Installation

Installation of the CORSAIR XC9 CPU block is extremely simple on the Intel LGA 20xx HEDT platforms, as I expect is also the case with AMD sTR4. Make sure you have the correct mounting backplate and associated mounting hardware on and begin by simply applying some thermal paste to the CPU IHS (or not if you intend to just use the pre-applied paste). Maneuver the block over the mounting holes around the CPU socket and simply tighten the locking nuts in diagonal sets of two, alternating between them until you run out of thread. This is easily the simplest installation to date, an advantage due to the socket-specific nature of the block and the mounting hardware being a variant of the EKWB Supremacy MX block from before, which it shares some manpower with. The locking nuts have inward-curved indents to add in a comfortable grip to tighten/loosen them, and be sure to connect the cable to a CORSAIR Commander PRO or Lighting Node PRO if you wish to use the integrated RGB lighting, which would in turn take an internal USB 2.0 header and SATA connection for power and control.

Lighting

Speaking of which, here's the light show that greets you when the cable is connected and powered on. It is a rainbow wave lighting effect that does a good job of showcasing the individually addressable nature of the 16 RGB LEDs, and we can also see how and where the light comes through the block from the top and sides alike.


I will go over iCUE as it pertains to the Hydro X series in the final build article, but it works as expected provided you let the driver know what exactly is connected to the device. I used a Lighting Node PRO here, which has two channels, and a drop-down list allows for the Hydro X CPU block to be chosen. Both the XC9 and XC7 share identical lighting support, and an on-screen render helps visualize the various lighting effects that are immediately reflected in the block.


Here is a look at some of the various lighting options, be it static or dynamic. I was impressed with the fairly-true-to-color white these LEDs were able to reproduce, and the downward-facing LEDs with the light diffusion from the nylon make for smooth lighting without harsh, discrete light sources visible when seen straight through or even at most angles inside a case. As with anything compatible with iCUE, lighting can be configured to match with other products collectively.