Corsair A115 Air Cooler Review: An Exciting Test of Performance and Convenience
I was extremely excited when Corsair reached out to me and asked me to review their new CPU Cooler. At that time, there was a heated debate in my circles about whether liquid coolers were necessary or if high-end air coolers could suffice for top-end CPUs. This opportunity allowed me to thoroughly test the Corsair A115, which is an impressively large unit. You’ll see its true size in the video below.
Now note this is my first official review of an Air Cooler, so be gentle…
Initial Impressions and Design of the A115 CPU Cooler
The Corsair A115 came out a while ago, but I waited for the perfect testing scenario. This cooler is massive, and its sheer size might be surprising when you unbox it. The design is functional and aesthetically pleasing, with copper plates that flow seamlessly into the radiator. There’s no RGB lighting, but it includes two 140 mm x 25 mm fans.
Compatibility and Specifications
Make sure your case and motherboard can accommodate this cooler. It supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156; AMD AM5, and AM4. The fan speed ranges from 400 to 1600 RPM, and the unit weighs 2.2 kg. For all the details, you can look here.
Mounting and Convenience
The mounting mechanism is user-friendly, allowing easy installation and removal. The fans slide and latch into place, making the process straightforward. I used an open-air test frame, but with proper airflow orientation, heat buildup shouldn’t be an issue if used in a case.
Testing Environment
I tested the cooler on a 7800X3D CPU, known for its gaming performance and heat challenges, using a Rock X670 Taichi Carrara motherboard, 32 GB DDR5 RAM at 5600 MHz, a Crucial P5 Plus SSD, a Cooler Master 1200W PSU, and a Radeon 7900 XT GPU.
Performance Results with CPU Cooler Comparisons
I compared the Corsair A115 with the PC Builder Hydro 360mm and the Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL360 Flux. Here are the key results:
Temperature Monitoring:
These results show that the Corsair A115 can compete closely with 360 mm liquid coolers, which is impressive for an air cooler.
Conclusion
This was my first official air cooler review, and the Corsair A115 performed admirably, handling heat efficiently without any thermal throttling. Its ease of installation and use makes it a strong contender against liquid coolers. Priced at around $99, it competes with entry-level tier 1 liquid coolers.
In summary, the Corsair A115 offers a great balance of performance and convenience. While liquid coolers might provide steadier temperatures initially, the A115’s robust design and user-friendly features make it a worthy addition to any build. For air cooler enthusiasts, this is a product to consider. It has now become a permanent part of my test rig.
Score: 8.1/10
Scores are based on various factors such as design, performance, relevance, and price at the time of review
TL;DR – While the A115 may be on the pricey side, it’s a definite consideration for Air Cooler enthusiasts.
