connection, you can monitor system temperatures, fully and independently control fan speeds and even create your own cooling curves. You can even alter the colors of the RGB LED on the new CPU block, which has an attractive glossy finish.

Magnetic mounting plates makes installation even easier than before, and thermal paste is already applied. The AMD plate hooks and tightens onto the standard retention bracket, while Intel sockets [other than LGA2011] require a backplate with standoff screws, onto which the mounting plate is fastened with four screws. Finally, mounting the radiator of either cooler is as simple as installing a fan or two.

Cooling

We tested the two coolers at three pre-set fan profiles: Maximum, Balanced and Quiet. On Maximum, they kick up a hefty racket, but Balanced provides an immediate and pleasing reduction in noise output, and the Quiet profile is appropriately named too.

With a delta T of 310C, the H100i on Maximum knocked 50C from the previous record of 360C in our LGA1155 rig. Even better, on Quiet, it kept our CPU cooled to a delta T of 340C – 20C lower than both the H80 and H100 on full speed, which is phenomenal.

The H80i managed 340C on Maximum here, another great result, and beat the H80 on comparable speed settings each time too. On Quiet, its delta T of 400C is almost on a par with many low-noise air cookers too.

Cooling improvements in our LGA2011 rig were less drastic but nevertheless impressive. The H100i took up to 20C off the comparable H100 results at each speed, and its Maximum delta T of 440C gave it the best result we’re seen again. Given how quiet it is in Quiet mode, no other cooler even comes close to its noise vs performance ratio.

Meanwhile, the H 80i matched or trumped the H80 in each test too. It does begin to struggle with this toasty system on its Quiet profile, but its delta T of 560C here is still better than most air coolers, especially for its low noise level.

The H100i put in an outstanding performance yet again in our AMD rig too, taking a whopping 60C from the previous best delta T we’ve seen on Maximum. Likewise, the H80i shed between 40C and 70C of the delta T result the H80 at all three speeds. Although its Quiet result of 530C was much improved over the louder H80, it still wasn’t enough to match premium air coolers such as the Thermaltake Frio Extreme or Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2.

Corsair recommends installing the coolers as intakes, but we tested the H80i as an exhaust, and the delta T increased by only 10C compared to an intake.

Conclusion

Both the H80i and H100i have been given noticeable improvements in terms of cooling, noise and features and for just $8 and $15 respectively over the older models. They’re both excellent coolers, and would make a valuable addition to any rig that isn’t already water-cooled.

Both coolers feature a solid copper baseplate

The H80i offers a better bang per buck ratio than the h100i for LGA1155 systems, but in hot-running LGA2011 and AMD AM3+ systems, the H100i has the advantage, particularly at lower noise levels, and is therefore worth the extra investment if you have a case that can accommodate it. If not, however, the H80i is still a powerful and worthwhile choice.

With the USB header connection, you can monitor temperatures, control fan speeds and create your own cooling curves

With the USB header connection, you can monitor temperatures, control fan speeds and create your own cooling curves

Corsair H80i

§  Scores: LGa1155

§  Cooling: 38/40

§  Design: 27/30

§  Value: 25/30

§  Fitting: Good

§  Scores: LGa2011

§  Cooling: 35/40

§  Design: 29/30

§  Value: 27/30

§  Fitting: Good

§  Scores: Socket AM3+

§  Cooling: 37/40

§  Design: 28/30

§  Value: 25/30

§  Fitting: Good

 

Corsair H100i

§  Scores: LGa1155

§  Cooling: 39/40

§  Design: 26/30

§  Value: 21/30

§  Fitting: Good

§  Scores: LGa2011

§  Cooling: 39/40

§  Design: 28/30

§  Value: 26/30

§  Fitting: Good

§  Scores: Socket AM3+

§  Cooling: 39/40

§  Design: 27/30

§  Value: 25/30

§  Fitting: Good

 

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