Corsair H70: Next-Gen Self-Contained Liquid Cooling

[Guest]

Seems you didn't mention one quite important thing: the cpu water block and the water radiator are from two different materials (copper vs. aluminium) which can have some side effects ...

 

[tnagy]

I had this one for about 3 hours. Only 2C degrees different between this and Zalman Cpns 9900ALED.The fans noise was terrible, and no PWM control fan only 2000rpm or 1600rpm.

 

[hangfirew8]

Scythe products are conspicuously missing from your comparison charts.

 

[Onus]

This appears to be intended for posers who just want to say they have a water-cooled CPU, as if to imply their rig is somehow superior to others'. Otherwise, it does not appear to answer a genuine need.

 

[americanherosandwich]

Am I the only one that thinks it odd that they're comparing top-of-the-line CPU coolers on a Dual Core LGA 775 CPU? Seems like a waste when the boxed Intel cooler actually does a good enough job for it.

 

[SgtBilko]

Why are you reviewing a product that has been on the market for ages?

 

[poppasmurf]

It is a shame you used a a older chip!

I'm assuming you think that a 90nm runs hotter than most with the clock speeds and you were hoping to see results I really think you did a product some unjust here be displaying a mislead article here without using the right chips it was designed for.

Simple math has to play into factor here haven't the big guys said less mass equals lower heat that is what all our chip manuf. been say less heat equals power sipping beast that can be OC'ed

So with that being said how about it, lets go at it again, and use a the recommended chips! 90nm vs 45nm chip my god that's twice the area for the heat to thrive of course things won't impress anyone I hate to say it time was wasted on this article here a few test I've found using a 45nm instead of this flipping fireball for a chip.

For those who want to see a different setting with 45nm chip checkout "you tube" type in H50 Corsair or H70 Corsair reviews or tests in the search they might be home DIY'er here, but you get a unbiased opinion here using more mainstream chips for the right group of user interested

here is just one of those test on video too! check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkdOK_uHMy0&NR=1

 

[poppasmurf]

It is a shame you used a a older chip!

I'm assuming you think that a 90nm runs hotter than most with the clock speeds and you were hoping to see results I really think you did a product some unjust here be displaying a mislead article here without using the right chips it was designed for.

Simple math has to play into factor here haven't the big guys said less mass equals lower heat that is what all our chip manuf. been say less heat equals power sipping beast that can be OC'ed

So with that being said how about it, lets go at it again, and use a the recommended chips! 90nm vs 45nm chip my god that's twice the area for the heat to thrive of course things won't impress anyone I hate to say it time was wasted on this article here a few test I've found using a 45nm instead of this flipping fireball for a chip.

For those who want to see a different setting with 45nm chip checkout "you tube" type in H50 Corsair or H70 Corsair reviews or tests in the search they might be home DIY'er here, but you get a unbiased opinion here using more mainstream chips for the right group of user interested

here is just one of those test on video too! check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkdOK_uHMy0&NR=1

Sorry for being so harsh I just felt it was a poor article and really felt it was not really tested right

 

[Guest]

How much power does it require?
Is it better than a regular fan (power consumption wise) eg for htpc's?

 

[masterasia]

I own the H50, CM V8, and Prolimatech. The Prolimatech is by far the best air cooler out there. Well worth the money. My 4.0 GHZ i7 920 idles at 28 C. I'd still choose it over the self contained water coolers.

 

[RazberyBandit]

[citation][nom]cmcghee358[/nom]I would have also liked to have seen comparison between a push/pull exhaust, and a push/pull intake. For my H50, it is quite explicit that the radiator should be pulling outside air through the fins. And yet, people keep it as an exhaust and then lament of their temps.One of the biggest perks of a closed loop water cooling system is you dictate what air is being used. Where-as big air is always restricted to case air(unless a side is removed and a box fan is added)I would have also liked to of seen it as a delta above ambient, rather than a flat CPU temperature comparison. I personally process the delta better, and lend more credence to it.[/citation]
I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, unless a PC case supports a top-mounted 120mm fan, the customary 120mm rear fan slot is the only place this unit can be mounted due to the tubing length. In a rear fan slot application, taking air in from the rear could result in the ingestion of warm air that's already passed through the PSU, the video card, or both.

I'd like to see this unit retested in a case that has a top-mount fan slot. (Perhaps something like the CoolerMaster CM-690 or 690 II.)

 

[ortoklaz]

Are you kidding me? why would you want to compare this mickey mouse unit to real liquid cooling ?" liquid cooling doesn't have to involve a complex setup procedure"-so connecting radiator/pump,etc with some hose clamps is complex? With all do respect to who ever this this test-21C?" using the same old, proven test system"? armpit thermometer?
Here is the kicker 45.6~57.3 db(A),if someone considers this to be quite ,you need a hearing aid,this units will never be quite do to high FPI rads requirement
Yes if you own very small case and don't mind the noise i guess it's the only alternative for now

 

[Guest]

I can't get my CPNS10X into my HTPC case. So I got the H70 and it's fine.
It's hanging out the back acting as an exhaust. Temps are unchanged but I've lost the big ugly BOX and gained a stylish HTPC.

dunx

 

[MingtheMerciless]

I personally would have found a review performed on a 1156/1356 system more useful. There were definitely many elements missing from this analysis, which perhaps a Part II will address. Issues such as blatantly missing a baseline comparison to the Corsair H50, displaying if the additional cost is worth the going to an H70, and comparison of the Intel Core i7 TDP compared to the Pentium 4 D with respect to the efficiency of the coolers reviewed.

As for as the market for these Corsair/Asetek "low-cost" semi-permanently sealed liquid coolers, here some of my observations in general having used them.

Advantages Compared to Air:
(1) Smaller Plan Form
(2) Reduced Load Carried Through Motherboard/Mounting Brackets

Disadvantages Compared to Air:
(1) Not Particularly Efficient, Per Dollar (Bang-For-Your-Buck)
(2) To Operate on Par w/ Air Coolers Requires High CFM Fans In Push-Pull
(3) Noise Levels Are the Same or Worst Than Air Cooler
(4) May Require Additional Cooling for RAM/VRM/MOSFET/Northbridge/etc.

I agree with the other comments, that an air cooler is better both for performance and cost reasons. However, I think this could be a viable solution for those that have limited real-estate in their system case, as some of these air coolers have large heat sinks that can cause interference issues with some components like RAM and PSU. Otherwise, it's a waste of money compared to the air coolers out there, to get the system to run optimally you'll need to use high CFM fans, which negates the inherent advantage the concept of low noise with a water cooling system in the first place.

 

[aaron88_7]

Does the warranty include any damaged components in case it does leak? I've read a few reviews of the H50 leaking so that would make me nervous about slapping one of these in a high en PC.....and seriously, if this thing isn't quieter than air coolers wtf is the point?

I'd stick with a Zalman, though hopefully Corsair can bring out a liquid cooler that addresses the noise issue and actually makes it worth its high price tag

 

[dogman_1234]

Hmmm...

30 bucks for a 212+ dual fan or a CH70 at 100+ buckaroos, olus the 212 cools better. Hmmm...?

 

[dogofwars]

I have the CoolIt one and it's running perfectly, maybe not the best but it did not fail and running my CPU around 33C on idle for an 17 930 at 3.5Ghz, could go up to 50C if I stress my system a lot. All in all I am happy even though it's not a product to brag about.

 

[User69]

It seems like the article is pulling a fast one by not using recent 1366/1156 processors. Then not including the H50 to compare to must of meant that there was not much of a difference when it was tested. But if you look at price/performance H50 = $70, H70 = $110 how can you really sell the later.

 

[iamtheking123]

The chart isn't all that great unless it's presented as delta T above ambient.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

As is well explained over at benchmarkreviews.com, "Before the Intel Core i7/X58 platform arrived, the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors did their part to separate the cream of the crop from our large collection of LGA775 coolers. In a previous Best CPU Cooler Performance article, Benchmark Reviews retired the LGA775 platform from its testing duties and made room for the up-and-coming LGA1366 socket. It didn't take long to collect several CPU coolers designed for the Intel Core i7 CPU & X58 platform. It's a mistake to think that any LGA775 cooler can do just as well with the new LGA1366/Core i7 platform; primarily because the size and location of processor cores has changed. "

The test system used as a basis for this article makes therefore makes the data in this article questionable at best for a modern CPU.

 

[PudgyChicken]

I understand that some people might actually use the included fans, and by all means they are the right thing to test with, but my H50 has some sexy blue LED fans that match my Coolermaster HAF 932 and work at 2000 RPM without almost any noise at all (push-pull btw). And they push a helluva lotta air, keeping my i7 980X cool as a cucumber. So maybe this would be a wise investment with different fans

 

[Hando567]

I own one of these and love it. Fits perfect in my mini P180 to cool my OCd 1090T, no air cooler I could find would do that.

 

[stone-69]

Yep, it looks like air cooling is still better and/or cheaper

 

[chedderslam1976]

I lost a graphics card when my h50 died and leaked into my case. You have been warned.

 

[jerreece]

[citation][nom]mayankleoboy1[/nom]WATER cooler getting beaten by a CHEAPER,COOLER, MORE SILENT AIR cooler is downright shameful.[/citation]

Beaten by several.

[citation][nom]chovav[/nom]where's the H50 in the charts?[/citation]

Totally agree. Not a complete review without a comparison to the original version to document product improvements.