Introduction

Computex 2023 saw Corsair introduce its iCUE Link ecosystem of products that use a USB bus to have more data going back and forth. This allows for more devices to be connected to a single controller hub while also incorporating useful sensors which can be monitored via software and be used to set up performance metrics for fans and cooling solutions alike. We have covered a few examples of the ecosystem already in the form of the iCUE Link XG3 GPU block, the iCUE Link QX120 RGB fan, as well as the iCUE Link H150i RGB CPU cooler. Today we get back to custom watercooling and examine one of Corsair's recently launched CPU blocks.


Corsair loves its long product names and the iCUE Link XC7 RGB Elite is no different, although I suppose it helps distinguish this newer CPU block from the older XC7 RGB Pro we saw before. The XC7 RGB Elite comes in two color options—the stealth gray I have here and a white variant seen in the image above—allowing users to color coordinate their DIY PC parts easily, given Corsair tends to have all-white versions of nearly everything sold under its brand. It features a new cooling engine that appears to be optimized for Intel's LGA 1700 and AMD's AM5 platforms and, as with the iCUE Link GPU block we saw before, has an integrated temperature sensor you can use to set custom curves for fans or pumps tied to the Corsair ecosystem, as well as create system shutdown safety rules too. Let's examine the block further in our review today which begins with a look at the product specifications in the table below. Thanks to Corsair for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp!

Specifications