Because the PC market continues its progress, quite a few corporations are working to make entry simpler for brand new PC builders. One such firm is Corsair, who needs to present even probably the most novice of PC avid gamers an opportunity to construct the customized machine of their goals. That dream is turning into a actuality with Corsair’s customized liquid cooling equipment.
Whereas Corsair has lengthy provided liquid cooling options for PC homeowners, it’s all the time been in an à la carte type. However Corsair is now making customized liquid cooling extra accessible by offering full starter kits to assist builders simply create distinctive loops. Retailing for $479.99 USD in both white or black, the Hydro X Sequence iCUE XH303i RGB Professional Customized Cooling Package takes the guesswork out of getting began with a liquid CPU cooling setup for AMD AM4 and Intel LGA 1200/115X sockets.
All the pieces you want… nearly
The Hydro X Sequence iCUE XH303i RGB Professional Customized Cooling Package comes with all the things it’s essential to get began together with your first customized cooling loop.
Included within the equipment are the next:
- XC7 RGB Professional CPU cooling block
- XR5 360mm radiator
- XD3 Pump/Reservoir
- Three SP120 RGB Elite followers
- Corsair iCUE Commander Professional
- RGB LED fan hub
- Six XT Hardline tubes with 16 whole fittings
- XT Hardline Bending Package
- XL8 Clear coolant
- 250 ml filling bottle
Whereas this record would possibly seem to be it covers all the things you want, there are some belongings you’ll have to have available to correctly construct your loop. The plain is a screwdriver equipment for putting in the followers, pump, and different elements. One not-so-obvious software that you could be not understand you’ll want is a warmth gun for bending the tubing. Fortunately, for those who don’t have one, they run nearly $25 USD at most {hardware} shops.
Getting your construct on
While you first open the field, there’s a great probability you’ll end up a bit overwhelmed with all the things included. As a result of it is a full equipment reasonably than a easy all-in-one answer, all the things is packaged individually. Which means you’ll have a field for every fan, the radiator, the pump, and so forth.
When you get all the things opened from the equipment, it’s time to cry at how a lot there really is to place collectively. Okay, it’s actually not that a lot, however once more, for a newbie it would really feel that method. Talking of freshmen, put together for trial and error if you begin to construct, particularly when attending to the latter steps of bending the tubes.
The very first thing you’ll need to do is draw and structure the way you need the elements to sit down. Clearly, the CPU block place is about, however deciding on the place to position the reservoir and radiator will make all of the distinction within the complexity of your bends afterward. A phrase of recommendation, the newer you might be, the easier you need to goal in your structure to be. The very last thing you need is to have a structure the place you’re making complicated bends that you just aren’t prepared for. Belief me after I say: the easier, the higher.
Professional Tip: Drawing out your structure on paper goes a great distance in the direction of making set up simpler.
It’s a sequence of tubes
After getting your structure deliberate, the subsequent step is to plan your tubing structure. As somebody who’s achieved a number of softline cooling setups, transferring to hardline isn’t any joke. I don’t need to sugarcoat issues. That is the place it will probably get tedious, irritating, and, fairly frankly, flip some individuals off. You solely get six tubes within the equipment, and changing them can get dear for those who want extra. However don’t let this scare you away, as a result of the outcomes are value it. Take your time, measure, bend, and lower.
When beginning, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. If that is your first time utilizing hardline tubing, there’s a great probability you’ll screw up in some unspecified time in the future. That shouldn’t discourage you. As an alternative, use the errors as a studying level to get higher as you progress ahead. Once more, don’t rush. Measure your distances after which measure two and even three extra instances. After you get your measurements down, it’s time to bend. For this step, you’ll want the warmth gun and endurance.
With the XT Hardline Bending Package you get a 30cm silicone rod, which you place into the tubes whereas heating with the intention to keep away from collapsing the acrylic-based tube when bending. To warmth the hardline tubes, transfer the bend space forwards and backwards whereas rotating. Keep away from holding the tubing too near the warmth gun, as you may doubtlessly burn your self and trigger harm to the tubing. As soon as it will get to the right temperature, slowly bend it into place. The XT Hardline Bending Package comes with a bending software, however I discovered it simpler to get the bends I needed by free-handing it. That’s purely primarily based on choice, although.
After you make your varied bends and allow them to cool and solidify into place, it’s time to chop. The bending equipment additionally comes with a clamp and noticed to make the cuts it’s essential to make your elements match. On the expense of feeling like a damaged document, I’ll reiterate that it’s essential to take your time with the cuts. It’s additionally vital to notice that it’s all the time higher to chop a bit too lengthy reasonably than too brief. In any other case, your tubing received’t attain the coupling sockets at each ends of your tubing run. You’ll then have to begin over with one other piece of tubing and do your bends yet again.
To put in the tubes, you’ll separate the fittings and put one half on the tube and screw the opposite aspect into the CPU cooling block/reservoir housing. Merely push the tube in, after which screw the fittings again collectively. As soon as your bends are achieved and also you’re happy together with your cuts and suits, rinse them in distilled water to filter out any particles or undesirable supplies left over.
Professional Tip: All the time do your reducing after you make your bends.
Last steps
After you have got your tubes formed and put in, you’re able to refill the reservoir. For a lot of, that is the scariest step since you’re pouring liquid into an space the place there are costly parts. Simply pour gradual and also you’ll be fantastic, although it doesn’t harm to cowl delicate parts under the reservoir with a sheet of plastic to permit for secure runoff.
Make one remaining examine to make sure your plugs are in and your seals are as safe as potential. Then, merely take the filling bottle and use it to begin filling your reservoir. At this level, you’ll need to make it possible for the one factor plugged into the ability provide (PSU) is the pump by way of the Molex connection. Disconnect each different part, like your motherboard and GPU. You also needs to set up the jumper to the 24-pin motherboard connection of your PSU.
Flip in your PSU and look forward to the primary little bit of water from the reservoir to be nearly gone, then instantly flip it off. Verify for any leaks earlier than filling up the reservoir once more. Ought to you haven’t any points, fill the reservoir once more and run the system for about 24 hours to filter out any air pockets after which lock the seals.
Lastly, cry tears of pleasure. You’ve accomplished your first customized cooling loop with hardline tubing. And now you even have the choice so as to add extra afterward if you wish to cool your GPU and even your M.2 NVMe SSD.
Corsair’s choice to easily take liquid cooling parts it already sells and bundle them up as a “Getting Began” equipment is one which makes you surprise why it hasn’t been achieved earlier than. It opens up extra accessibility for customers that don’t know the place to start. As issues transfer ahead, it’s undoubtedly an space the place Corsair might put collectively even bigger kits for much more in-depth cooling options.