Thermal Performance

Test System

Test Methodology

A Swiftech MCP35x2 pump, an Aquaero 6 XT controller, and a Black Ice Nemesis GTX 480 radiator with Noiseblocker NB-eLoop B12-3 fans complete the loop. The GPU is not placed in the loop to make the only source of heat the CPU and, thus, the CPU block itself. Average flow rate is set to 1 GPM and calibrated in-line temperature sensors are used to measure the coolant's temperature.

Everything required is placed inside a hotbox, and the ambient temperature is set to 25 °C. Thermal paste cure time is taken into account and three separate mounts/runs are done for statistical accuracy and to remove chances of any mounting-related anomalies. For each run, a 30 min AIDA64 load test is used, and CPU core temperatures are measured using the same, with the average core temperature recorded at the end of each run. A delta T of CPU core and loop temperature is thus calculated for each run, with an average delta T that is then obtained across all three runs. This way, the cooling solution is taken out of the picture.

Test Results

One of the issues I had with the CORSAIR Hydro XC9 was that I had to test it with my older CPU block test setup using Intel's aging x99 platform even though recent CPU blocks are better optimized for newer CPUs and their IHS geometry quirks. With the Hydro XC7, I was waiting for the new test system to be up and running, and things are generally close here even considering the current leaders are full metal blocks. For what CORSAIR intends to be a more value-oriented product and not necessarily one attempting to get that extra few tenths on the leaderboard, the great equalizer of thermodynamics meant the Hydro XC7 takes a solid middle place.