Conclusion
We tested the Corsair H115i Platinum using our AIO test platform that sports an Intel 10980XE processor. When we started our adventure, we wanted to push this cooler to its absolute limits and our test bench certainly delivered that when its 18 cores were clocked to 4.7GHz. We’ll recap the performance below and see how the H115i Platinum stood up to the heat in our kitchen!
Summary of Temperatures
The Corsair H115i Platinum was able to operate at its quietest configuration and maintain a temperature of 73 degrees Celsius with our test bench running at stock clocks. As we increased the overclock, we had to increase fan speed to prevent the CPU from thermally throttling. Ultimately, we were mostly able to keep our Intel 10980XE in check at 4.3GHz down to 1000 RPM and 100% Pump. Beyond that, the H115i Platinum let the CPU hit the magic number of 98 degrees Celsius. In the Max OC test, where our Intel 10980XE is clocking 4.7GHz, the H115i was only able to keep it in check at the Max fan setting and 100% pump. This is, obviously, not the most desired outcome. However, this is only the second cooler that could even handle the most favorable conditions with our Max OC settings.
Summary of Sound Levels
At its slowest and quietest settings, the Corsair H115i Platinum started to blend in with the ambient room sound levels and we could not hear a thing. Moving up to 1500 RPM it became a bit more audible, but not obnoxious. At its maximum fan speed, 1800 RPM, it made a defined contribution to our testing environment while doing its job. This setting is where it posted its best relative performance, but that is almost certainly only due to the fact that it was spinning its fans at 400 RPM less than everyone else. Overall, this is one of the loudest coolers we have tested to date.
Final Points
We first adjusted our cooling testing methodology to test the claim of the Enermax LIQTECH II 360 since it said it could dissipate 500W+ of heat; a bold claim for sure. Afterward, we thought for a moment and realized why not make this our threshold for testing all of our cooling solutions? We would have a good standard that is going to let us have as close to an apples to apples comparison as we were going to be able to get while not going “easy” on even the beefiest of coolers.
So here we are today with another entrant; the Corsair H115i Platinum. This is a bit less beefy cooler than 360mm models but it has been a “benchmark reference point” for a lot of users. So, while our expectations should be lower, this unit has quite the reputation to live up to. That said, after putting it through our gauntlet, we see that it trades blows on the raw performance part relative to what we saw with the larger 360mm AIO coolers we have reviewed and bests the smaller 240mm coolers. Almost precisely what you would expect from a 280mm cooler based on size alone.
Things were not all roses with the H115i Platinum though. This unit struggle when it comes to its noise profile throughout testing relative to the competition. This unit is best thought of as a performance option rather than a quiet option. The biggest problem we see is that the Enermax LIQTECH II 360 bests this unit when you try and go low and slow and just barely when you go for the Max OC. If you are restricted on space, however, and can not fit a big 360mm cooler then you may well find a place for the H115i Platinum in your system. Otherwise, the 360mm options are simply better choices.
The Corsair H115i Platinum is available for $169.99 in e-tail. So, if you are in the market for a 280mm AIO solution that will handle stock clocks and your overclocking needs, while the sound is not a huge concern, the Corsair H115i Platinum is an option. If you need the absolute most capable AIO on the market, or you want a quiet solution, then you need to step up to a 360mm AIO and tweak some things to get what you want.