Corsair Hydro Series H60 CPU Cooler Review

2020 saw a number of South Asian and European countries suffer massive prolonged heatwaves. For the first time in recorded history, countries like France experienced temperatures as high as 45°C (114.6 °F).

When it gets this hot, human beings, not unlike other animals, flock to large bodies of water like beaches, rivers and swimming pools. Nothing helps you dissipate heat faster than jumping in a cool swimming pool (besides locking yourself in a freezer).

It’s way cheaper than running a fan or turning the air conditioner up. Speaking of AC units, they also effectively use liquids (a cooling fluid) to cool your room or car. That’s why it can cool your room more effectively than a ceiling fan can.

The same comparison can be applied to CPU coolers. Liquid coolers are more effective than air coolers because liquid is more thermo-conductive. In this review, we’ll explore if this is also the case for Corsair’s H60 CPU Cooler.

Corsair’s been around making high-quality computer hardware since 1994. It’s only in the last decade that they’ve started dipping their toes into liquid cooling. In this review, we’ll be looking over the Corsair H60’s design and performance.

It should be noted that this review covers the 2018 version. We’ll also go over a few alternatives you can use. Near the end of the article, we also answer a few frequently asked questions. So if you want to learn more about the CPU Cooler and liquid coolers in general, you should consider reading on till the end. Also, check out our guide on some of the most amazing CPUs for gaming.

Corsair H60 Performance

During this past summer in the northern hemisphere, places like Churu India faced temperatures as high as 51°C (123.8 °F). Of course, these temperatures are extreme but they are nothing compared to the hostile temperatures your PC’s components face when you’re running a game like Kingdom Come Deliverance or Fallout 4 on high.

If you don’t want your Computer sounding like a windy day in Chicago while it strains to run these games, you might opt for some liquid cooling. Noise isn’t the only reason you’d want to swap your air cooling out for water cooling. Liquid cooling just delivers better cooling.

We already know that the Corsair Hydro Series H60 CPU cooler will probably blow most air coolers out of the water. However, the best way to gauge a cooler’s performance is by comparing it to a similar cooler of the same price.

For the purpose of this review, we stacked the Corsair H60 against the NZXT Kraken M22 (120 mm). The NZXT is an ALL-IN-ONE liquid cooler that is very similar to the H60 both in size, weight, and price.  But is it similar in performance? No.

The Kraken M22 will maintain idle temperatures on an Intel core i7 3930k between 36°C (minimum) and 40°C (maximum). In a similar fashion, the Corsair H60 will keep idle temperatures down to 36.1°C (minimum) and 40(maximum).

Load is where you really see the difference in performance. While pushing the CPU at full load, the Kraken M22 will keep the temperature at 68°C while the Corsair H60 will keep it at 57°C. Here, the difference in performance is glaring.

While both coolers are pretty quiet. The Kraken M22 will produce 31 dBA of sound pressure while maintaining idle temperatures. This is a little less loud than the Corsair H60 which will produce 33 dBA of noise pressure while maintaining idle temps. The difference between idle and load pressure isn’t really significant, however, the Kraken M22 will produce 33 dBA of sound pressure on full load while the H60 will reach sound pressure levels of 41 dBA.

The difference in sound pressure or loudness can be attributed to the Corsair’s H60 SP fan which we’ll discuss in the design section of this review. It should also be noted that the difference in loudness can’t really be detected by the human ear. While the Kraken M22 may be quieter, it can’t compete with the Corsair’s load performance. From this conclusion, we can say that the Corsair H60 still provides great value for money.

Corsair H60 Design

It should be noted that the Corsair Hydro Series H60 CPU Cooler is a single fan AIO (all in one) cooler – also known as a closed-loop cooler. Once upon a time, only enthusiasts and hardcore PC gamers with large pockets were incorporating liquid cooling into their rigs.

Then came sealed All-In-One coolers to make liquid cooling more affordable, accessible, safer and easier to install. You get triple, dual and single radiator AIO coolers. The Corsair H60 is a single radiator cooler.

The first thing we need to note is that there’s no space or attachment for a second fan on the side or behind the radiator. If you’re looking for a CPU cooler with more personality or pizazz, this isn’t it. The pump which is attached on to the CPU has some LED lighting. However, it’s mostly white.

As you can see from its color scheme and regal design, it’s a very formal CPU cooler that takes itself seriously. Some may say it’s dull but if you’re the type of guy who values function over form, then this CPU cooler is for you. This is not to say that it’s ugly – far from it.

The radiator comes with a CORSAIR SP120mm PWM radiator fan. In terms of material and design, it’s pretty run of the mill. It uses hydraulic bearings and can reach speeds of up to 1,700 RPM.

You can upgrade the fan to something faster but it will probably be less quiet too. This is not to say the SP120 is completely quiet. It’s actually the reasons why the Corsair H60 underperforms when it comes to noise levels. While it’s advertised to only reach noise levels of 28.3 dBA, it’s significantly louder than that.

It’s a pulse-width modulated fan and Corsair provides you with excellent software that you can use to measure and customize it. The tubes are a little thick and tricky to work with. It’s like trying to style what’s left over of Coolio’s dreadlocks. You’ll need to pay attention to them when you’re installing the cooler.

Corsair is known to have a pretty decent scope of delivery for most of its products. Packaged with the CPU cooler, you’ll get a mounting kit, pre-applied thermal compound, and a quick start guide. To be honest, it’s a little less than we expected but it gives you everything you need to install your CPU Cooler.  There is no wow factor here. What you see is what you get here. It’s like a uniformed soldier reporting for duty.

Corsair H60 Design Pricing and Alternatives

The Corsair H60 is a mid-range AIO liquid cooler and is priced accordingly. At $69.99, some may even consider it a budget liquid cooler. While speaking about the H60’s performance, we also spoke about a possible alternative in the NZXT Kraken M22.

If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, but almost as classy, you can go for the EVGA CLC which costs $53.99. It’s easy to install but it may not have the same range of socket compatibility as the Corsair H60.

If you’re looking for something that may fit older CPU socket types, then you should check out the Cooler Master MasterLiquid LC120E. Priced at $59.99, which means it’s not only cheaper than the H60 but because of its RGB fan and lighting on the pump head, it also has more aesthetic value.

I can’t guarantee that it will perform as well as the Corsair H60 cooler though. If you want to expand and you’re looking for an AIO CPU cooling solution with twin radiators, add ten dollars to your budget and have a look at DEEPCOOL’s Captain 240EX. It costs $79.99 and it will outperform the H60. It also has a great range of socket compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Corsair H60 Compatible with LGA 1151?

While the previous version of the Corsair Hydro Series H60 CPU cooler wasn’t supported, the 2018 version of the Corsair H60 is compatible with LGA 1151 sockets.

Is the Corsair H60 Compatible with AM4?

Previously, in order to mount your Corsair H60 on an AM4, you were required to order a separate mounting bracket from Corsair. The latest Corsair H60 if fully compatible with AM4 sockets and it comes with all the tools you’ll need to effectively mount it.

Is Corsair H60 Good for Overclocking?

I wouldn’t say that the H60 is good for overclocking but it will keep temperatures low while you overclock. It isn’t the most ideal CPU cooler for overclocking but it’s serviceable.

Does Corsair H60 Come with Thermal Paste?

The Corsair H60 doesn’t come with a tube of thermal paste, however, you do get thermal paste pre-applied to the H60 cold plate.

Alternatively, you can check our pick of the best thermal pastes for gaming.

Does Corsair H60 Light Up?

The Corsair H60 does light up – to an extent. The part of the H60 that lights up is the pump head which is the part you attach to the CPU. It lights up white.

Does Corsair H60 Need Water?

The Corsair H60 does not need water. For users who are new to water or liquid cooling, switching over may be a little confusing because of all the terms you hear getting thrown around. Once you purchase a sealed liquid cooler like the Corsair H60, you won’t have to add water or any other kind of liquid.

You won’t even have to replace the liquid in the cooler (unless it gets damaged).

Is the Corsair H60 RGB?

Unfortunately, the Corsair H60 is not RGB. However, it does come with some LED lighting on the pump.

Is the Corsair H60 Safe?

The Corsair H60 is completely safe. Firstly, it’s a sealed closed-loop liquid cooler. These are considered to be the safest options when it comes to liquid cooling. It’s rare that it would get any leaks. If something does go wrong and the Corsair H60 leaks, it’s not the end of the world. The Corsair H60 uses non-electrically conductive fluids. So even if it does leak, your system will barely suffer any damage.

How Loud Is the Corsair H60?

The Corsair H60 isn’t very loud. While the fan is reported to only have 28.3 dBA of sound pressure, the cooler can reach noise levels up to 32 dBA, which isn’t really loud. You’ll have to concentrate to hear the Corsair H60.

If you’re looking for something really quiet, we have compiled a list of the best low-profile CPU coolers on the market.

Final Verdict

All in all, the Corsair Hydro Series H60 CPU Cooler performs well and is reasonably priced. It isn’t flashy. It’s perfect for a Goth case set up. It’s hard to find another liquid cooler priced similarly and will give you similar performance. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives that look better but are not as effective. If you want something that will perform better, you’ll have to pay more.

Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Corsair H60 performs well under load. It’s not the quietest AIO liquid cooler out there but it’s a lot quieter than most air coolers.

Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The tubes are a little thick, so you know it will last longer and there’s little risk of a leak. It’s also compatible with multiple sockets. We just wish there was space for an additional fan at the back of the radiator

Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

With the Corsair H60, you get great value for money. We can’t say that it is budget-friendly or cheap but you’d have to pay a little more to get the same performance from another single radiator AIO cooler.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Once again, it’s not cheap and you may actually do better with a good tower cooler but for its quiet cooling performance, it’s definitely worth it.