Corsair revisits CPU cooling: introducing the Hydro Series H50

[LuckyNV]

It's been a long while since memory-specialist Corsair served up a CPU cooler. Over three years, to be exact, and the Nautilus500 - launched back in February 2006 - has all but been forgotten.

Those who know Corsair, however, will be aware that the company continues to set its focus on the enthusiast market, and 2009 looks set to be the year in which it hopes to make a big impact in high-end cooling.

Earlier this month, the California-based outfit kick started its Hydro Series range with the launch of the Hydro H30 water block for Dominator and Dominator GT memory modules. In the coming days, it'll be expanding on that range with the COMPUTEX launch of its Hydro H50 - a CPU cooler for Intel and AMD processors.

Thanks to the kind folks at Corsair, we've managed to take a quick look prior to the official launch - and we've got pricing and performance numbers, too. Before we get to that, though, let's take a look at the all-new Hydro H50.

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=18619&page=1

For £50 it looks rather impressive and might be a great starter kit.

[RejZoR]

I almost always follow this unwritten rule: "Best air cooler is usually better than worst water cooler."
If you go for the water cooling, take something better tghan these entry thingies.

[YMAA]

120mm thin radiator = maybe enough for a low-clock Wolfdale. This product clearly isn't designed for high-end CPU overclocking, although the packaging will certainly say it can handle it. No, this is for people who want to say they watercool their computer without a DIY kit to impress friends who don't really know much about PCs. Nothing wrong with that, but it's clearly not an enthusiast level product.

Who knows, they may make one with a larger radiator someday - probably still won't be enough to take the enthusiast market by storm or make people give up their MCP355/MCR320/Apogee GTZ combos, but enough to sell well to those who don't want the hassle.

[cegras]

Well, knowing Corsair they must be aware of how poorly the LCLC performs. If they want (my) business, I'm confident they will have tweaked it a bit.

[Vinas]

Would be nice for a NB loop... After seeing the mounting kit it's really not possible

[SoulsCollective]

In all seriousness, the Nautilus was not a bad product for the time. I'll hold off on judging until we see more reviews.

[MomijiTMO]

Don't care, it's competition to TT's line so it's all good . Take TT down!

[naokaji]

Sorry, but dirt cheap Watercooling just does not work.

Sure, it will be fine for cooling a nb or some ram, but never enough for a oc'd I7 running 100% load 24/7.

[SKYMTL]

That Asetek unit definately isn't the best out there but the pump is pretty good.

[tajoh111]

That Asetek unit definately isn't the best out there but the pump is pretty good.

The pump doesn't matter(aside from reliability) when the loop is that small.

All the company needs to get right is the radiator.

Its pretty sad cool it has become so popular when their only good product is the eliminator, which costs more than good water cooling.

[Redbeard]

Hey guys, give it a chance. I've personally tested this against high end aircoolers and found it works better. It's not the same old LCLC unit, we've worked with Asetek for a new coldplate/pump design and the with the included fan we've been able to beat a high-end aircooler like the TRUE 120 by 5-10C on a Core i7 in every chassis we've tested in.

I'm not saying it outperforms a $300 watercooling loop with a triple radiator or anything, but for $79 US it should be the best cooler in the market.

I understand not believing my numbers - but check out the reviews when they start trickling out. I think you guys will be pleased.

[zalbard]

For £50 it looks rather impressive and might be a great starter kit.

Yep, looks fine. I don't think it will be able to beat every air cooler out there, but it should be about as good as True or better if you place the radiator properly and use a well-performing (with maxed RPM that is) fan.

[Leeghoofd]

Would be nice to test this kit and trying to see if there's room for improvement

[Manicdan]

Hey guys, give it a chance. I've personally tested this against high end aircoolers and found it works better. It's not the same old LCLC unit, we've worked with Asetek for a new coldplate/pump design and the with the included fan we've been able to beat a high-end aircooler like the TRUE 120 by 5-10C on a Core i7 in every chassis we've tested in.

I'm not saying it outperforms a $300 watercooling loop with a triple radiator or anything, but for $79 US it should be the best cooler in the market.

I understand not believing my numbers - but check out the reviews when they start trickling out. I think you guys will be pleased.

just looking at the surface area of the radiator, i dont see how this can really do too much damage to 70$ heatsinks. but also given its cost, why not add a second rad, or a double rad, for a bit higher price and really kill every air cooling option for maximum OC, or for silent cooling of high TDP chips?

[LuckyNV]

I think the point is maximum compatibility for internal rear mounting which pretty much every case has

[clayton]

If it beats my NZXT IBP-Z001 (I really hope it does!), I'll buy it!

[SKYMTL]

The pump doesn't matter(aside from reliability) when the loop is that small.

All the company needs to get right is the radiator.

IMO, the pump is the MOST important component in a closed loop system. Without the right pump, people will be RMAing their units left, right and center.

[Manicdan]

IMO, the pump is the MOST important component in a closed loop system. Without the right pump, people will be RMAing their units left, right and center.

he did say "aside from reliability". so if the pump isnt being RMAed, then it dosnt matter, in his words

[ownage]

This unit probably beats the Nautilus-500, so it should be a decent product. And it will look very clean like this:
http://recore.info/images/Simple_watercooling.jpg

[Cooper]

This is great kit for Silverstone SG05 or any other big enough mITX cases

[3NZ0]

Sorry, but dirt cheap Watercooling just does not work.

Apparently, this one does.

Sure, it will be fine for cooling a nb or some ram, but never enough for a oc'd I7 running 100% load 24/7.

12cm radiator for a nb or ram? wtf?

Red beard and hexus say it can do i7.

I might pick one of these up just for the hell of it for a bit of testing. Never know, might end up using it full time.

[RVWinkle]

hexus say it can do i7.

The only thing I see on Hexus is saying they're quoting Corsair's numbers. The numbers they give are horribly vague to the point that they're obviously intentionally misleading.

[LaMpiR]

Are there any test where is compared to TRUe 120? I really don't like this discussion where there are no facts and many different opinions based on not that much....

[Redbeard]

Are there any test where is compared to TRUe 120? I really don't like this discussion where there are no facts and many different opinions based on not that much....

The numbers on Hexus are exactly that. The "High Performance Air Cooler" is a TRUE 120 1366 kit, with included fan.

Tested in our new full-tower case.

[clayton]

Wow that's good to hear. This is one monsterous cooler for the price.