Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Liquid CPU Cooler Review

H115i RGB Platinum Overview
Removing all the parts from their various bags and wrappers we find a kit complete with hardware to install the cooler in every modern socket including the massive AMD TR4. That of course means a new set of brackets are included that we’ve not seen in former Corsair cooler kits. We also find hardware allowing you to install up to four 140mm fans. In short everything you could possibly need to run the H115i RGB Platinum.

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum

For air and lighting we find a pair of ML Pro Series RGB fans. These are black frames with clear blades and each is equipped with vibration dampening on the mounts. Within each fan are four RGB LEDs each individually addressable. These fans are powered by 4-pin PWM connectors while the RGBs are powered and controlled through a separate proprietary 4-pin connector. Corsair claims a top speed of 2400rpm while making only 37dBA of noise and still pushing 75cfms and 4.2mm-H2O of pressure. Pretty decent specs, let’s hope testing matches or exceeds.

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Moving to the cooler itself we don’t see too much that is different from the H115i Pro RGB at first glance. Still a polished example of what to strive for when creating a mass market water cooling unit. It’s a nice dark semi gloss black radiator matted to an AiO pump/block with black sleeved tubing. Setting things off, the radiator is embossed with a chrome logo on the middle of both sides.

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum

That 280mm radiator comes in at 27mm thin, pretty much standard for an AiO rad. Again we see the logo in the middle of both sides, and just the ports for the tubing at the one end. Interestingly when checking the fin per inch measurement we note that it has dropped to 19 FPI. This makes sense considering the fan size and type of air movement we’ll see but does have us a bit concerned due to the thickness, or lack thereof rather, of the radiator. Time will tell how this will impact performance.

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum

Once again as we mentioned the radiator is connected by standard thickness sleeved tubing to the pump. The sleeve is nice and tight and it does look like Corsair has switched to a different style connector at the rad end. This version has a crimped connector. One interesting bit we noticed was the presence of a twist to the tubing. This lends the pump to naturally align with the socket. A nice little touch that will help with the finishing look. Inside Corsair advertises a lower noise pump and optimized cold plate.

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At the other end of the tubing as always is that pump. With this update we see several changes to the pump. The first being that we have gone back up in thickness from the previous RGB models. The pump is now a good few millimeters taller. Taken away is the second diffuser ring that went around the side of the pump before. In its place we now have an actual metal pump top, it seems to be brushed aluminum.

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum

Checking out the sides we find the data port micro USB connector opposite the inlet/outlet. Then we have the power ribbons, these have multiplied with the addition of the addressable RGBs. Or course there is the inlet and outlet swivel ports which no longer have the power ribbons running between them restricting their function. Kudos to Corsair for listening on that one. The last side installs to the top and has no ports, connectors, or cables of any sort

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The base of the pump we find is protected with a nice plastic cup as usual. We still have to say that Corsairs is probably the best. It’s form fitted, stays in place, and doesn’t feel cheap. Beneath the cup is the coldplate with its standard pre applied TIM. We love this for the consistent results and simplicity but it sure would be aggravating to have to re-install the cooler only to find that you don’t have any more TIM to do so. The finish on the copper cold plate is about a B+. Not great but actually noticeably better than previous Corsair coolers we’ve reviewed.

Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum Corsair H115i RGB Platinum

As mentioned there is a whole host of cables coming out of that pump now. You have a standard SATA power connector, a three pin CPU_FAN connector, two four pin PWM fan connectors, and finally the pair of ARGB four pin connectors.

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