Corsair iCUE H170i Elite LCD XT AIO Cooler [420mm]

[@KitGuruTech]

What cooler are you currently rocking - tempted to upgrade any time soon?

[@swizzler8053]

Custom loop over here. Before the custom loop I had an fractal celcius. Really like fractal aios. Really dislike the rat nest of cables on corsair aios/fans.

[@enacku]

NZXT Kraken x73, probably won't upgrade till I build a totally new system, currently with a 5950x and 7900 xtx that I hope will last awhile before I give in to a new platform.

[@fofo4meeee]

deep cool ls720se top mounted for the cpu (i5 13600kf) and a thermaltake floe 240 for the gpu (kraken g12 asus 2070 super evo) In a h7 flow case

[@AdrianPragacha]

arctic liquid freezer 420, how does this compare to the h170i?

[@euphoria842]

I'm cooling my 7950x with the LT720 from Deepcool - works like a charm.

[@tjp4342]

Corsair continues to push boundaries once again, great looking AIO and supremely powerful.

[@lucifersheadscarf6988]

I love James reviews. Straight to the point and backed up with stats. ❤

[@KitGuruJames]

👍 thanks.

[@bobbymoss6160]

I'm rocking the deepcool castle 280ex in my 5600X/6700 XT system. Love it, no plans to change. When I get the next system, I'll just get all new parts, minus just the M.2s and SSDs.

[@TimLongson]

Could you please do a comparison review for water cooling which includes custom, including their compatibility for upcoming AMD 7000 3D cache CPUs? Like all the different custom water blocks (with overkill radiators so the limit is only the block itself, like two 420mm radiators) and you could include the top of the range AIOs (like 360 and 420mm radiator AIO versons) so we can see how they compare, and determine the best possible CPU cooling kit for the hottest CPUs?

[@Nite-Lite-Gamers]

If prices continues like this, then the Pc days will fade away. The big companies will cut their own greedy throats......Im glad you are not afraid to mention the price though......

[@KnightRider-lq5yb]

James always gets the good and negative points imo. Always balanced.

[@roguepc8145]

Yea, been playing my PS5 more and more.

[@rip.tear.]

It’s literally one of their highest tier coolers, what do you expect??

[@roguepc8145]

@@rip.tear. agreed

[@huracanschiz]

No it won’t.Theres always a sucker born every minute

[@Byrkster]

I am starting a new build, thinking of doing a custom water loop now that I saw this being 309.00 us dollars. :) thank for the video

[@Nicc93]

I am currently using a 360mm corsair Elite Capellix in white :) that might change today if mail arrives. Got a full custom watercooling EK setup just needed a second radiator. It is the classic kit which costed half the price of new versions and a waterblock for 3080 ti

[@fongvang935]

Yeah, u can buy a fast cpu for $300usd. But it is a good thing that we have the option to buy something like this, IMO. There's always a price to pay for this kind of market. In general, most people dont NEED a 420mm AIO cooler, let alone an LCD screen to go with it. You can get a nonLCD version for 100USD less. The NZXT and Asus Ryujin with the LCD version cost about $300Usd also, so this is actually quite competitive given it's a 420 mm and the other two are 360mm.

[@propeldragon]

Well if everyone raises their prices, $300 cpu cooler will seem like a good deal....

[@hustleathomeph]

With this review, I would definitely go for DeepCool LT720 with it's price to performance

[@MrSingh1150]

Don't they have fan noice issues bad design

[@Lonestar166]

Excellent review, you have a new subscriber. Greetings from across the pond.

[@nxs44]

James, thank you for this informative and insightful review. James would you please consider updating this review using the AMD 9 7950X and Intel i9 13900K for those of us seeking to upgrade or building a new system.Both CPU's run at much higher temperatures then the older Ryzen 9 5950X. Kindest regards and continued success to you and your channel.

[@KitGuruJames]

I'll look at updating the test bench soon. It's a hell of a lot of work to retest all the coolers in the current database. To do a thorough job I'll be lucky to get two coolers tested in a day. I have a 13900K test bench set up and ran a quick thetmal comparison between the H170i Elite LCD XT and the current top 360mm cooler, the EK_Nucleus. The EK came out on top by about 2-3C, so very similar to the result on the 5950X test bench.

[@nxs44]

@@KitGuruJames James thank you for taking the time to reply and for the additional information. I just bit the bullet and purchased the Arctic Freezer II 280 ARGB and NZXT H7 Elite and then to my surprise after purchasing it being told by my grandson that Arctic Freezer II 280 cannot be top mounted! thankfully my grandson offered to shave cable hiding bar found in the H7 Flow adding that he implemented this solution on his own rig. Thanks again and take care.

[@nezahatylmaz6734]

Agree with James on the packaging you want that nicely folded cardboard Apply level packaging for that money.

[@larwiemcdonnel5322]

Great review James. Honest as always.

[@MikeZak101]

I have been running the H170i for about a year now, first on my 12900k and now its on the 13900k, I tried an MSI 360 AIO which could not tame the temps but this 420 AIO is just a beast, my 13900k can pull over 300w and the temps never go past the 85c mark but under gaming ect 50c, fans are fixed to 45% and never ramp up. I do have a few issues with this AIO, firstly the screen is a waste of time which personally I wouldn't bother with in terms of upgrading the standard AIO or buying the elite version, it doesn't work most of the time, 9 out of 10 boots it won't even switch on, the only way I could get it to work is to literally shut down your pc and quickly power it back on and most of the time it would come on with the second boot, very inconvenient. Next issue is the commander for it, you are forced to use iCue or you won't be able to control any of the fan curves etc. I literally set a fan speed and then stop icue from starting on boot up as it just eats CPU performance, run a cinebench R23 test with it off and I get a score of around 40200, running iCue in the background and the score drops to around 38400, not the end of the world but on a lower end CPU it be a sacrifice for a bit of RGB.

[@123TheCloop]

ive been using icue for years, if your seeing degrading performance with it running then you have issues. secondly why are you buying an icue product and expecting to not use icue........ thats like buying nzxt AIOs and expecting not to use CAM....... not to sound like an ass but ide still argue the commander core xt that is issued or the one you can buy is still the best fan/rgb hub on the market so long as you buy corsair products which imo are still some of the best quality around and ive been using corsair for the last 7-8 years in PSUs, fans, AIOs, cases etc.

[@MikeZak101]

@@123TheCloop I hear what your saying but I cant think of another AIO on the market that requires propriety software for it to run the basics in terms of fan / pump speed, I get the RGB but CPU cooling is probably the most important things on a build so really should be controlled by the bios and not software. compatible When I had the elite screen fitted it hardly ever worked but it wasn't so much that it didn't power on, icue wouldn't recognise the whole AIO because of it, put the standard RGB cover back on and no issues, plus its not just me there are plenty of forums with loads of people with the same issue and that's been going on for nearly 2 years.

[@sxx01]

does the aio and the rgb work properly if you end the processes?

[@MikeZak101]

@@sxx01 If you close icue you set the hardware lighting to whatever you want the RGB to be when icue is not running. The aio still runs but the pump and fan speeds seem to be fixed at a certain rate regardless of temps. Fans seem to run at a fixed 40% or 50%, but to be fair even under load running them at that speed doesn't seem to make a big difference to CPU temp, but the extra airflow would more likely help other components out like VRM, RAM ect.

[@jrjr5082]

Obrigadobpelo comentário amigo , comprei este Corsair h170 elite para meu 13900k espero que resolva meu problema 👍🆗.

[@dustincavanaugh5674]

I can't get over that this unit's name starts with the letter Haeche. Love it.

[@deviantbuilds]

The custom loop comparison doesn't have a pump as that's just the body version, 3 140mm fans and coolant. Corsair charges roughly 100 for their screen. Take 100 off the Corsair price, add the pump, fans, and coolant prices to the custom loop, and that will be a more fair comparison. The custom ek loop should still perform better, but it would cost more than 2x as much.

[@KitGuruJames]

Sorry, you are correct about the pump. With pump and fans added it's €458 which converts roughly to £405 so still not a big difference in price and that's with a 44mm thick EK surface radiator, a 30mm radiator would be about £20 cheaper but they are out of stock right now. 30mm EK radiator brings the cost closer to the Corsair AIO again. I imagine if you priced up an Alphacool custom loop you would be very close to the Corsair AIO price.

[@factsoverfeelings21]

1st time here and enjoyed the video. I have the H170i but mine is BNIB until I complete my NEW system next week. But my comment/question is, as you see on the fans RPM Corsair keeps them low for the 140mm. What if you bumped the 140mm fans up even 200RPM extra to be around the faster RPM 120’s that are all @ 1300+RPM. Just to try it out and see if there’s bigger difference it temps, since the AF’s can hit 1700RPM at max speeds.

[@vensroofcat6415]

I couldn't care less about extra 5°C CPU as long as it's low noise. I don't have to hold it in my hands after all. And the price is far outside diminishing returns area. The thing with 140mm fans at same RPM is their tips are cutting the air 16% faster which adds to the noise. The only reason to use larger fans is to run them slower. NH-U12A, No.

[@nightishardsoftwarereviews7410]

Do you have to connect the Commander to Use the AIO? Or do you use the USB Connector to power the pump? I don’t want to use the Corsair Fans and want to only power the Pump with other fans separately

[@robvdl]

I had a look at my local supplier to see if those EKWB parts really were "nearly the same price" as the Corsair icue 170. Actually in reality it was "nearly double the price" to get EKWB components at my local supplier. I looked at exactly the same items as shown 1:15 into the video.

[@scotttait2197]

170 dude

[@dakharding6974]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@barrychuckle2559]

Good honest review. I see other reviews have a similar opinion on performance. To be fair all LCD AIOs are overpriced waste money.

[@shaolin95]

thanks for the great video!

[@des7royerz]

Very nice review! I thought as well that it was kinda disappointing. I Actually wanted to see a comparison of the 3(5?) best thermal pastes around against liquid metal while running a 13900k(s) and one of these great aio (maybe the be quiet ones since its got a nickel plated base) and see how the paste affect the efficiency of the cooler. Sometimes i think the cooler results might be kinda limited to the paste heat transfer (since its not that high)

[@the-animeslayer4241]

I got one last week by accident. Went to put in my case and it didn't fit. So I had to send it back and get the H5.

[@Sams911]

packaging matters .. I just took delivery of one with a damaged box and it damaged the radiator .. had to order a replacement from Amazon in order not to delay the build further,

[@sim-is-cool]

i just bught a h150i elite capillix non xt :(

[@milospetkovic329]

Does this pump also have high pitched noise like on previous version?

[@Radek__]

I aslo want to know something about that. The funny thing is that, we are talking here about cooling but that guy talks on video about LIGHTS and LED settings. BUT not single word about FAN/PUMP speed settings. I have h170i elite and I hate that pump whine and unable to low pump spped below 2000rpm. I'm able to buy that new XT if the pump noise is fixed and LOW pump speed is unlocked.

[@Radek__]

P.S. I think I found the answer on different video - Put this into youtube search: Corsair H170i Elite Capellix XT install guide AMD and Intel and rewind to 30.25 and there, that guy present ICUE and he trying to switch fans speed profiles. I see the pump speed there, about 2200rpm on quiet profile. When he open the pump settings there is quiet, balanced, extreme. variable. So if for quiet I see over 2200rpm then I know the pump speed will be the same as in NON-XT version. Fucking Corsair standards. I had gigabyte waterforce x 360 and I could set by myself, the pump curve from 0 to 3200. I could even truned it off

[@toonnut1]

13900k results?

[@damnquake7611]

Is Inwin Airforce long enough inside for a CORSAIR ICUE H170i ELITE LCD XT DISPLAY 420MM ?

[@volkank.k4121]

Can you review the Phanteks Glacier One 420D30

[@treyquattro]

would have been better to test on hot CPUs like the i9-13900K and 7950X IMHO

[@barrychuckle2559]

5950x is still a good test. It will be consuming around 260W when overclocked. I remember using a 5950X with a Corsair HydroX custom loop not long after launch and it hit 90C when under load.

[@treyquattro]

@@barrychuckle2559 I have a 5950X, i9-12900 and 7950X system: the 5950X generally maxes out around 70C whereas the other two are over 90C. Noctua air coolers on the AMD systems, 280mm AIO on Intel.

[@rcole134]

Wouldn't it have been more accurate to have also included 3 fans and liquid when comparing the cost of a potential custom CPU only loop and an AIO that does come with 3 x140mm fans and liquid? Then people could perhaps have seen that although the 420mm AIO from Corsair isn't exactly cheap it is cheaper than a custom setup.

[@KitGuruJames]

Good point. Still not much between the two as the EK loop price is in Euros so add three fans on and you are still in the same ball park.

[@rcole134]

@@KitGuruJames Absolutely, unless of course you want to go with the same fans that are included in the AIO in which case your talking another £90 plus the liquid and the icue block if needed. Really, the custom loop is at least £45 more expensive once you've added in 3 decent fans and liquid with more work required.

[@fall0rn]

i lost the brackets for my am4 motherboard, any idea where i can buy new brackets for an AM4 motherboard?

[@Sleepy.Time.]

for the price this really should include a refill port

[@rufusmctavish1164]

Yeah I thought the same thing. Weird they missed that. No idea why.

[@fluffehgamer4712]

U sure it’s not hidden with a cover on it there’s a plug or something on the side of the block with a big Phillip screw head

[@keithjovendeguzman4015]

cooler master h500p mesh model case top radiator fit size 420mm corsair icue h170i? thanks sir

[@nasukke6040]

When i open any app the noise its to much for a 2-3 seconds, then its quiet, but when i open chrome, or some aplication the sound its to much for few second. I change on the biot for quiet, on icue and its impossible to change.

[@sprashanth916]

One of the best cpu cooler h170i...

[@keithjovendeguzman4015]

corsair icue h170i elite lcd xt what size inches radiator? thanks sir

[@mertkaya6932]

Wow that cooler is more expensive than some CPUs.

[@Maxdog-xw8le]

What’s the difference between the h150i lcd and the h150i lcd xt?

[@Barcamann]

mostly the fans. the h150i lcd comes with the ML version of the fans. the h150i lcd xt comes with AF version of the fans. the fans have a slightly other spec. it might be the case that the fans which come with the xt version are the better ones incase of static pressure and more rpm... but not entirely sure because i did not test it on my own

[@123TheCloop]

@@Barcamann AF fans are worse than the ML fans, dont buy the XT version.

[@fudgewaffle4742]

isn't this the same with the old model? just different fans and thermal paste

[@KitGuruJames]

More or less yes.

[@stobe187]

A CPU cooler shouldn't cost the same as the CPU itself.

[@SAMIR-zf5wc]

That is a really long cooler looks like it’s going to stick out of the front of most cases.

[@civsully1740]

So if you already have the Commander Core Xt preinstalled in your case can you just connect this pump directly to the preinstalled Commander?

[@mauriciogasca6516]

Nope, the Commander core xt included in the H170i has another port that the Commander core from your case doesn't have, it goes paired with the pump, so you need to connect too.

[@squatch545]

Why didn't you compare it to the Arctic Liquid Freezer 420mm? Makes no sense.

[@QuentinStephens]

I do admire you for trying to find nice things to say about this cooler. You've done sterling work in your testing and as a result I could only suggest it to those who consult me if it will fully cool a high end Threadripper Pro. Do I correctly recall that Leo has one of them? At the start you made a jibe about GPU pricing: if Intel's price cuts have come to the UK you should be able to buy an A750 for that money, with change. Given that cases have expanded to cope with larger GPUs, that tubing really does look on the short side for fitting into a larger case when the radiator hoses are at the bottom; something for you to test? I'm looking forward to see you testing Threadripper Pro compatibility: can it really cool all the CCDs on a 5995? That, I suggest, would be a real USP. And for that money I would have liked to have seen those premium fans that link together so as to reduce the cabling.

[@powermaster5004]

James always seems to try all the positives and negatives. Like his style.

[@QuentinStephens]

@@powermaster5004 Agreed.

[@KitGuruJames]

I've discussed this often with Luke and we both came to the same conclusion. This type of AIO isn't particularly great at cooling threadripper as the CPU block doesn't fully cover the Threadripper IHS. An air cooler with a full cover Threadripper cold plate seems to work as well, if not better.

[@QuentinStephens]

@@KitGuruJames Thanks. I had hopes given the rectangular cold plate. Oh well.

[@iamahappybunny7640]

Seems like a good enough cooler but I agree the performance is lacking a little for the size. Ilove icue though.

[@1SaG]

It's a good thing my case only supports a single 360mm rad - or I might have been tempted. Not by the Corsair, mind because it's ridiculously expensive.

[@synexx2767]

Do I need to use the commander core to use the LCD? I would like to use different, non-corsair fans which have their own controller with this AiO.

[@jamesnicol9810]

Yes you do as it comes with the software to control it once you updated the firmware on Icue. The RGB connection on command core only uses the Corsair style 4 pin connection meaning you can not use the Icue software to control other ARGB/RGB fans. So you would have to connect your fans to The mobo header if not Corsair fans .Also the command unit only controls via PWM so if you have 3 pin headers then it won't be recognised but again you can control via the sys header on the mobo . So ultimately if you want full function it's best to have Corsair fans . Good news though you can set fan curves to individual fans on the command core

[@dominicmoass8478]

What AIO would you get if money wasn't a factor James?

[@KitGuruJames]

I'm all about the performance so right now it would probably be the EK-Nucleus if money didn't matter.

[@bobsmithson8592]

Ekwb are hard to beat.

[@shEpRok]

Prices are messed up in the price list.

[@davidarcx3623]

Hi, I want to buy this cooler and I have a 4000x chassis, does it work for my chassis?

[@KitGuruJames]

I think the 4000X only supports up to 360mm radiators. You would need the H150i version.

[@alexsp7086]

I was lucky :)) on the website it is 430 euro but in the store it was 290 I think they made a mistake. Or they where high.

[@justindavis7600]

What’s your favourite big aio James ?

[@KitGuruJames]

Can't fault the performance of the EK-Nucleus. But then Deepcool offers some very good value options such at the LT720 etc.

[@Jebbydafry]

I can’t find a case for the radiator

[@cyfiver]

Corsair 7000D I use it in

[@darknessblades]

If only these where cheaper then they would be a great buy

[@stickyfingers9710]

That’s a problem. The price

[@forthenext]

Which is better, this Arctic’s 420mm?

[@jeremiahk364]

Performance wise arctic. Atheistic wise Corsair.

[@daviniarobbins9298]

If they took out the fan controller, the fans and the LCD screen the cost would reduce to something like £100. Buyers are paying for all that extra crap.

[@MartinOlminkhof]

For short just call it the long boy

[@larsreintjes4173]

I got the 240mm version for 30€ 😂 best deal ever

[@user-in6te4bt5e]

This test really no saying much. 420 radiators usually make a difference on power hungry i9 cpus@300 watt+

[@spektrumB]

The relevant question is why do we need bigger and bigger coolers? Why do high end CPUs draw more and more power? I don't like this trend at all.

[@amdforlife5591]

Ekwb nucleus wins imo

[@kleinmarb4362]

420mm corsair icue h170i elite lcd xt

[@Corontant]

Молодцы:))++

[@ellerimkirli9543]

my 5800x3d can mock every single cooler for sure

[@jcmg1436]

I have bought a 5800x 3d, how does it behave in temperatures?

[@ellerimkirli9543]

@@jcmg1436 51-55C on idle, move my mouse around jumps to 65C, open chrome jumps to 71C, in game temps 65 to 81C. Undervolted, +200 Mhz and similiar temps Too hot and high performance cpu.

[@gogopowerrangers6596]

Very expensive this one 😮

[@sidewinder86ify]

Sup bro!

[@marinipersonal]

Instead wasting time and resource with things such as screen, RGB, why not actually develop a proper pump without high pitch noise, like Arctic and EK? Performance is king. The Arctic Freezer II 360, paired with Phanteks T30 would trash it.

[@choppergirl]

was going to buy an ICue H150i LCD to go in my Corsair 5000D case, but then I did a quick search and found out iCue only runs on Windows 10. I run Windows 7. So yeah, Corsair, FAIL. I'll buy some other solution that is controlled by BIOS or buttons on a box, not software.

[@haremofprocessors6954]

Would you buy this with your own money James ?

[@KitGuruJames]

No. But I'm a tight Yorkshire man. 😄

[@harleylover9446]

It's a little disappointing. But a good cooler overall

[@reloadingdontshoot1]

Junk; get the Arrctic LF II 420 aio

[@efx245precor3]

Yeah, she said.

[@Sunny_8418]

Not worth it honestly, i will stay with deepcool 360mm, i thought 420 mm would be better but nah.

[@Thorcat001]

I know you care about the box being high-quality, but I can care less. Put the money into the product, not the box I’m gonna throw out.

[@gscurd75]

You can literally get an Arctic that performs better but has no RGB or display for half.

[@1chrissage2]

But, what if I want RGB?

[@gscurd75]

@@1chrissage2 Then its a little more than half but still considerably less. Trade off is no little screen. If you want that screen, EK actually has out a new one as well the Nucleus Vision that is even better than both and only $240. However with all of these models that have a display, they are very difficult to find.

[@makiwa]

It makes me wonder why you are comparing here the MOST EXPENSIVE 170i LCD when the regular Capellix sells for around £200.00 - a big bloody difference! That would have been a more balanced comparison in all honesty! All I see here is that you are trying to make it look more worse than it actually is. So people take this presentation with the pinch of salt it deserves.... Totally biased. I switched off at 1:55....

[@barrychuckle2559]

If you had watched the video to the end he recommends the Elite Capellix that you are talking about. I'm not sure how you think this is a biased opinion. What you are saying makes no sense.

[@WASD-MVME]

Let me say it for you skip it

[@stickyfingers9710]

Why ?

[@powermaster5004]

I’d say if you were buying one for the first time it’s a good buy. Not much of an upgrade however.

[@alexsp7086]

@@stickyfingers9710 he can’t afford it.

[@LifeIsButaBluff]

What a disappointing performance for the price, was expecting a lot better from Corsair.

[@devinbaines]

Packaging is important to me. As little plastic/foam as possible. More cardboard and paper. Think Apple. I have avoided buying items in the past that were otherwise very performant, but whose packaging was off-the-charts bad in terms of waste and environmental impact.

[@bobsmithson8592]

Interesting to read. I tend to not think about it and just chuck it In The bin. I should think more about this stuff.

[@KitGuruJames]

@@bobsmithson8592 I'm the exact opposite and keep the packaging for just about every piece of tech until I sell it on when I'm finished with it.

[@claudiogori4480]

good morning. I really enjoyed your work. I would like your help to solve a problem. I have a cooler master cosmos c700m case and I'm looking to buy this water cooler but I don't think it will support it without adaptation. because the plates where the water cooler and the fans are. measures 42.5 cm. and this radiator has a total measurement of 457mm. I think I have two solutions or push with the fans or use a spacer. Do you know for sure if I need to make any modifications to the case to install this water cooler? good morning. I really enjoyed your work. I would like your help to solve a problem. I have a cooler master cosmos c700m case and I'm looking to buy this water cooler but I don't think it will support it without adaptation. because the plates where the water cooler and the fans are. measures 42.5 cm. and this radiator has a total measurement of 457mm. I think I have two solutions or push with the fans or use a spacer. Do you know for sure if I need to make any modifications to the case to install this water cooler?

[@Delusional-People]

Corsair are always overpriced regarding AIOs just buy an arctic one