Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of this test of Corsair’s iCUE Link H150i RGB. Are we dealing with a successful product? Let’s take a closer look!
At last, a kit with few cables!
Once again we find a watercooling kit from the iCUE Link series. We’re not going to lie: this second run confirms what we thought of the H170i RGB: it’s a real plus for the series… Especially when you think of the brand’s previous Capellix kits. Here, we find ourselves with few cables to manage, an even more compact controller and, in short, wiring that’s simple to install.
As for the rest of the assembly, it’s easy enough to do without a tool to tighten the pump… although a screwdriver is recommended to exert the right pressure on the processor.
This time, the brand is equipping its kit with an LCD screen for monitoring the temperature of its components or for further customization. In any case, the latter is very attractive, with sufficient resolution to be perfectly legible. What’s more, the brightness and wide viewing angles make it easy to see!
Half-tone performance..
As far as temperatures are concerned, our kit is rather… delicate. Indeed, as long as it’s running at full speed, it’s a willing performer, especially with a model with high power consumption. As we’ve seen, in these conditions, it can compete with the Ryuo III 360 from Asus. However, as soon as you regulate it just a little, temperatures soar quite rapidly, to the point of delivering performance similar to that of a much more compact 240 mm kit.
Inevitably, the temperature/noise ratio takes a hit, with the AIO lagging behind its rivals in the same format… even though it’s trying to break through at full speed.
As for noise, of course it’s (very) noisy at full throttle, but once muzzled, it becomes bearable again. At 1000rpm, we have a perfectly silent AIO that won’t bother you in the slightest, unlike ASUS kits, for example, which are slightly noisy.
An unaffordable price :
However, there’s one thing to consider beyond performance and noise: the price tag. Clearly, at $270 in the US or €380 in Europe, the brand is really pulling out all the stops by offering us an AIO at this price. Yes, it’s got a nice screen, and yes, the cabling system has been simplified, but it’s still dangerously close to €400.
At this price, it’s clear that you’ll find ready-to-install custom sets that perform much better. And if you want an AIO with a screen, there are other, less expensive references on the market.
Corsair iCUE Link H150i LCD:
We like:
- The radiator is as well finished as ever!
- Pleasing pump design.
- Attractive, well-defined, bright display
- The new iCUE Link system is easy to plug in… and requires very few cables.
- Ventilation already fitted as standard
- Full management via Corsair’s iCUE suite(RGB, speeds, etc.)
- Correct temperatures at full speed
- Controlled noise at low speeds.
We liked less :
- Temperatures that lag as soon as you reduce speed
- Noise pollution at full throttle!
- The bill that literally explodes!
Sad to say, we don’t see how we can recommend such a kit. Yes, the wiring is simple to install, yes, the screen is high-quality, and full software management is possible. However, even beyond the temperatures and noise, the price tag makes it de facto unaffordable. Who’d spend $270 or €380 on a watercooling kit when you can have a custom loop? And if it’s the screen you’re after, there are other, less expensive solutions available, even from Corsair… Even if you have to bother with cables.
Many thanks to Corsair!
