MANUAL | QUICK START GUIDE

CORSAIR iCUE LINK XC7 RGB ELITE CPU water block

CUSTOM COOLING CPU WATER BLOCK WITH RGB AND TRANSPARENT FLOW CHAMBER

XC7_RGB_ELITE_Main_visual
Hydro_X_Series_Logo_608x180_Cropped CORSAIR_iCUE_LINK_Color_Logo_max-1000x400_Uncropped

BEFORE YOU START


IMPORTANT NOTICE:

 

This Quick Start Guide is a general installation guide and does not cover specifics of various motherboard makes and models.

 

CORSAIR recommends you thoroughly leak-test your custom cooling system for at least 24 hours to ensure that the system is securely sealed and operating reliably. CORSAIR warranty does not cover any hardware damage resulting from poorly executed, improper and otherwise hasty assembly of your custom water-cooling system.

 

Disassembly of CORSAIR Hydro X Series products is highly discouraged due to the complex design of components. Such action may result in irreparable mechanical, electrical or chemical damage that may void the warranty.

 

For an exact and up-to-date product compatibility list, please refer to the CORSAIR website.

 

NOTE: iCUE version 5.5 or higher is required to control the smart features.

Please download the latest version of iCUE from www.corsair.com/downloads.

NOTE: iCUE LINK System Hub is needed in order to use the XC7 RGB ELITE CPU water block.

Learn more about iCUE LINK System Hub from CORSAIR iCUE LINK System Hub.


PACKAGE CONTENTS


XC7_WaterBlock

A. 1x XC7 RGB ELITE Water block

Intel_Mounting_Bracket

B. 1x Intel LGA-1700 mounting bracket

AMD_AM4_5_Bracket

C. 1x AMD AM4/AM5 mounting bracket


Intel_Backplate

D. 1x Intel LGA-1700 CPU backplate

iCUE_LINK_SLim_90_cable2

E. 1x iCUE LINK 90° cable 600mm

AM4_5_Backplate_Adhesive2

F. 1x AM4/AM5 backplate adhesive


PREREQUISITES (NOT INCLUDED)


Screwdriver_G

G. Phillips head screwdriver
(AM4/AM5 socket only)

iCUE_LINK_System_Hub_H

H. iCUE LINK System Hub

iCUE_Version_I

I. iCUE version 5.5 or higher


Operating_System_J

J. Microsoft Windows 10 or higher

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INTEL LGA-1700 INSTALLATION


1. INSTALL THE INTEL LGA-1700 CPU BRACKET


The XC7 RGB ELITE may be installed in any direction, there is no performance penalty for installing the product rotated by 90° or 180°.

1a. Install the Intel LGA-1700 bracket by pushing both sides into the slot on the pump until secure (Figure 1).

NOTE: It is important that the LGA-1700 retention bracket be evenly secured on all sides before installation.
XC7_Intel_Bracket_Installation

1b. Remove protective film from the self-adhesive side on (D) Intel LGA-1700 CPU backplate (Figure 2).
1c. Place the backplate with the self-adhesive side behind the motherboard. Align the holes as in the diagram below (Figure 3).

Intel_LGA-1700 CPU Backplate


2. INSTALL THE XC7 RGB ELITE

2a. Remove the TIM protective cover from the underside of the water block. Avoid touching the thermal interface material.
2b. Place the XC7 RGB ELITE onto the motherboard (Figure 1*).
2c. Secure the XC7 RGB ELITE onto the motherboard by tightening the screws by hand until you reach the end of the thread. Tighten the screws evenly, preferably in a cross-pattern (Figure 2*).

Installing_The_XC7_RGB_Elite

AMD AM4/AM5 INSTALLATION


1. INSTALL THE AMD AM5/AM4 MOUNTING BRACKET

Install the AMD AM5/AM4 bracket by pushing both sides into the slot on the pump until secure (Figure 1).

NOTE: It is important that the AMD AM5/AM4 retention bracket be evenly secured on all sides before installation.
XC7_AMD_Bracket_Installation


2. PREPARE THE MOTHERBOARD FOR INSTALLATION

Remove the existing AMD AM5/AM4 mounting brackets by unscrewing four (4) Phillips-head screws.

Removing_AMD_Brackets_4


3. INSTALL THE XC7 RGB ELITE

OPTIONAL: If the original backplate does not stick to the motherboard (i.e. has no adhesive side), please use the included dual-sided tape to secure the original backplate to the motherboard as shown below (Figure 1).
Dual_Sided_tape

3a. Remove the TIM protective cover from the underside of the water block. Avoid touching the thermal interface material.
3b. Place the XC7 RGB ELITE with the pre-installed original AMD AM4/AM5 backplate onto the motherboard (Figure 1*).
3c. Secure the XC7 RGB ELITE onto the motherboard by tightening the screws by hand until you reach the end of the thread. Tighten the screws evenly, preferably in a cross-pattern (Figure 2*).

Installing_XC7_RGB_Elite_AMD

FITTING AND TUBING INSTALLATION


1. INSTALL THE CORSAIR XF G1/4" BSPP FITTINGS

Install the two (2) appropriate CORSAIR XF G1/4" BSPP threaded-type fittings (not included) into the water block ports and tighten them by hand. Note the prescribed INLET and OUTLET as shown on the image below. Note that the INLET is always located nearest the connector on the external surface of the water block.

Installing_Fittings_XC7


2. INSTALL THE TUBING

Install the appropriate tubing for your CORSAIR XF fitting type and secure it by locking the ring to finalize installation of the water block to the water-cooling loop. Use the appropriate securing method and tubing when using fittings other than compression fittings. Do not forget to leak test the system.



CONNECTING AND USING THE INTEGRATED SMART FEATURES

NOTE: iCUE version 5.5 or higher is required to control the smart features.

Please download the latest version of iCUE from www.corsair.com/downloads

To use the smart features of the XC7 RGB ELITE CPU water block you must connect the included 90 degree iCUE LINK cable from the iCUE LINK header on the CPU block to an iCUE LINK System Hub.

iCUE_LINK_Connection

Is this XC7 RGB ELITE water block compatible with my motherboard?


The product supports most of the LGA-1700 and AM4/AM5 motherboards on the market with a few exceptions which are mostly Mini-ITX form-factor motherboards.



Can I use the XC7 RGB ELITE as a standalone part?


No, this is a water-cooling cold plate for your CPU which requires a complete custom water-cooling system, including a standalone pump and a radiator. For more information, please visit Hydro X Series page.



Can I use the XC7 RGB ELITE with aluminium water-cooling equipment?


No, you cannot. The cold plate is made from nickel-plated copper and should not be mixed with aluminium.



Is the flow direction important?


FAQ_Flow_Direction_XC7

Yes, it is. The XC7 RGB ELITE works best with coolant entering via the INLET port. However, the product will operate with reversed flow direction, albeit with reduced cooling performance.



Can I reuse the pre-applied thermal paste on the XC7 RGB ELITE water block for re-installation?


Re-installation of the XC7 RGB ELITE water block will require you clean off the pre-applied thermal paste and apply a new layer of thermal paste. We recommend using CORSAIR XTM70, sold separately.



What thermal paste is used on the XC7 RGB ELITE?


CORSAIR XTM70 Extreme Performance Thermal Paste. Learn more.




WARRANTY


Warranty_3

HYDRO X Series Core products (CPU and GPU Blocks, Pumps, and Radiators) have a 3-year warranty.


LEGAL


© 2023 CORSAIR MEMORY, Inc. All rights reserved. CORSAIR and the sails logo are registered trademarks of CORSAIR in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product may vary slightly from those pictured.