A Closer Look

The radiator isn't all that different from the smaller offerings, but it is a big boy considering it's a triple 140 mm with a total length of 457 mm. The tubing and fittings are standard, with no fancy decorations or changes compared to other Corsair all-in-one liquid coolers. As for the fins-per-inch (FPI) count, it sits at 19–20, which is in line with both of Corsair's previous offerings and their competitors. Considering 140 mm fans typically move more air but have less static pressure, I am a bit surprised they stuck with roughly the same fin count. But considering the performance it offers, it works out just fine. The tubing is 450 mm long.


The pump block is an octagonal design with four long and four short sides. I find it visually more interesting than most AIOs, mostly because I am not a fan of rounded edges, so if you like things a bit boxier, the H170i Elite Capellix will fit your tastes. The inlet and outlet fittings are of the swivel kind and have a decent degree of rotation. Meanwhile, the wiring is on the top side, making cable routing a bit easier. The pump top can be replaced with another one included in the box if you are looking for a different visual aesthetic or, more accurately, extra ARGB bling. The base does have machining marks, and while I couldn't feel them, it really should have a better finish at $230. Like its sibling, the H150i Elite Capellix, the H170i has the same pump and thus comes with 33 Capellix ARGB LEDs for illumination.


The ARGB fans are Corsair's ML RGB 140 mm offering, and they have a PWM range of 400–2000 RPM with airflow rated at 97 CFM. The fans have a mostly square frame, which should reduce blowback in regards to airflow. Again like its sibling, the fans use standard ARGB LEDs, so even with this fancy new unit, Corsair hasn't pushed Capellix LEDs into their fans just yet.