Computex 2019: Hands on with Corsair’s Hydro X custom loop hardware!

Today our team on the ground in Taipei visited Corsair's suite at Computex 2019. Corsair is really focusing on its new Hydro X custom liquid cooling hardware, and here Melissa takes you through all the different components Corsair has on offer.

In terms of its CPU blocks, Corsair is bringing two distinct models to market – the XC7 and XC9. Both sport RGB lighting with 16 addressable RGB LEDs, but the primary difference is the XC7 is designed for LGA 115x/AM4 sockets, and the XC9 is for LGA 2011/2066/TR4. Because of that, the XC7 has ’60+’ cold plate fins, while the XC9 has ’70+’. Aesthetically they are very similar with the transparent flow chamber, and both come with pre-applied thermal paste.

There's also one XG7 RGB GPU block – but this comes in 5 different varieties: to fit RTX 2070, 2080 and 2080 Ti (Founders Editions), and also GTX 1080 Ti FE and Vega 56/64 (reference). These are full-cover blocks and come with included aluminium backplates, while there is also a transparent section with RGB lighting to match the design of the XC CPU blocks.

Interestingly, Corsair has focused on making its CPU/GPU blocks as user-friendly as possible. Speaking with Hans Peder, Corsair Product Marketing Manager, he said ‘the GPU block also comes with pre-applied thermal paste, and thermal pads, so installing these parts in your system … is going to take you no time at all.'

Corsair is also offering a XD5 RGB Pump/Reservoir Combo which utilises the popular Xylem D5 pump, with a 330ml reservoir that comes with an integrated fillport. On top of this, there’s more RGB LEDs to illuminate the reservoir itself (ten of those), while Corsair has even integrated a temperature sensor to provide real-time coolant temperatures from within the loop itself.

There’s also two radiator options – 30mm and 54mm thick – and these range in size from 120mm all the way up to 480mm. These radiators have been made by Corsair in cooperation with HardwareLabs. Corsair is also providing both soft and hardline tubing options, a variety of fittings in different colours that are designed in collaboration with Bitspower, as well as XL5 coolant – currently available in clear, red, green, blue and purple colours – that is a result of cooperation between Corsair and Mayhems.

As this is Corsair, all of the RGB-enabled hardware is compatible and controllable with Corsair iCUE, and Corsair is also keen to point out its easy-to-use custom loop configurator that’s available on its website.

Corsair Hydro X is available to buy already, directly from Corsair. CPU blocks start from £69.99, GPU blocks start at £134.99 and the XD5 pump/res will set you back £149.99.

KitGuru says: It was great to get a look at all of the new Hydro X watercooling components. Sounds like we'll have to get some to Leo as soon as possible.

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