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Cool, Stylish, and Easy to Install
Review Summary
The Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite is a powerful and stylish CPU water block with digital controls for lighting and temperature monitoring. It cools efficiently with its advanced design and is easy to install, especially on AMD setups. The RGB lighting looks great, but the lack of an included hub means extra cost for non-Corsair users. While it’s a bit pricey, it delivers strong performance and a premium feel.
Hours Tested: 6
Overall
-
Quality - 9/10
9/10
-
Design - 9/10
9/10
-
Performance - 9/10
9/10
-
Value - 8.5/10
8.5/10
Pros
- Excellent Thermal Performance
- Stylish Pump Cap
- 24 digital RGB LEDs
- Digital Connectivity
- iCUE Link System Design
- Hexa-Flow Cooling Engine
- Integrated Sensor for coolant
- Convenient Installation
- iCUE Link Software
- Intel LGA1700/1851 and AMD AM5 Support
- Can be operated without software
Cons
- High Price
- Thermal Sensor Logging only possible with software
- No iCUE Link System Hub in the box
- No extra thermal paste
I am testing a CPU Water Block from Corsair which is XC7 RGB Elite. This block is also available in an LCD model. Display on the block with two ports, but how? Corsair has implemented the two ports on the side of the frame leaving the complete top area visible.
This block features a Hexa-Flow cooling engine with a triple-inlet nozzle design over 120 fins assembly on the cold plate. This is the heart of this block to deliver the efficiency required on modern platforms. This block is compatible with Intel LGA1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. It also features 24 LEDs for backlighting that is controlled via iCue link software.
The block integrates a thermal sensor to report the coolant temperature.
Key Takeaways
- The Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite delivers strong cooling performance, features digital connectivity for easy control, and is super simple to install.
- You should buy the Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite if you want excellent performance, easy installation, and a seamless experience with the iCUE ecosystem.
- You should not buy the Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite if want an iCUE hub as well, because the block itself is not bundled with one.
Here are the key specs:
| Product Category | CPU Water Block |
| Cold Plate Material | Nickle-Plated Copper |
| Fluid Chamber Material | Nylon |
| Color | Stealth Gray |
| Ports | 2x BSPP G1/4” |
| Max Operating Temperature | 60ᵒC |
| Weight | 0.462 |
| Port(s) | iCUE Link Port |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
How Is It Different?
The Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite CPU Water Block features a hexa-flow cooling engine and 120 fins design cold plate for effective heat transfer. It uses iCue Link digital connectivity and packs 24 digital RGB LEDs for vivid lighting effects. It has an integrated thermal sensor for coolant temperature.
Packaging And Unboxing
The cooler is shipped inside a cardboard box. This box has Corsair’s standard black and yellow color theme. There is a transparent two-piece container inside the main box that has the contents safely placed inside. The following are provided:
- 1x CPU Water Block
- 2x Intel Mounting Brackets
- 2x AMD Mounting Brackets
- 1x Intel Backplate
- 1x Sticker Sheet for AM4 Backplate
- 1x iCUE Link Cable
- 1x Warranty Guide
Design
It is time to take a look at the block. I don’t open the blocks before testing. Once testing is completed, the block is opened to check for internal layout. This is done to ensure the factory configuration for testing.
I am showing the top view of the block. You can see the stealth gray color on the main frame. The block is quite lightweight as it does not use a metallic structure. Mostly it is plastic and nylon. The block has diffuser lining with Corsair and XC7 branding. It has 24 LEDs underneath for backlighting.
You can spot a nylon/plastic distributor with an inlet on top and hexa spray on the base over the cold plate. The cold plate extends away from the distributor. The two ports are on the side of the main frame. This is done because this block is also available in LCD configuration.
This block comes equipped with two G1/4” BSPP ports. The port towards the connector is a dedicated Inlet port and the other one is a dedicated outlet port. Pay attention to this as it is important for the internal layout of the cooling engine.
Looking at the underside of the main frame, you can spot cutouts showing the diffuser for backlighting on the lower area of the block. This is done for aesthetic purposes.
This block has one iCue Link connector port on one side of the frame. You can connect the bundled iCue Link cable to this port. Please note that it is optional. Not doing this will not affect the thermal performance but you will only lose the lighting control and integrated sensor reading.
Corsair did not provide iCue Link System Hub in the packing box. It seems like they are assuming that only Corsair users will buy this water block to remain within the Corsair ecosystem. On the other hand, adding that hub and cables would have increased the cost of the block beyond competition killing its value.
This block has a nickel-plated copper base with a large surface area. It comes with a pre-applied XTM70 Extreme thermal paste. This is Corsair’s flagship thermal paste on the market. However, there is no spare thermal paste tube in the box.
You will be required to buy a thermal paste on the next maintenance cycle of your loop. The base is secured with 8x pointed screws. Undoing these will open the block.
How Does The Cooling Engine Work?
The coolant enters the dedicated inlet G1/4” port and from there, it goes to the distributor. The distributor is made of Nylon material. It has triple-inlet nozzles on the top. The coolant is split into these three nozzles.
The coolant then flows to the hexa-flow part of the jet plate or distributor. It gets evenly sprayed on 6 splitters directly over the cold plate. The entire fluid chamber is filled with coolant coming from the cold plate. It then does to the outlet port toward the other components of the loop.
The distributor has 3 inlet nozzles that intake coolant from the inlet port. The same distributor has six slits on the base that sits right on top of the cold plate. You can see drops of coolant. This is because the block was opened after the testing.
The cold plate has 120 fins forming a dense fin stack for effective heat transfer. The finstack has more area compared to the distributor. You can see dedicated cutouts in the main frame under the inlet and outlet ports.
The main chamber has a gasket that sits between the main chamber and the inset portion of the cold plate forming a tight seal so that coolant does not leak from the main frame. The four anchor points hold the distributor once inside.
Installation
Corsair has simplified the installation of this block. The mounting brackets come equipped with pre-installed screws.
You can see that AMD mounting brackets are installed on the base of the block. Installation is similar to Corsair’s liquid coolers.
The above picture shows the iCUE Link cable connectivity with the block. I suggest connecting the cable before installing the block particularly if the connector side faces the PCIe slot.
Here are the steps to install this block on the AMD AM5 socket:
- Clean the IHS of the CPU.
- Install AMD mounting brackets on the block.
- Connect the iCue Link Cable to the block.
- Place the block over the socket so that the threaded portion of screws coincides with the socket standoffs.
- Tighten the screws diagonally for even mounting pressure.
- Now, that block is installed, you can connect the fittings and proceed with your loop.
Corsair does not include the iCue Link System hub with this block. You would need to get that hub if you are doing a loop outside Corsair’s Ecosystem. I have used the RX120 fans’ hub for this testing.
Digital RGB Lighting
I have used iCUE link software to control the lighting.
iCUE Link Software
I have given detailed coverage of iCUE link software in other contents of Corsair products. The general design and flow are the same hence I am not going into the details here. The software was working flawlessly as the block synced well to the RGB lighting and sensor readout.
Testing
The following configuration is used for thermal testing:
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- ASRock X870E NOVA WiFi
- GSkill Trident Z NEO RGB 32GB 6400MHz CL30 DDR5 kit
- Intel Arc B580 Graphics Card for Display
- WD SN850 500GB NVME SSD
- Fractal Design ION+2 860W Platinum PSU
- Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open frame layout
- Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite Block
- Raijintek Forkis Elite Block
- Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black Fans
- Alpahcool NexXxos HPE-45 Full Copper 360mm Radiator
- Alphacool Eisbecher Aurora D5
- Alphacool Apex VPP Pump
- Alphacool EPDM Tube 16/10 Black
- Alphacool HF 16/10 screw-on nozzle 90ᵒ rotatable G1/4
- Alphacool HF 16/10 screw-on nozzle 45ᵒ rotatable G1/4
- Alphacool Eiszapfen 16/10mm Straight fitting
- Alphacool HF Sleeve G1/4 female to G1/4 female
- Alpahcool HF Angle Adapter double 45ᵒ rotatable G1/4
- Alphacool Eiszapfen quick release coupling set G1/4
This is the final build:
Here is the settings table for testing:
| Settings | PBO Enabled |
| Clock (MHz) | Auto |
| Voltage (V) | Auto |
| PBO | Enabled |
| Thermal Paste | Noctua NT-H2 |
| Thermal Paste Application | Dots Method |
| Test Run Time | 30 minutes |
| Idling Time | 10 minutes |
| All Fans Speed | 100% PWM Duty Cycle |
| Pump Speed | |
| Stress Software | CINEBENCH R23.2 |
| Monitoring Software | HWINFO64 |
Test Result
The Corsair iCue Link XC7 RGB Elite has a fantastic performance. There is only a 1ᵒC difference between the two listed blocks but it is still a win for the Corsair block given its look and feel, RGB lighting, integrated sensor, and good performance.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You are looking for a high-performance flagship block: Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite is a high-performance CPU water Block. This block not only performs well but it has got the form as well.
✅You want to experience digital connection: Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite uses digital connectivity to monitor the sensor and customize the digital RGB lighting.
✅You prefer convenient installation: The Corsair iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite is so far the best block that I have tested in terms of overall installation. You can set it up in just two steps over the AMD AM5 socket.
✅You like the Corsair ecosystem: This block is designed for seamless integration in Corsair’s ecosystem. However, you can still use it as a standalone block.
Dont Buy It If
❌You want an included hub: This block does not come with an iCUE Link system hub. This means either you are already in Corsair’s ecosystem or you are willing to spend more to buy the iCue Link system hub and its related cables.
Final Words
Corsair XC7 RGB Elite is a high-performance CPU water block that features iCue Link digital connectivity and hexa-flow cooling engine design. It is also available in LCD configuration which is why Corsair has moved the inlet/outlet ports from the middle to the side of the main frame.
This block has a stealth gray color which blends in well and features a classy look with a premium feel to it. There is a large transparent cover on the top showing the inside view of the block. The block comes equipped with 24 digital LEDs for vivid backlighting.
This backlighting is also visible on the sides of the main frame near the under area. The block has two G1/4” BSPP ports. One port is a dedicated Inlet and the other is a dedicated outlet port. Pay attention to this configuration for optimal performance.
The distributor has triple-inlet nozzles that spread the coolant over the jet plate which has six slits through which the coolant is even spread over the cold plate. The cold plate has 120 fins forming a dense finstack. The base is nickel-plated copper and comes with pre-applied thermal paste.
The installation of this block is super convenient. You only need 2 items for the AMD AM5 socket and it can be installed in two steps. This block supports Intel LGA1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. There is no extra thermal paste provided in the box. Similarly, this block does not come with iCUE Link System Hub.
This cooler has a price tag of USD 104.99 after a discount. This is still a bit steep price given the prices from competition. This block packs a sucker punch and offers a top-notch cooling performance. Corsair offers a 3-year warranty.
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[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
Get In Touch: hayyan@tech4gamers.com
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