Corsair H60 vs H100i
Just like the trend with SSDs today, self-contained liquid coolers have become a must-have for many high-end system builds. Compared to the traditional air coolers, the self-contained liquid coolers are far more effective and efficient in taking away excessive heat from your CPU, ensuring stable maximum performance without the risk of overheating. Now, installing a liquid cooler in your PC has become much easier than before. No need to make a custom build; Corsair has made several models of self-contained liquid coolers that are ready to be installed right away. Two popular models are Corsair H60 and Corsair H100i. Since Corsair H100i is quite more expensive than Corsair H60, what is exactly the difference between them?
Design
If you put the two models side by side, you can immediately tell the difference between the two. Corsair H60 only possesses a single SP120L high-performance fan, whereas Corsair H100i has a pair of SP120L high-performance fans. Of course, Corsair H100i is quite bigger and bulkier than Corsair H60. So, before you go for the additional fan, you need to make sure first whether your computer has enough space for the big cooler guy. If there is not enough space, then the single fan option is the only sensible choice. Each of the two models’ fans has a 3-pin connector, but Corsair H60’s pump has a 4-pin connector whereas Corsair H100i’s pump requires the SATA connection for power and a 3-pin connector for RPM reading. Both models have magnetic brackets that make them very easy to mount.
Features
Corsair H60 is a pretty simple cooler without additional features, except that it has two monitoring methods: TACH and PWM. On the other hand, Corsair H100i only has the TACH monitoring method, but there is the integrated Corsair Link functionality that enables you to monitor the coolant temperature and adjust lighting and fan speed profiles using the Corsair Link Dashboard software.
Performance
Both models work very well just like what they are intended for. Of course, Corsair H100i has the higher cooling power, but you may not need that much of power. Corsair H60 is sufficient for overclocking under 1.3 Volts. With 2000 maximum RPM and 54 CFM airflow, it is able to keep the heat low on your CPU. It is also quieter. However, for overclocking above 1.3 Volts, then Corsair H100i is indeed more recommended. At this level, you need more cooling power, and Corsair H100i can give you just that with 2700 maximum RPM and 77 CFM airflow.
Corsair H60 vs H100i
For overclocking under 1.3 Volts, you should choose Corsair H60. It is less expensive, yet it has decent cooling performance and works more quietly. It is also more compact. But, for overclocking above 1.3 Volts, you need Corsair H100i.