Corsair iCUE H115i RGB Elite

Corsair's iCUE H115i RGB ELITE is certainly a strong contender in the 280 mm AIO arena. Overall performance is great, it isn't class-leading across the board, but it is respectable on both our Intel and AMD test benches. It easily kept both CPUs from thermal throttling in all of the Overclock tests. In regards to performance per dollar, it could be a bit better, as the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB certainly wins hands down on that front. Regardless, Corsair's latest all-in-one liquid cooler may not bury its direct competition; the fact is it's highly competitive and holds a clear edge in other areas. First and foremost would be quality of life features. The installation process on both AMD and Intel is extremely simple and quick. Corsair's design shows their intention to make the process as easy as possible, and I commend them for that. On our AM4 test bench, Corsair's usage of threaded standoffs made securing the AMD motherboard backplate easy. More importantly, I didn't need to hold it in place along with a bunch of other parts in order to mount the pump. The iCUE H115i RGB ELITE is one of the easiest liquid coolers to install on both the hardware and wiring front. At the same time, while I may not be a fan of iCUE as it simply reinvents the wheel of motherboard software for ARGB control along with PWM fan profiles etc. The usage of 1 wiring harness does make cable management a literal breeze, and being able to keep an eye on coolant temperature is a nice touch as well. Then, of course, there is build quality. As touched on previously, the mounting hardware is great, but on top of that, the fit and finish of the overall product are very good as well. My only real complaint would be the finish of the copper cold plate. A bit more attention here would be nice, granted, not necessary, but still nice. I think the real key aspect that sets the Corsair iCUE H115i RGB ELITE apart from the competition is its 5-year warranty. Something few competing AIO coolers offer. For someone that likes to set it and forget it, this type of warranty is certainly hard to ignore. Other than that, the iCUE H115i RGB ELITE has everyone's favorite feature, ARGB lighting, but it is stuck between non-existent and flamboyant. I know many readers that would prefer not to pay for a feature they have no use for. Meanwhile, most users opting for RGB products want maximum bling. This middle-of-the-road approach, at first glance, seems to miss the point. But I think it's the right choice. If you want something more in your face, Corsair and their competitors have those units available. Meanwhile, a tasteful bit of lighting can be a nice touch, without making my rig look like it's full of unicorn vomit. Sometimes less is more, depending on personal taste. Thankfully, turning off the lighting doesn't hurt the unit's appeal either, so those wanting no lighting or only a little will find the H115i RGB ELITE a fantastic fit. Overall the Corsair iCUE H115i RGB ELITE is a solid 280 mm all-in-one liquid cooler that delivers good performance, is easy to install, and is backed by a stellar warranty. Take all that into account, and you have a cooler that is easy to recommend.