We’ve already taken a look at Corsair’s superb H100i Hydro series CPU cooler. You can read that review here. However, we are now going right to the other end of the Corsair Hydro series by taking a look at the new H55.
The Corsair Hydro series has been more or less entirely revamped in the past few months with new variants of all coolers that include either better tubing, better pumps, better fans or all of those improvements. The H55 is right at the lower end of the new Hydro series just above the H50 and H40 which are both very similar products. Put in simpler terms the H55 is an improved version of the Corsair H50 so will bring the benefits of all-in-one liquid coolers but without the size or price premium of the H80i and H100i. It also represents a maturation of the all-in-one liquid cooler concept that should give better performance with a smaller size compared to previous generation liquid coolers.
Corsair’s H55 features a 27mm-thick 120mm radiator, new and improved flexible rubber tubing, a single 120mm fan and an improved mounting system. Like most other Corsair Hydro Series products the Corsair H55 is manufactured by Asetek. More specifications are available here but now lets move onto to the review.
I can’t say for sure but apparently the included TIM is of very good quality. I feel Corsair should have bundled these units with one of their excellent SP120 series fans.
I agree to an extent. It definitely needs a PWM fan, the SP120 or AF120 fans would of been ideal but even something cheaper with a lower fan speed would of just been better. I am not sure how good the included TIM is, we always use Gelid GC-Extreme because it keeps consistency and is the best TIM on the market
I’m not sure I agree with your idea of a cheaper low speed fan but I do agree wholeheartedly with your choice of TIM.
When you compare any of the Corsair or similar water cooling solutions to and equally or lower priced heatsink/fan, the heatsink/fan cools better, has lower noise and can’t leak water. Who actually buys these water cooling systems when they are inferior? It doesn’t make any sense to me especially with the know hardware damage that has happen when thes leak.
Well in my opinion the H55 is clearly offering a lot of performance here on Ivy Bridge. I understand the concerns about leakages, but what you have to consider is that if you install the product correctly and handle it appropriately, it will probably never leak. The risk is minimal but yes you are right it does still exist. As personal preference, I’d much rather have a good dual tower heatsink with 3 silent low RPM fans but AIO water loops do represent something more flexible and more compatible with most cases on the market. yes you don’t get as much bang for buck, but for some reason they are in fashion.
My plans are to buy another water cooled or liguid cooled system and as far as the price and performance the Corsair H55 would be great choice but I also have my eys oe Corsiar H100i! So I guess I got a decsion t mae! Masurering for clearnce in my csae will be the first thing I have t do to seeif the H100i will fit then I will able to decide then!