Corsair iCUE H100i Elite CAPELLIX XT Liquid CPU Cooler - Two AF120 RGB Elite Fans - 240mm Radiator - Intel® LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2066, AMD® AM5, AM4 - Included iCUE Commander CORE - White

I purchased this with absolutely no knowledge about PC parts in 2021. I can't really say anything about the installation process as it was my first time assembling a PC. I like the RGB aspect, but I've actually never touched the iCUE software.This week, I was unfortunate enough to fall victim to an extremely rare case of my cooler leaking. This specific cooler has a 5-year warranty period, so all damage was covered by Corsair. Honestly, with how rare this was, I plan on buying the same cooler to replace it. During my research, there were very few cases of this specific cooler leaking, and I doubt it would happen to me again.TDLR I recommend🫶

First off, being new to computer assembling I've learned that there will be short comings with items from popular manufacturers and omitted accessories that ideally should have been included with the product to begin with.It's also worth noting that reviews and Q&As between variants are often mixed together. So don't rely on a single person's judgment as you may be misled to order an inappropriate items.Since my build is not done due to lack of availability of the part's I'm after I hope to be back with an update with operation performance and build photos. So far this review is about case compatibility.I had purchased this cooler for my first PC build. It's housed in a Corsair 4000X case.Installation:It was super easy. I had read reviews about troubling screws. Rather than assuming these folks are malnourished I'm going to guess that previous revisions of this item did indeed have poor QC and *hopefully* had since been improved. Or maybe since I have a driver bit set I'm able to use an appropriate fitting philips-head driver and not one too large or small. Folks who had received damaged or used items should take that up with the distributor/sender, not the manufacturer. It's sad to see these details reflecting product reviews.The Commander Core and fans:I had removed the lighting node core included with the case and installed the Commander Core module horizontally in place of the SSD brackets. I'd rather keep the mounts for future decisions and mount the Commander Core onto the MB accessory tray that you can't purchase anywhere - so clearly not an option.The Commander Core can drive 6 fans (both 3 pin 4 pin models) and their RGB. So it should be able to drive the 3 PWM fans included with the 4000X case. The case doesn't include an exhaust fan so if you want to use that for the remaining open sockets your best option is the CORSAIR iCUE SP120 RGB Elite which is now available to purchase in single packs (was not the case when I had made my initial purchases). Luckily they hit the market before I could buy the last component for my build.If I had a do-over;I'd get the 3x120mm cooler, mount it to the front of the case and move the included case fans to the top and back which looks to be better price and performance - though the cooler and cooler fans would likely be mounted in a less optimum position according to the included installation guide, I feel it would be worth a shot and there would be no worries about RAM clearance on the top of the case. Since I don't want to change the appearance of the fan positions I will keep it on top and had decided to go with the LPX, non RGB ram from Corsair as they are the only solution to this problem.I hope folks see this review and it clears up some elusive details. I'm sure there's more surprises to come for my build.So far; 4 stars. There are potential build implications that really should be in the product description and not buried in the Q&As. Though the issues are merely about product and placement compatibility, I am using the most modern products of the same manufacturer. Any potential implications should be up-front information before you buy the product, not after you've put it together.Update;Computer is built and running! The AIO is working fantastically and the ICUE software is very easy to use and far more customizable than I had assumed (you can program an individual LED!) Plus it's super quiet!Review changed to 5 stars. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this product. My only gripe is simply the manufacture's retail info that isn't so forthright about location to hardware compatibility and you can ONLY use the LPX ram when you install the unit to the top of the case - which is suggested to be the most optimum position according to Corsair. This location compatibility problem is due to the thickness of the radiator and fans. I'd guess this would be a common issue between all top mounted AIO coolers. I'd rather have better cooling over RGB ram sticks so it's certainly no compromise in my eyes.Right now I have the pump's LEDs set to reflect the CPU temp and the fans set to show the GPU temp - both based off of user and manufacturer records on the internet. Plus a little more flash with additional layers in ICUE.

Works great on my Ryzen 5 3600 overclocked to 4.19 GHz stays plenty cool and works great.

As a casual gamer who spends around 20 hours a week gaming, this cooler has been an excellent choice for my setup. Here's why:360mm Radiator: This radiator is huge and does an excellent job of keeping my Intel i5 13600K cool. Even during long gaming sessions, temperatures stay below 60°C, which is what I expected.Three AF120 RGB Elite Fans: Not only are these fans super efficient and quiet, but they also have RGB lighting that I can fully customize. This makes my white setup look even cooler.Compatibility: I had no issues installing it, as it's compatible with Intel LGA 1700 and already includes pre-applied thermal paste, saving you time and money for the first use.iCUE Commander CORE Included: This controller is a blast. I can adjust the fan speed and RGB lighting effects easily with the iCUE software, allowing me to keep everything under control without any hassle.Lighting: The water pump has LEDs that are super bright and efficient. The lighting is vibrant and really stands out in my setup.Performance:In terms of performance, this cooler has not disappointed me. It keeps my CPU at low temperatures even when I'm playing demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2. I haven't had any overheating issues, which is crucial to maintaining stable performance and avoiding FPS drops.Aesthetics and Customization:RGB customization is one of my favorite aspects. With the iCUE software, I can sync the lighting effects with the rest of my Corsair hardware, creating a lighting combination that looks amazing on my white setup. Plus, the sleek design of the radiator and fans perfectly complements my setup.Conclusion:This cooler is a fantastic choice for any casual gamer looking for a powerful and customizable liquid cooling solution. Its ability to maintain low temperatures, coupled with its impressive RGB lighting and wide compatibility, makes it a valuable addition to any PC setup.