Upgrade Your Corsair AIO with the iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit
Contents
The PC hardware landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with component manufacturers expanding into the accessory market. This competitive drive has led to innovative cooling solutions, most notably the integration of LCD screens into AIO (All-In-One) liquid coolers. ASUS led the charge with the ROG Ryujin in 2018, followed by Gigabyte’s AORUS Liquid Cooler in 2019, and even accessory specialist NZXT joined the fray with the Kraken Z63 in early 2020. Corsair, a leading name in PC peripherals, has now entered the arena with its Elite LCD Display Liquid Coolers, but they also offer a unique solution for owners of existing ELITE CAPELLIX coolers: the Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit. This kit allows users to modernize their current cooling setup without investing in a completely new AIO. Let’s delve into what this upgrade kit offers.
Compact Powerhouse: The Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Close-up
The Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit is remarkably compact yet impressively powerful. It transforms older generation AIO coolers like the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix into modern, information-rich centerpieces. The kit arrives in a compact box, showcasing the LCD screen against a sleek black background with a contemporary triangular pattern.
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Packaging
The back of the box highlights key features: a 2.1-inch IPS display with a 480×480 resolution, high brightness, GIF support, and system information display with customizable effects through the iCUE software.
Unboxing reveals a compact, square-shaped unit with rounded corners, consistent with Corsair’s AIO cooler design. The primary material is matte plastic, and the screen is protected by a slightly recessed glass cover.
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Components
The kit includes durable, braided cables for enhanced longevity. These connect to the Corsair Commander Core, often integrated into high-end Corsair cases like the 5000X RGB and 7000X RGB, for fan and lighting control.
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Cables
The display receives data via a USB connection to the motherboard.
Installation and Performance
Installing the Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit onto a compatible cooler, such as the Corsair iCUE H170i Elite Capellix, requires updating the device’s firmware to the latest version. After that, the process involves disconnecting the existing cables and removing four hex screws on the cold plate cover to detach the lighting module.
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Installation
The upgrade kit then attaches using the same mounting points, and the LCD screen magnetically connects to the water block, allowing for easy removal for cleaning or future upgrades.
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Magnetic Attachment
The LCD screen boasts impressive brightness and clarity, easily visible even through tinted tempered glass panels. The wide viewing angles of the IPS panel allow visibility from various positions.
Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit – Display
While the 30fps refresh rate might seem low for users accustomed to higher refresh rate displays, it doesn’t significantly impact the overall experience.
Conclusion
The Corsair iCUE ELITE LCD Upgrade Kit offers a compelling and cost-effective way to upgrade existing Corsair ELITE CAPELLIX coolers. It brings modern aesthetics and functionality without the expense of a brand-new AIO. This innovative product offers a unique solution for users looking to enhance their PC setup.
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