I was actually disappointed with this... 

That GPU cooler looks like something that should have been crossed out on the white board during product development.

Woodworkers use a system called "biscuits" to join two pieces of wood together. They look kind of like guitar picks, made of wood and you place a specially shaped hole in the two pieces of wood, glue the "biscuit" and join the two pieces with the biscuit. This sounds like where the name comes from.

Another problem is when you put these new QX fans on a radiator. The QX cable connects by pushing strait into (180 degrees) the fans using out of the box cables. That takes up space on both sides of the rad. So if you use smaller cases (Lian Li mini in my case) and put in a 360 rad, it will NOT fit. Those QX cables take up a couple of inches and will hit the case wall not allowing the rad to fit. You may be able to get around this by ordering those QX cables (black) with the 90 degrees connects. Another problem was on a RAD where the water fittings come out. You may not be able to connect the cables to the QX fans. It is real real tight. So chaining the fans may not work. Also, buy the 4 way splitter extension with an extra short QX cable and a couple of those QX cable with the 90 degree connects. You will probably need it.

I love the idea of the Link cables, but OMG that price is just nuts. Corsair priced themselves out of the usual user and placed this in the enthusiast arena.

Technically with the usb port, using on on row does leave you space to use the other row which would be the other port, so might be a cost save, but might also be a convenience since it leaves a port open for another single row header / device.

It's a good step in the right direction. You can clearly see they're trying to bring custom loops to the market of people who are on the edge of taking that plunge. It's incredibly expensive. Speaking as someone who has 10 corsair fans in their system, the amount of wires routed in my case is insane. It's a mess at the best of times and I single-handedly kept a zip tie seller in business for another year. The more makers move towards these types of solutions and the more competition there is in the space, the better.

I always thought they called them biscuit connectors because they resemble a common woodworking joinery style... called biscuits where they attach in a very similar way.

biscuit connector is actually pulling from the wood working world, there is what's called a biscuit joint where you slot the wood on each sider and add a biscuit that will go into each slot and be held in with glue. so the wood people were the first hungry ones.

I remember everyone including Jay was sponsored for the new Link connectors but regular buyers dropped interest when they were finally revealed and ended up being extremely overpriced and proprietary

The usb connector isnt a "cheap" move, its actually a good thought out move. Its so you can use the other half of the usb, it should be the standard for it to be that way if something is not using all the pins. I hate needing to repin a double for two devices.

My only complaint with the link stuff I have is that all of it should come with more cables, not including cables with the single fan packs and only including 1 or 2 cables with the multi packs and some hydro x stuff is outrageous especially with how the cables are priced! Other than that I’ve loved it, looks great and performs great, I have 4 qx120 fans, xc7 (non lcd, so it is link) link block, and xd5 link pump

I built my new rig with these fans. 11 total. 3 on the top radiator, 3 on the side, 3 on the bottom, and 2 exhausting out the back in a Lian Li Dynamic EVO XL. Looks great and was a snap to install. No issues whatsoever once I read the instalation intructions, which I didnt do at first LOL

“Someone was clearly HUNGRY, CLEARLY” 😂😂

I would like to see a build with the current release of Hydro-X. And if Corsair does make a newer revision to this setup, a build for that. The idea seems like it is a great one, but it also seems like not a whole lot of time was spent on building mock ups to eliminate wire clutter.

I wish I could say I was surprised by how awful that GPU block is, but let's face it: it's Corsair. They sell low-end & mid-range products at high-end prices to consumers who don't know better. That's their entire business model.

The USB connector is a good idea, not being cheap, but to allow when you have only one side of a USB header used on motherboard, and you don't want to waste two effective USB slots with one device. I setup just last week my new AIO and the Controller both had the two deep keyed USB headers, however I spliced the two into one to preserve one header spare on the MB. I wish actually I knew of this model as I would of used it, the time to cable tidy I spent was mostly for stupid fans.

This World of Warships advertisement still makes me smile; Phil pokes his head around. “yeah”.

I think it'll look pretty goofy having those big cables running through the system, but that depends on how well they can be hidden. It's basically a full blown USB cable running across my motherboard. I'll hold my judgement until I see a build using all LINK components though. I love the technology and overall design (except the GPU block) and look forward to seeing this technology evolve.

I bit the bullet and got the fans, XC7, and XD5 a few weeks ago. Its my first custom loop, so I wanted things to as smooth as possible. Love the easy cable management, but it definitely came at a cost. So far no complaints. My Alphacool GPU block is what’s giving me the most trouble.

1:47 I think the term "biscuit" was derived from woodworking. The biscuit is a piece of wood chip used in "joining" 2 pieces of wood.

About the 'biscuit connections'. It is visually very similar to the 'biscuit joints' in contemporary wood working. So I strongly suspect that is where the naming comes from rather than food.

I remember the original video when they first announced the central hub. I'm not surprised by the dead ends: the power draw on the AIO in the first video didn't allow enough power to the other fan(s). It's a good step and they are moving in the right direction. I'm just not sure I'd be purchasing their content right now for my next build partly because this may be my last one and I'm looking to go out on top if possible.

Jay: Corsair couldn't make something open source because this is a new thing and these types of cables & links didn't *exist* yet But Corsair could have just created the open standard themselves, duh! Instead we know if we choose these products we'll be 100% locked into Corsair's hyper-Xpensive ecosystem until the bitter end. If they made decent fans it might not be the worst thing ever, but they make some of the absolute worst fans out there Proprietary hardware/connectors/cables/adapters = bad Proprietary and *required* software often = bad too

After buying the iCue Link system, they need to include 90 degree cables in it FULL STOP. I had to fight so hard to get the iH170, the three 140's in the front and the one 140 in the back to connect due to the cable coming straight out and the Lan Cool III being very tight in space given what I was cramming in it. (like my motherboard has pressure on it because I was short a few mm to make the iH170 and the other seven fans fit correctly). In all honesty, after my experience, I am going to want nothing but 90 degree cables except for the ends coming off the hub. Even my three 120s on the bottom need the 90 degree cable because the original cable wouldn't allow the 360mm fan plate to sit at it's left most position. (I know I know, 1st world problems!) Another thing to note is I can't stand that I'm not allowed to rename the order of my fans in iCue. I can move them around in the mural setting to the correct order but that was a pain and when I finally was done doing that, iCue updated to a new way to identify where each fan is in your system but the colors are so close together that it was very hard to tell and almost useless. Still useful but not as much as it could be!

The USB C decision DOES make it easy to check your LCD for failure before install.

The GPU block looks horrendous. I do like the display on the CPU block, though. It's one of those features AIOs had over custom WC. However, I wish they would've increased the height of the CPU block or something, so that the cable header disappears within it and only the cable itself would be visible. I don't know, I hate it that every company has their own software suit, and all of them are incompatible to one another. Would be nice to see Jay's opinion on the recent Alphacool blocks and their upcoming Apex Metal Fans.

Thanks for the Hydro X review! As an early adapter of the link hub with the RGB Fans and AIO, I was planning to build my 1st water cool system with the Hydro X ecosystem! But as I watch your video, I'm kind of shocked how poorly though out those are! In turn, I'm going to wait for Rev 2.0

I suspect they’ve called it a “Biscuit connector” due to the methodology in cabinet making (carpentry) of strengthening joins with a “biscuit”

The reason why people want an open hardware is that, when Corsair abandons this product line, and they will abandon this product line for the next shiny fad, these products can still be continued to be used!!! How many times have we seen this happen with Corsair alone? Open hardware standards make investing in the ecosystem a safer bet.

I actually like that it's not a keyed USB internal connection because sometimes I don't have enough full "keyed" USB headers and a lot of motherboards have just the single non-keyed header for that exact reason 🙂.

here in Scotland having worked as a kitchen fitter, we would use jointing biscuits to join the worktops and give them strength as usually it was a corner joint. so biscuit connection is quite an accurate codename.

Cooler Master came close to having a nice non-proprietary argb system with their Gen2 devices as they use the standard 3-pin 5v connector, but they don't have the nice quick connect feature for linking fans together without the cable mess. But even so, it's still proprietary because only linked CM gen2 argb devices work together with the special gen2 controller.

If I was budgeting out a system, I would be much more inclined to just get a 4080Ti or a 4090, rather than a 4070Ti and a custom loop system.

I agree, I am very disappointed that there is no pass through the corsair link devices. When they showed off the fans being daisy chained with magnets I was fully expecting the devices to have a daisy chain. So you could go to reservoir to rad fans or something.

I bet Lian Li sues them like they did Phanteks. I just spec'd out an entire build using only Corsair parts. They don't make certain things so in my cart is liquid cooling parts, case, RAM, fans, PSU, mouse, keyboard, headset, ect. It was $3490! I still need a motherboard, processor, and graphics card!!! They are proud of their stuff.

Great video Jay, Another thing that should be suggested to Corsair is to make a cable connector with 2 90degree connectors in both ends. In my case I found it would be easier for me to connect in one of my rads if both ends were 90 degree connectors.

That GPU block looks like something I drew in 3rd grade for "innovation day" which everybody laughed at me for.

French toast for breakfast, then tea and biscuits for after!!🤣

I would like to do a waterloop but with braided hose. Looks nice. It should work right ?

Hey i have question: Why my monitor doesn't go off after my pc shut down ? it's on and looking for signal

0:52 I really love that transition

Not surprising that they managed to mess it up. The problem with all these different connectors just makes it all the more reason why i stick with fans that have 0 RGB. Any system i build i do not use RGB for this very reason. Even some of the best thought out implementations still have their own issues.

Jay has always been my favorite tech guy for learning practical applications. Steve has always been my fav for seeing how practicable those applications really are pushed to the absolute thermal limits.

I was thinking about the metal components in the water block being in contact with water. Even after being submerged in water, this curious sand stays dry. To produce magic sand, companies start with standard sand, and silicon dioxide, and then add a very thin layer of a chemical called trimethylhydroxysilane. This coating makes the sand hydrophobic, or water-repellent. Is it possible to extend the life of the pump block with trimethylhydroxysilane?

I do understand it's a little more tricky to properly plug in the USB to the header this way but it leaves the other half free for you to do other things with. You'd otherwise lose a perfectly good USB port.

GPU cooler looks like some unbranded device from 2004 you'd find in a local PC shop. LCD waterblock is cool but not worth the price

Jay: "there was no communication device created, there was no cable existing to allow it to be open" USB C: "am I a joke to you?"

That World of Warships ad with Jay as a Naval Officer gets me every time. Bet he LOVES that ❤😊

Definitely agree with what you said about the lack of pass through connections and also the inlet/outlet ports for coolant, seeming to be cheap.

When testing a pump/res combo I can't be the only one to use two fittings and a hose? Fitting on pump outlet and res inlet, then a hose between. Fill it up half way and put on the power. Then you se if the pump works and lights if there is any? Am I doing it wrong? Do you need to make a whole test loop?

Jay's dad jokes +1 LEVEL UP +1

Ive had Boards with Single row headers that I could use with these type of usb connector. It freed up the Standard Headers for other peripherals. If you RGB a lot those Headers tend to get filled up pretty quick.

I was excited for this to come out to simplify my current corsair soft tube setup. Now i dont think i will

May have been asked or stated. But can you use the usb c port on the link radiator to connect to the usb c port on the cpu lcd cooler 9:16

I don't see why the wires have to be so think when you can get very thin CAT6E cables that handle high speed data and voltage. Do the Corsair cables actually need that much shielding?

Biscuit connector probably comes from the woodworking joinery method. Dowels have been used for centuries, & lately they have been using biscuit joints.

I don't hate the size of the cable as much as the size of the connector. If they would just make the shroud hide that part the CPU blocks would look much better. There's no saving the GPU block.

They use that half size connector so you can still use the other port. Each USB2 connector is for two ports.

I have a question I just ran geek bench for my CPU 5900x when i looked up the score it suppose to get it said single core 2166 and multicore 11883 my multi was 14389 so way over but my single was low my singe was 1706 what does that mean?

that GPU waterblock looks a basic centrifugal fan from an old GPU

can you attach 4 fans for a 480mm rad? been looking everywhere for an answer.. been seeing that you have to use the cable for the 4th

the pass through i can see on all rgb things but im sure the pump and lcd screen draws quite a bit of power and the picture to the lcd could be an issue as well

"We're sparing you from taking 2 seconds of your time to route cables neatly. That'll be $100,000 and one instant RMA cycle please."

I can't unsee the Sesame Street aliens saying "yup yup yup yup yup yup yup yup yup yup yup yup, uhhhhhhh huhhhh" in the face of that cooler.

2.4k in 8 minutes.. You're the greatest!

Lmfao, "Infinite Power!" Not just funny in your head Jay, that was funny.

Hi Jay. CORSAIR has solved the cable management problem in my i8100 pre-build. I can only see the RGB lights thanks to the very dark tinted side glass. I can see the AIO tubing only because they pass near the RGB rear fan. You can't be concerned about cable management when you can't see the cables. A simple solution to a complex problem?

I don't wanna imagine the cost of a full corsair ecosystem. Probably a ridiculous $1300. And then, whenever they feel like it, boom, they release the next gen and current gen gets abandoned with no further support/updates.

Hey jay what is the air cooler you got on your motherboard?

So happy i went and built a stealth SFF build that is mounted under the desk so i dont have to mess with RGB and cable management nightmares anymore 😊

I really really wanted this. Corsair is charging insane amounts of money for this. Just absolutely insane.

would you recommend on msi increase gpu voltage for better performance ?

I actually went and bought the starter fan kit and 3 separate fans for my upcoming water cooling build. It sucks the PCIE cable to power is only 7 3/4 inch long. Corsair said they would not entertain making a longer PCIE cable either. I guess Corsair think builders are going to place the link at the very bottom close to the PSU? Builders are going to place higher up in the case. Another grip is the cables to connect to the link isn't long enough.

I currently use that Fan Control software for all of my various fan speeds (I love the ability to use a mix sensor to react from). so the big question I have for this whole Corsair Link stuff is can I still control the fan speeds through Fan Control or would it all have to be inside iCue? I feel it'd be all inside iCue and then I'd lose the ability to have a mix sensor and I'd be sad

Where can I buy the lian li fan controller for the infinity fans? I can't seem to find it.

Lcd screen aside doesn't all the regular hydro x stuff only have 1 single rgb cable? So the link doesn't really kill clutter?

I rebuilt my partner's PC recently. Part of the reason was to replace the 10 Cooler Master Halo fans with Corsair QX fans. Expensive yes, but they work better, look amazing & it is so nice to reduce the 20 cables to 2 to the hub & a couple of short daisy chain ones that are tucked away out of sight. I'll stick with the J2C CPU block thanks & they can absolutely keep that GPU abomination.

Is putting magnets in your case good?

Love it thank you

the connectors a bit like usb c then because they can be used either way round

Jay becomes the new Iron Man. Half the movie is spent putting just the right amount of thermal paste on arc reactor.🤣

What are your thoughts on a collaborative open-source CTI based on behavior? CrowdSec..?

I own a full Corsair set up but my next build will be all based around price to performance Corsair products are extremely overpriced as I’ve bought fans like arctic etc etc I’ve noticed your paying for nothing but the Corsair symbol

😂😂😂 hungry for piece of the pie!!!! Great times all around

HI So if upgrade to the new fans, what do i do with my old LL 120'S ?

I gotta say, as much as I really do like the look of the link fans, they dropped the ball on all of the hydro-x stuff, looks and usefulness.

Do those fan speeds and temps show up in AIDA64?

Biscuit connector naming has been taken from wood joinery. A biscuit is a flat dowl used in woodwork.

Jayz have you ever consider building a pc that is powerful but power efficient ? Also we know that you have your favorite thermal paste but what is you to go thermal pad for nvme drives or video cards chips ? Good work i enjoy the content and you have a great team.

I will never NOT see that face on the pump now! LOL! this was a really cool video and I'm excited to see them improve this design. I might use it in a few customer builds too!

What really sucks is that I have a future build coming up and I've always preferred the look of the Corsair Reservoir overall other brands but I would hate to have to buy a separate IQ hub for just a Reservoir in an EK Loop

I think missed the point those are endpoint connections so the water block would sit in front or near a rad with fans so the block would connect to that fan the chained to rest fan, same goes the water reservoir, it’s a stop/end of connection. If you have the I’ll fans connected at from of the case then your reservoir

I want to see the clear CPU block incorporated on one of the corsair AIOs

So is my pc to old its a r5 3600xt with 16 gig ram and a 2060 12 gig from evga is it time to build a newer set up as it still playing all games at good fps to me as i only run at 1080p

I've purchased to many corsair products with problems and headaches during the RMA process. My NV7 build I used all Phantek stuff and had zero problems.

Seems great when implemented in the fans, but only half measures when it comes to everything else in their proprietary ecosystem. Maybe the next version will be more fleshed out.

I'm interested to see how the GPU cooler performs in terms of temps, especially the 4090 version

I would have thought Corsair of all companies would try to mimmick EK when it comes to waterblocks and watercooling accessories, especially since they originally came out with these products as a competitive advantage to EK products in the beginning. Not only did they make the anesthetics look really cheap, even though being in the $200 price point, but how many people are going to actually want any of these products in their systems, especially first-time builders. I would look for other alternatives and just leave Corsair sitting on the shelf. Come on, Corsair, get it together. You need to go back to the drawing board and rethink these products. For real!

Actually, a biscuit is a woodworking term. You connect birds laying flat together with a biscuit. So the term fits.

I just finished my build with the new LINK stuff (only gpu cooler not because...), and my biggest problem was that the fittings om my radiator where blocking the ports off my fans. So i had to cut off access rubber of the cable end so it could fit... i surprised me that this was the case, in RnD this should have been a problem...