Date: October 12, 2011
We recently witnessed first hand the amount of performance, features and customizability that the CoolIT and Corsair partnership could bring to the table with their all new H80 liquid CPU cooler. With very little room left for improvement on their single fan radiator design, it came as no surprise that – unlike the H70 before it - the H80 wasn't actually meant to be Corsair's flagship model. That's where the H100 Extreme Performance CPU cooler comes into the equation.
Instead of trying for minor modifications to distinguish the High Performance branded H80 from the Extreme Performance H100, Corsair took a different approach and went straight for the brute force method of improving cooling potential. This was done by using a large dual height (240mm) radiator to exponentially improve upon heat dissipation. This all by itself should put the H100 into an entirely different performance (and price) bracket.
Naturally, by doubling radiator's length in the search for even more performance means that Corsair has somewhat moved away from the easy to install mantra that has graced past all in one coolers. This thing does indeed take up a ton of room and will not fit into some cases but will enthusiasts be able to overlook this and focus upon its performance? We certainly think so. On the flip side of that coin, first time water cooling buyers may also be daunted by the H100's price of about $110 but if it lives up to expectations, this could still be a less expensive option than going with a custom loop. So with that being said, let's see if the new H100 can hit all the right points and usher in a new era for all in one water cooling solutions.
Specifications
With only some minor differences, the accessories which accompany the H100 are the same as the H80. You get all the components for mounting the H100 on AMD and Intel sockets motherboards; and all components are of the same high quality. Even the included two fans are the same as the H80’s fans.
Moving on to the H100 itself, this device may be physically larger than any other Hydro series model, it still consists of the same four main parts: the radiator, the water block/pump combination block, the tubing which connects the two together and the fans.
Unlike the H80, the H100 is a dual bay 240mm unit which trades compatibility for increased performance. This is why this model is listed as an “Extreme Performance” model, unlike the H80 which is listed as merely a “High Performance” model. The only potential negative to this is it will have higher space requirements and lessened compatibility with certain enclosures. Unlike the H80 which simply needs your case to use a standard 120mm fan exhaust, the H100 requires your case come equipped with two 120mm fan exhaust ports. In practical terms this means you will mount the H100 to the top two 120mm exhaust fan locations in your enclosure, rather than the rear exhaust fan location. If your case only has one top exhaust – or worse still does not come with any top exhausts – you will have to be more creative in mounting this device; or more likely, be unable to mount it easily inside your enclosure.
On the positive side, while the radiator is capable of mounting two 120mm fans, it is only as thick as the H50 or H60 models. This means that while it is literally twice as long as a H80, it is only about two thirds that models thickness at 27mm vs. 38mm. This will make things easier in finding room inside your case, and unless you mount four fans to it – making it 7.7cm or just a hair over 3 inches thick - there is a lower chance of it interfering with your motherboard. Also on the positive side, and if other 120mm vs. 240mm radiators are any indicator – this increase length should actually translate into much improved cooling performance even when compared to a double thick single height radiator unit like the H70 or H80.
While the radiator is radically different from past integrations, the two included fans are the exact same as those found on the H80. They are rated for a whopping 2500rpm and an extremely impressive 7.7mm of static pressure, making them perfect for radiator duty.
Much like almost everything else about the H100, the tubing is the same ¼” ID coated neoprene affair used on all previous Corsair water cooling units and has been heat-sealed onto the radiator and water block barbs. This is par for the course as very few companies bother with pinch clamps as heat sealing is a cheaper, more secure and an altogether easier method.
The tubing length may appear to be rather short but at approximately 11 inches, it should reach most parts of even the largest cases. Unfortunately, due to the H100’s large size and limited mounting options, we wish at least 14 inches was given so it could be easily mounted further away from the CPU socket.
As with the latest editions to the Hydro line, the H100 uses 90° connectors which can swivel to mate the tubing and the water block together.
The water block includes an adjustable three speed fan speed controller along with a quartet of fan connectors so the H100 can actively use up to four fans at the same time.
Full review from Hardware Canucks for the "Corsair Hydro Series H100 Liquid CPU Cooler"
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