Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Review

Installation
Installing a Corsair closed loop cooler is a fairly simple process. These coolers have been designed to be so easy to install, I would say even a novice with some patience could do it.

The first thing you want to do is to take the correct set of installation hardware for your socket type and set aside the rest. This can be found by consulting the installation guide. For our test rig we are using Intel Socket 1155.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

With the correct hardware picked out the first thing to do is to install the backplate into the back of the motherboard.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

With one hand holding the back plate in place take the other hand and install the correct standoffs into the backplate. The four standoff screws will not be tight against the motherboard when installed. This is normal.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

With the motherboard now prepped I suggest installing the radiator into position in the case. For our test rig we install these in the front of the case. The tubing from the H100i is plenty long enough for our purposes here.

Before attaching the radiator we installed the fans to the inside of the radiator set to pull air in. When you have to choose to push or pull, it is always better to pull air through the radiators fins.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

With fans attached to the inside of the radiator, it is simple enough to attach the radiator to the case itself using the included screws.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

Now that our radiator is secure we can stretch the pump into place over the CPU. Attach the magnetic bracket to the top of the pump first, then carefully lining the pump up over the CPU press it firmly into place. Holding the pump with one hand, start the thumb screws onto the top of the stand offs.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

Once started, finish all four with a Philips screwdriver.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

The main work is now complete, all that is left is attaching the wiring. The whole setup is powered by a Sata power connector, and the CPU_Header on the motherboard. You will of course need an open Sata power connector. Attach the two plugs in their correct places.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

Now attach the fan splitter to one of the open spots on the pump and the other end of course to the fans themselves.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

And finally do the same same with the Corsair Link cord. The cord will need to be attached to an open USB header on your motherboard.

Corsair H100i Water Cooling System Corsair H100i Water Cooling System

Installation of the hardware is now complete. After booting your computer and making sure temperatures are safe, head to Corsair.com, download and install the Corsair Link software to have complete control over the pump and fans.