Corsair RGB Elite CPU coolers get cool new fans and all-around RGB

Corsair makes a lot of different PC hardware and accessories, and it’s well known for it’s CPU coolers as well. The company just announced that it’s expanding its CPU cooler offerings again, adding the RGB Elite liquid cooled AIO series to the existing Corsair lineup. There are a few things that make these new coolers interesting and possibly enticing enough to pick up for anyone in the market for an upgrade.

The RGB Elite series features a new fan blade design from Corsair called the AF Elite that should look familiar if you’ve seen other examples of modern PC cooling fans. The blades appear thin and curved to support a total of nine blades. According to Corsair, this design allows them to provide more airflow plus a high amount of static pressure, offering the best of both worlds. Furthermore, these fans feature PWM for variable speeds and a silent zero RPM mode that can be set for when temps are cool enough that active cooling isn’t required. The fluid dynamic bearings also mean you can expect years of silent operation and an extended overall lifespan.

Mo’ flow

In prior years, there was more of a difference between airflow-oriented and static pressure-oriented designs, but more manufacturers are now able to offer fans that do both relatively well. Airflow fans are great for pushing air in and out of cases. Static pressure fans are best for mounting to radiators and other heatsinks where there’s more resistance from obstructing objects. From what we can tell from the specs, the AF Elite fans lean more towards airflow, which Corsair’s marketing also highlights.

Fans are just one piece of the puzzle, though, when it comes to CPU liquid coolers. The pump and radiator are equally important for moving heat away from the processor. Corsair didn’t disclose the exact pump it’s using in these coolers, but we use and have tested other models from Corsair, including the standard H100 and LCD Elite models, which operate cool and relatively quiet at competitive prices.

That rainbow glow

The most visually striking part about this cooler is the pump head cover that features an all-around RGB illumination zone. As you can see in the press release photos, it gives the 16 RGB LEDs inside the pump head a cool 3D look that you can sync in iCUE across your peripherals.

We also noted a few more upgrades that simplify the installation process and aesthetic over previous models. You’ll now notice that Corsair powers the pump head and transmits data through a single USB Type-C connector as opposed to using two separate cables in previous versions. The tubing length has also been extended slightly to accommodate more build layouts.

The Corsair RGB Elite CPU AIO coolers start at $139.99 USD, come with a five year warranty. CPU compatibility includes the LGA 1700 bracket for Intel 12th gen CPUs in addition to AMD AM4, Intel LGA 1200, 1151, and more. Additionally, Corsair confirmed this cooler will work with AMD’s AM5 brackets for the upcoming Zen 4 Ryzen CPUs due out later this year. This makes the cooler versatile and ready to work with any build. You can also buy the fans individually if desired. Corsair AF Elite fans come in 120 and 140mm sizes and in either black or white. For more info, check out the product page on the Corsair website.