Corsair Hydro Series H55 Liquid CPU Cooler Review

I must admit I have been totally taken aback by how good the Corsair H55 actually is. I know that CPU cooler performance varies by platform and architecture, Ivy Bridge thrives on the ability to remove heat quickly due to high transistor density and low overall heat output whereas X58 thrives on the ability to remove large amounts of heat due to a medium transistor density and very high overall heat output. Clearly in using Ivy Bridge we therefore get results that order in favour of CPUs that can remove heat quickly, so closed loop coolers are likely to bring more favourable results than air coolers. But with that considered the performance demonstrated here by the Corsair H55 is still outstanding and if you are operating an LGA 1155 system then you will see exceptional results with the H55.

The Corsair H55 costs £53 which is an enthusiast price point, but it costs less than some premium and well-respected CPU coolers that performance worse such as the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2 (£60~) and the Sapphire Vapor-X (£50-£60). However, even though the performance in our results is fantastic and the price is very competitive the H55 is not a perfect product.

My major concern comes with the choice of fan. I still feel Corsair have made a huge mistake in not offering either a low noise adapter that caps the fan RPM at 1000-1200 or a 4 pin PWM fan. It would only cost a small sum of money for the end user to acquire a low noise adapter but it would cost Corsair even less to do it en-masse for all of the Corsair H55s and I feel it is a must if they want to give this product a competitive edge over other all in one liquid CPU coolers that equip PWM fans. Another minor concern comes from the fact they have mounting holes for an additional fan but do not include the required fan screws. Again this would cost Corsair very little, and it is this the attention to detail that sets companies apart from the crowd – Corsair need to start thinking about these things if they want enthusiasts to buy more of their products. Other than those two concerns I am generally very impressed.

Corsair have produced a product with excellent performance, excellent acoustics when paired with a low noise adapter, a competitive price, an attractive appearance and a mounting kit that is solid, simple and effective. The Corsair H55 is a fantastic entry into the world of CPU cooling if you are looking to overclock an Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge system with minimal hassle. If you’ve got a budget of around £55 to spend then you won’t be able to get much better than this, just don’t forget the low noise adapter!

The Corsair H55 doesn’t quite match the H100i in terms of extreme performance but it definitely offers better value for money. Consequently we think the H55 is deserving of the eTeknix Bang for Buck Award.