When it comes to designing an attractive closed-loop cooler, Corsair certainly does a good job. The RGB elements here work well, and the illumination is consistent. The iCUE software which controls everything isn't awful; it is a bit cumbersome, but works well enough. I personally have no real use for it, but for many users, it will likely prove to be the perfect one-stop option to control fan profiles and LEDs. Various profiles can be selected to tailor the Hydro Series H115i RGB Platinum's performance, allowing it to operate nearly silently or at maximum performance, depending on the user's needs. I just wish the cooler offered full integration with RGB motherboard software. Being locked into a single ecosystem rubs me the wrong way.

In regards to cooling performance, the H115i RGB Platinum does exceptionally well. Only a couple of coolers offer better performance in the overclocked AIDA FPU test, while a few others match it. While it doesn't leave the competition in the dust, it offers competitive performance, and limiting the fans' RPM results in only a slight loss of performance for greatly improved noise levels. In fact, only under extreme load will this latest offering begin to get loud. While the cooler does hit a maximum of 50 dBA with the fans set to 100% PWM, it drops to 39 dBA at 50% PWM, making it inaudible most of the time.

Build quality is good overall, but when it comes to the fans, it is exceptional. They make very little noise other than the sound of moving air, and their frames feel solid and durable. Unlike some fans I have sitting here, the Corsair fans don't feel like they will break from a 30 cm / 1 ft drop. Installing the cooler is even easier with this model than the previous PRO series. A revised bracket offers a much more secure mount, which is always a welcome change. Finally, when it comes to memory and graphics card clearance, the H115i Platinum continues the all-in-one liquid cooler trend of offering perfect clearance for both.

My only major gripe is the price. At $169.99, the Corsair H115i RGB Platinum is just absurdly priced. Most enthusiasts not afraid of a bit of DIY can enter the realm of custom water cooling at a similar cost. Sure, the Corsair unit is plug and play, but considering the performance on offer for the price, it is not a great value. Much cheaper available options offer similar performance for less; however, they do lack RGB LEDs. So depending on your wants and needs, the H115i RGB Platinum can be an amazing option or an overpriced one.

Overall, the Corsair Hydro Series H115i RGB Platinum gives potential buyers top-tier performance, an aesthetically pleasing design, good build quality, and functional software—if you can afford the price of entry.