The H100i is no longer its top-end model (that title nowbelongs to the H110), although unlike its beefier stable mate, the H1 00i is produced by CoolIT and not Asetek. This means it has a different waterblock and pump assembly as well as a different mount, not to mention the inclusion of Corsair's excellent Link software.
The H100i's pump and waterbtock are identical to those of the H80i, with a magnetic mount frame bolting to standoffs and a motherboard backplate.
It's also possible to install fans on each side with the dual 120mm radiator if you want to further boost the cooling, with space around the waterblock to tie these additional fans to inside the Corsair Link software too.
As with the H80i, this enables you to select your ratio of cooling to noise, with a choice of Maximum, Balanced and Quiet presets, or alternatively, you can even create your own curve from scratch.
There are quite a few cables with which to contend, however, as the unit connects to both fans, a USB motherboard header and a SATA power connector.
Fitting the large H100i to the diminutive heatspreader of an LGA1155 CPU may seem like overkill, but its cooling performance is excellent. With the pair of 120mm fans running at full speed, we measured a delta T of 37°C- onbr 1°C higher than that of the Corsair H110, although the H100i's fans were much, much noisier than those of the H110.
Stepping down to the Balanced preset produced a delta T of 40°C, matching the peak performance of the H80i, while dialling dawn both fans to the Quiet preset saw temperatures rise to a delta Tof 44°C, the same as the temperature from the H80i at the same setting.
Clearly there's little extra to be gained over the H80i at Quiet and Balanced presets, but the H100i is capable of much better cooling at full speed.
Switching to the LGA2011 system produced a similar pattern, with the delta T of 44°C at maximum speed being only 1°C off the temperature result from the NZXT Kra ken X60. Meanwhile, the delta T of 47°C using the Balanced preset was just 1°C cooler than the H80i. However, the delta T of 50°C when using the Quiet profile was 5°C lower than the result from the H80i. This demonstrates the benefit of the H100is greater surface area. meaning that you can stilt retain realty low temperatures at slow fan speeds.
CONCLUSION
Offenng a fantastic balance of cooling, noise and flexibility, the Corsair H100i is in the unique position to deliver precisely the level of cooling power you need, whenever you need it. At full speed, it's a (noisy) cooling powerhouse and at low fan speeds, its demure and quiet, while still producing superior cooling to air coolers. If those options aren't enough, you can design your own fan curves in the Link software. Okay, so $119.99 may be a lot to pay for an air cooler, but while you can find excellent coolers for less than a third of the price, none will be able to match the H100i for capability and flexibility.
Corsair Hydro Series Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler H100i, view technical details
