TheOverclocker Issue 46 | Page 41

RGB Platinum, as it’s CORSAIR’s best performing AIO cooler and if not that, is undoubtedly the most refined. Compared to the H115i RGB PRO, what the Platinum offers is mostly aesthetic, yes there is a new - larger cold plate and better fans, but it’s mostly the addition of LEDs that you’ll notice. All this works through iCUE which continues to improve with every iteration and is now among the best if not the best all encompassing component and peripherals control software I use. In terms of CPU support, this cooler’s support list is as comprehensive as ever, supporting every socket in the desktop space for the last decade and longer. Assembly is as easy as it’s always been. You don’t need any tools to attach the cooling block to the board and it can literally be done in minutes. After all this time, CORSAIR still has the simplest and easiest mounting mechanism around, In terms of differences between this unit and the RGB PRO models, it's primarily the cold plate. As stated earlier, it’s not only larger, but squarer in shape so could possibly have some thermal benefits for ThreadRipper users. For the rest of us, the performance recorded actually places this on par with the H150i RGB PRO, previously the best performing Hydro cooler in CORSAIR’s line-up. The differences in recorded performance are mostly within margin of error and in a material sense there actually isn't any difference. The H115i Platinum does edge out the H150i at the very top by a degree or two as most. By default the fan profile is set to QUIET mode,likely how you’ll make use of this cooler. Switching to the Performance setting makes it audibly louder and the temperature will reflect that with a 1 to 2’C drop. That said, I don’t think it’s worth the additional noise especially when you consider just how efficient the cooling is at the default setting. Overall solid performance as expected. It would be interesting to see just how much better the performance can be with this cooler if CORSAIR were to include their thermal paste with these units, if not for performance but to help with the one time use thermal pad. Overall few AIOs have this level of refinement and it is something that is to CORSAIR’s Issue 46 | 2019 The OverClocker 39