Introduction
Corsair iCUE LINK review
Corsair's been busy with two new products; however, the biggest innovation this year is an entirely new iCue LINK. Corsair's Innovative Cable Management Solution, one wire to rule them all. Be gone cable spaghetti, we're returning to one cable to power it all. This year at Computex, Corsair showcased their latest concept dealing with cable clutter within desktop PCs. The focus is on creating a clean and organized interior. One of their key offerings is a system comprising fans, AIO coolers, and various accessories that can be interconnected using a single cable. To gain a better understanding of this solution, today we'll review the first products that will become available.
The fundamental idea behind iCUE Link is to streamline the connection process for PC fans, coolers, and potentially other equipment. The objective is to eliminate the requirement for extensive cable arrangements, which often lead to complicated cable routing, making it the least enjoyable aspect of PC assembly. By enabling users to effortlessly link a series of fans and connect them, while incorporating the CPU LCS cooler within the same chain, iCUE Link significantly reduces cable clutter and allows cables to be routed only where necessary. The all-new central component of this setup is the iCue Link System Hub, a compact plastic device approximately the size of a matchbox. This hub utilizes a standard 6-pin PCIe power rail from your power supply, with a maximum power limit of 168 watts. Additionally, it connects to the headers on your motherboard via a MicroUSB cable. Thanks to its magnetic base, the hub can be conveniently placed within your PC case in various locations. From there on you just chain your components.
Daisy chaining was initially considered as a potential solution. Still, it was rejected due to its limited effectiveness in reducing cable clutter and its inability to facilitate extensive new feature development. Additionally, it introduced new functional limitations, which raised concerns. Corsair developed a comprehensive digital bus network architecture to address these issues. This innovative approach employs a single digital cable to provide both power and digital communication to each device, encompassing functions such as RGB and RPM control and temperature probes. Moreover, the components now feature individual microcontrollers, making them "Smart" and enabling efficient management and reporting to the hub and iCUE software. This architecture paves the way for a multitude of exciting upcoming features.
Simplified Cable Management with RGB-Capable Fans
RGB-capable fans offer a convenient cable management solution by eliminating the need for separate PWM fan control cables and RGB cables. Instead, with the new LINK fans, these utilize special proprietary edge connectors that allow adjacent fans to snap together seamlessly. To connect a group of side-by-side fans, you only need to run a single cable from one of the fans. This cable is then connected to a Corsair iCUE Link System Hub, which serves as a controller responsible for managing fan speed and lighting. Additionally, you can link the fans or coolers that are compatible with iCUE Link in a chain configuration. By utilizing this setup, you can easily mount and connect all the fans without the hassle of plugging in individual fan-header cables and RGB LED cables to various headers on the motherboard or separate fan and RGB controllers. This streamlined approach dramatically simplifies the building process, making it more convenient and efficient. Moreover, the iCUE Link system provides greater flexibility, allowing you to cool the entire system, not just the CPU. This distinguishes it from other snap-together fan solutions offered by different vendors.
