Corsair H100i Installation

IanB001 · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:05

Hello

I want to replace my old CPU heatsink and fan with something less noisy and which would allow me to overclock my CPU. I thought I would get a Corsair H100i but I have some concerns.

I have an Asus Rampage III Extreme motherboard which only has one USB header that is currently connected to the USB ports on the front of the case. I understand that the Corsair requires a USB header.

Is there any such thing as a USB header splitter, or am I out of luck?

If there is a way around this problem, do you have any advice regarding the installation of this unit, especially around BIOS settings and such like. I don't want to fry my CPU.

I will be installing this in a Coolermaster HAF X case, if that makes any difference.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Ian.

ExRayTed · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:13

Why not get an AIO without the USB requirement? Raijintek or NZXT do good AIO coolers - I have both in systems at home

freddie64 · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:31

Isn't the USB only for Corsair Link software?

You should be fine to run it with the fans attached to the CPU fan header on the motherboard (with a splitter if needed).

If you want the USB conected you could get a adapter cable. (Akasa USB Cable Adapter Internal to External Connector 40cm).

IanB001 · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:45

ExRayTed said:
Why not get an AIO without the USB requirement? Raijintek or NZXT do good AIO coolers - I have both in systems at home

Do you have any recommendations?

I did, briefly, consider the EK Preditor but it doesn't support my motherboard.

Idleman · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:46

You can buy a 9/10-pin usb internal header y splitter cable. Or, as already mentioned, buy another brand AIO and save a tenner.

5960xNvidiaGamer · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:51

freddie64 said:
Isn't the USB only for Corsair Link software?

You should be fine to run it with the fans attached to the CPU fan header on the motherboard (with a splitter if needed).

If you want the USB conected you could get a adapter cable. (Akasa USB Cable Adapter Internal to External Connector 40cm).

This, you don't have to plug in any USB on the corsair units at all.

IanB001 · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:54

freddie64 said:
Isn't the USB only for Corsair Link software?

You should be fine to run it with the fans attached to the CPU fan header on the motherboard (with a splitter if needed).

If you want the USB conected you could get a adapter cable. (Akasa USB Cable Adapter Internal to External Connector 40cm).

Indeed, that's what I thought the USB was for, so that the fan speeds can be controlled?

I was reading the instructions for the Corsair on their web site seem to indicate that the pump should be connected to the CPU 4 pin fan header and the fans to a 3 pin fan header.

Wow!! An internal external adapter cable. That should work if I have a free USB port. There never seems to be enough USB ports.

ExRayTed · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:57

IanB001 said:
Do you have any recommendations?

I did, briefly, consider the EK Preditor but it doesn't support my motherboard.

Out of the 2 I have the NZXT Kraken is the better cooler, especially when you change the stock fans (they're a little loud at load)

5960xNvidiaGamer · 17 Jan 2016 at 11:57

IanB001 said:
Indeed, that's what I thought the USB was for, so that the fan speeds can be controlled?

I was reading the instructions for the Corsair on their web site seem to indicate that the pump should be connected to the CPU 4 pin fan header and the fans to a 3 pin fan header.

Wow!! An internal external adapter cable. That should work if I have a free USB port. There never seems to be enough USB ports.

Any fans that are used with the Corsair units can be plugged in anywhere, they don't need to be connected to the Unit. I have 4 fans on my h100 all connected to the motherboard.

IanB001 · 17 Jan 2016 at 12:34

Idleman said:
You can buy a 9/10-pin usb internal header y splitter cable. Or, as already mentioned, buy another brand AIO and save a tenner.

There is such thing as USB header splitter? Nice. Couldn't find them on Overclockers though, only place I could see them was in the US.

Still considering a different cooler.

Keeping my options open at the moment.

flowrider99 · 17 Jan 2016 at 15:38

From what I have read online if you want quieter than air cooling is the way to go. Water cooling gives lower CPU temps but the trade off is more noise. For less than the price of the H100i you will be able to get a near silent air cooler.

5960xNvidiaGamer · 17 Jan 2016 at 16:03

I just use quiet fans on my h100 and its silent.

flowrider99 · 17 Jan 2016 at 16:07

5960xNvidiaGamer said:
I just use quiet fans on my h100 and its silent.

But for additional cost, although cost isnt normally the driver for most enthusiast PC builders.

Uaon · 17 Jan 2016 at 16:20

What you can do and what I did with mine when I had one was set up the led fans etc with link installed and usb plugged in etc then simply unplug the usb and remove corsair link and you will find all your setting's including led colour stay intact, even without the usb cable and link software present.

5960xNvidiaGamer · 17 Jan 2016 at 16:34

flowrider99 said:
But for additional cost, although cost isnt normally the driver for most enthusiast PC builders.

Well there has to be additional costs anyway if buying a corsair AIO as the fans are crap.

wam7 · 19 Jan 2016 at 01:41

IanB001 said:
Hello

I want to replace my old CPU heatsink and fan with something less noisy...

If you want less noise and good performance then it is the wrong direction to go with Corsair CLC's. People who put quiet fans on them (like I once did) are loosing out in the performance stakes and it turns them into average/poor coolers. Corsair CLC's need high pressure/rpm (loud) fans to get good performance but with that comes a lot of noise; no matter which brand of fan you put on them. If you want a semblance of silence with great performance then you'd be much better off with a Noctua D15 and the ilk.

Dave2150 · 19 Jan 2016 at 16:44

What about pump noise on these AIO's? I owned a H110I GT for a day before returning it, as when my system was at idle, the pump was the loudest thing in my whole PC, quite annoying.

I wonder which AIO has the quietest pump?