Packaging and Accessories

I received one of fifty special kits sent in two boxes, one of which contained a Pelican case which had custom-fit foam around the core components of CORSAIR's Hydro X series—the CPU block(s), GPU block(s), and reservoir/pump unit. I figured TechPowerUp readers might be interested in seeing this, but note that retail units will be sold individually as seen below.


CORSAIR has adopted a black and yellow color scheme for most of their new products, DIY or otherwise, and the Hydro X Series XG7 RGB (simply XG7 henceforth) GPU water block is no exception. The packaging gets a plastic cover, and a matte cardboard wrap helps with aesthetics and information alike, especially given the retail channels these will be stocked in. On the front is the company and product name, a printed render of the block with the LEDs in action, and the GPU compatibility to ensure no buyer's regret on that front. More renders, marketing features and specifications greet us on the back and sides, and in multiple languages as well.


The outer wrap is just that as flaps on the side reveal a two-part packaging with an inner cardboard box that is more bare in design. The CORSAIR logo is on the front and certification on the back, which also tells us more about the source of said packaging, and more single flaps on the side help keep the contents inside in place during transit. Opening the box, we see the GPU block packaged snugly in between a shaped piece of thick foam, and the accessories are all underneath to ensure the block is not hit by anything either.


CORSAIR includes a handy quick-start guide (online copy here), again in multiple languages. Do go through the guide if this is your first time with a custom watercooling loop since CORSAIR has done a good job of keeping it user friendly. There are also two acetal BSP G1/4" threaded stop plugs, installation hardware involving 20 metal mounting screws, a metal locking nut, and a plastic plug tool to help install the stop plugs. The low-profile nature of the stop plugs included means there is not a lot of grip available, but you may still want to try finger-tightening them first before resorting to the plug tool as seen above.


In an increasingly rare move these days, CORSAIR is also including a nice aluminium backplate in the package. Many aftermarket cooling companies either sell them separately at an additional cost or rely on first-party backplates if directly compatible. There are definitely instances where people can use the stock backplate with different screws and a third-party water block, but having a supported backplate included is another case of CORSAIR wanting to have the Hydro X series be user-friendly first and foremost. The backplate is full length in that it covers the entire PCB on the back, with cutouts for SLI fingers (as it still was the case with the GTX 10-series) and a pattern on the back to complement the branding.