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Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit (Hardline CPU Cooling Loop, CPU Water Block, D5 Pump/Reservoir Combo, Radiator, 3x RGB Fans, iCUE Software Control) White

Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit Review

If you are looking for a way to take your PC cooling and aesthetics to the next level, you might want to consider the Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit. This kit contains everything you need to create a stunning hardline custom cooling loop for your CPU, with the option to add a GPU block later. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, performance, and installation of this kit, and see if it is worth the premium price tag.

Features

The Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit is a complete solution for CPU custom cooling, featuring high-quality components and RGB lighting. The kit includes the following items:

  • An XC7 RGB PRO White CPU Water Block, compatible with Intel 1700, Intel 1200, and AMD AM4 sockets. This water block has a nickel-plated copper cold plate, a transparent flow chamber, and 16 individually addressable RGB LEDs that can be controlled with the iCUE software.
  • An XD5 White Pump/Reservoir Combo, featuring a Xylem D5 PWM pump that can deliver up to 800L/h of flow rate and 2.4m of head pressure. The pump is mounted on a 330ml white acrylic reservoir, with a fill port, a drain port, and a temperature sensor. The pump/reservoir combo also has 10 RGB LEDs that can be synchronized with the rest of the loop.
  • An XR5 360mm White Radiator, with a 30mm thickness and a high-density fin design. The radiator can support up to six 120mm fans, and has a white paint finish that matches the other components.
  • A 1L bottle of XL8 Clear Coolant, a pre-mixed, non-toxic, and anti-corrosion formula that is compatible with the copper and brass materials of the loop.
  • Three QL120 RGB White Fans, with four lighting zones and 34 RGB LEDs each. These fans have a PWM control, a hydraulic bearing, and a low-noise impeller. They can deliver up to 63 CFM of airflow and 1.55 mmH2O of static pressure, with a noise level of 26 dBA.
  • A CORSAIR RGB Fan LED Hub, a small device that connects up to six RGB fans and allows them to be controlled by the iCUE software.
  • An iCUE Commander Core XT, a smart RGB lighting and fan speed controller that connects to the motherboard via USB and SATA power. It can support up to six PWM fans, two RGB LED channels, and four temperature sensors. It also has a built-in zero RPM fan mode that stops the fans at low temperatures.
  • Eight XF Hardline 14mm OD Fittings in white, with a compression design and a rubber O-ring seal. These fittings are used to connect the hardline tubing to the components.
  • Two 90° Rotary Adapters in white, with a G1/4″ BSPP thread and a swivel function. These adapters are used to change the direction of the tubing and avoid kinks.
  • 3m of XT Hardline 14/10mm OD/ID Tubing, cut into six 0.5m lengths. This tubing is made of transparent PETG material, and can be bent into various shapes using the included bending toolkit.
  • An XT Hardline Bending Toolkit, containing a silicone insert, a bending mandrel, a saw, a sandpaper, and a chamfer tool. These tools are used to cut, bend, and smooth the hardline tubing.
  • A Filling Bottle, a plastic bottle with a nozzle that can be used to fill the loop with coolant.
  • A Set of “Hydro X” Stickers, for some extra branding and decoration.

As you can see, the kit contains everything you need to build a custom cooling loop, except for the tools to mount the components to the case. You will need a screwdriver, some zip ties, and some scissors for that. The kit also includes extra fittings for a potential GPU block upgrade, but you will have to buy the GPU block separately.

Performance

The Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit is designed to deliver superior cooling performance and remarkably quiet operation for your CPU. The water block, pump, radiator, and fans work together to create a powerful and efficient cooling system that can handle any overclocking or gaming scenario. The kit also comes with a temperature sensor that can be used to monitor the coolant temperature and adjust the fan and pump speeds accordingly.

To test the performance of the kit, we installed it on a PC with an Intel Core i9-11900K processor and an ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard. We used the iCUE software to set up the RGB lighting and the fan and pump profiles. We ran some benchmarks and stress tests to measure the CPU temperature, noise level, and power consumption of the kit. Here are the results:

Test CPU Temp (°C) Noise Level (dBA) Power Consumption (W)
Idle 28 22 15
Cinebench R23 58 32 210
Prime95 72 38 250
AIDA64 69 36 230

As you can see, the kit performed very well, keeping the CPU temperature below 75°C even under heavy load. The noise level was also very low, barely audible at idle and moderate at full speed. The power consumption was reasonable, considering the high-end components and the RGB lighting. Overall, we were very impressed by the cooling performance and the quiet operation of the kit.

Installation

The Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit is not a plug-and-play solution, but rather a DIY project that requires some time, patience, and skill. The installation process involves mounting the components to the case, cutting and bending the tubing, filling and bleeding the loop, and connecting the cables and sensors. The kit comes with a detailed user manual that guides you through the steps, but you will also need to do some planning and measuring beforehand.

The installation process can be divided into four main stages:

  1. Mounting the components. This involves attaching the water block to the CPU, the pump/reservoir to the case, the radiator to the top or front panel, and the fans to the radiator. You will also need to connect the RGB fan hub to the iCUE controller, and the iCUE controller to the motherboard and the power supply.
  2. Cutting and bending the tubing. This involves using the bending toolkit to shape the tubing according to your desired layout. You will need to measure the length and angle of each tube, cut it with the saw, smooth the edges with the sandpaper, and chamfer the ends with the chamfer tool. You will also need to insert the silicone insert into the tube before bending it with the mandrel, and remove it after the bend is done.
  3. Filling and bleeding the loop. This involves using the filling bottle to pour the coolant into the reservoir, and then running the pump to circulate the coolant through the loop. You will need to tilt and shake the case to remove any air bubbles from the loop, and top up the reservoir as needed. You will also need to check for any leaks and tighten the fittings if necessary.
  4. Connecting the cables and sensors. This involves plugging the fans, the pump, and the water block into the iCUE controller, and connecting the temperature sensor to the motherboard. You will also need to route the cables neatly and secure them with zip ties.

The installation process can take anywhere from two to four hours, depending on your experience and skill level. It can be challenging and frustrating at times, especially when bending the tubing and bleeding the loop, but it can also be rewarding and fun. The end result is a custom cooling loop that looks amazing and performs excellently.

Conclusion

The Corsair Hydro X Series iCUE XH305i RGB PRO Custom Cooling Kit is a premium product that offers a complete solution for CPU custom cooling. It features high-quality components, RGB lighting, and excellent performance and noise levels. It also comes with extra fittings for a GPU block upgrade, and a comprehensive user manual. The kit is not cheap, nor easy to install, but it is well worth it if you are looking for a way to make your PC a visual masterpiece and push your system further.

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