After two previous reviews of CORSAIR Hydro X products, I had an inkling of what to expect from the Hydro X Series XD5 pump/reservoir combo unit. User-friendliness would be a high priority, and the overall package would be attractive for the money. The former is something CORSAIR definitely got right—beginning with the unboxing experience of everything having been packaged separately, although perhaps a bit too much so given the number of plastic ziplock bags. Multiple different installation options are also ready to go out of the box to accommodate different user preferences, and integrated dRGB LEDs coupled with iCUE continue a trend of a rich ecosystem for lighting customization, as long as you pay for the CORSAIR controller, of course. It is the latter I am not convinced holds true by itself.

At $155, the Hydro XD5 costs more than a lot of its direct competition. Indeed, some from yesteryear offer a similar feature set with an identical pump, integrated lighting over an included controller, and a glass construction at similar or lower prices. The Swiftech Maelstrom series comes to mind immediately, but it has been hard to find for purchase for a while now. Working with a global market does mean that a product can only be competition if available. Still, at $155 (+ the controller), the Hydro XD5 does not directly enjoy the luxury of offering the same value for money as the CORSAIR water blocks from before.

One could then argue that the provided accessories counter this, including the temperature sensor and installation options you do not have to pay for separately. This is where the company makes up for the higher initial cost, especially compared to some other direct competitors, including Watercool. There are many who use the Xylem D5 pump, and it remains a plus in each and every such implementation, including this one. With it as part of this overall package, the Hydro XD5 pump/reservoir combo is a good addition to CORSAIR's product inventory and merits a recommendation thus.