Logo
Back to Corsair.com Contact Us
Sign in
Track order WARRANTY REPLACEMENT SPARE PARTS
Corsair Limited Warranty PSU Cable Compatibility Resetting Your Keyboard Returning Your Corsair.com Order Clean Install iCUE
Search the Knowledge Base

For faster processing, please attach your purchase receipt, and a photo of your hardware serial number.

Waiting for warehouse to restock and reserve.
Warehouse has begun packing process.
Package ready for handoff to shipping service.
The package has been handed to the shipping carrier.
Package has been delivered to customer.
Return package opened at warehouse and entered into system.
Refund has been paid.
Waiting for backordered items/Waiting for system to be manufactured/Waiting for Advanced RMA payment.
Inventory has been confirmed and reserved.
Item line in order has been cancelled.
  1. Corsair
  2. PC Components
  3. AIO Liquid Cooling

Menu

How to: Install your iCUE RGB ELITE Liquid CPU cooler

This article will help you set up your ELITE series liquid CPU cooler in your PC system.

 

NOTE: The iCUE RGB ELITE Liquid CPU cooler comes with the Intel mounting bracket preinstalled. If you have an AMD system, you will need to swap out the bracket with an AMD-compatible mounting bracket.

 

 

Video instructions

 

 

Step one: Preparing the radiator

The first thing to do is determine the placement of your cooler's radiator in your system and the orientation of your fans. If you need help deciding how to mount your radiator, you can check out our article on ideal radiator placement.

Once you have decided how to mount your radiator and how to orientate your fans, place your fans onto the radiator and use the provided screws to secure them in place.

 

 

Step two: Preparing the pump head

The pump head of the iCUE RGB ELITE Liquid CPU cooler comes pre-installed with the Intel mounting bracket. If you are using an AMD system, you will need to replace the mounting bracket with one that is AMD-compatible.

To install AMD mounting brackets on the pump head:

  1. Remove the thermal paste plastic cover from the pump head.
  2. Remove the two halves of the Intel mounting bracket from the pump head.
  3. Insert the two halves of your AMD mounting bracket into the pump head.
    • NOTE: Make sure you do not touch or smudge the thermal paste on the pump head.
      install_rgb_cooler_-_install_amd_bracket.png

 

 

Step three: Installing the backplate

Once your pump head has the proper mounting bracket installed, it is time to prepare the backplate.

 

If you have an Intel system:

  1. Remove the adhesive film protector from the back of the Intel backplate.
  2. Align the backplate to the mounting holes on the back of your motherboard.
  3. Attach the backplate to the back of the motherboard.
    install_rgb_cooler_-_attach_intel_backplate.png

  4. Install the provided standoffs by screwing them onto the mounting posts of the backplate through the front of the motherboard.
    install_rgb_cooler_-_attach_standoffs_to_intel_backplate.png

 

If you have an AMD system:

  1. Unscrew and remove the plastic retention clips on the motherboard socket.
  2. Attach the default AM4 backplate onto the back of the motherboard.
  3. Install the provided standoffs by screwing them onto the mounting posts of the backplate through the front of the motherboard.

 

 

Step four: Installing the radiator and pump head

Once you have installed the backplate onto your motherboard, it is time to mount your radiator and install the pump head onto your CPU:

  1. Install the radiator onto the desired location in your system.
  2. Secure the radiator using the provided screws.
  3. Install your pump head onto your CPU by lining up the holes in the mounting bracket with the standoffs you installed in the motherboard.
  4. Install the thumbscrews provided with your cooler onto the standoffs, and then tighten to secure the pump head onto the CPU.

 

 

Step five: Plugging in the necessary cables

Once your radiator and the pump head are installed into the system, the final step is to plug in all the necessary cables so that you can customize your cooler settings in iCUE.

  1. Plug the cooler's USB-C cable into the pump head.
    install_rgb_cooler_-_attach_usb_cable_to_pump_head.png

  2. Route the other ends of the cable behind your motherboard tray.
  3. Connect each of the fans on the radiator to the cooler's PWM fan splitter.
  4. Connect the pump tach cable to the CPU_FAN header on your motherboard.
    install_rgb_cooler_-_connect_pump_tach_cable.png

  5. Connect the data cable into the USB 2.0 Internal header on your motherboard.
  6. Connect the pump power cable to an available SATA power plug.

 

Once you have plugged in all the necessary cables, power on your system.

Make sure you have iCUE installed and updated to its latest version. If you have installed your cooler correctly, you should see the cooler on the home screen of iCUE.

The order tracking service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
No orders found. Please recheck your order number and email address, then try again.
X
Order
{[{ olpOrderNumberValue }]}
Order Type
{[{ orderType }]}
Name
{[{ customerName }]}
  • {[{ column.name }]}

Line Status Description

  • {[{ statusDescription.title }]}
    {[{ statusDescription.description }]}
Was this article helpful?
88 out of 420 found this helpful
Have more questions? Submit a request
Return to top

Related articles

  • How should I mount the radiator of my AIO cooler?
  • How to: Install the iCUE Elite Capellix liquid CPU cooler for AMD sockets
  • AIO cooler and socket compatibility
  • CORSAIR ONE: LED Error Conditions – Auto Detection of Pump Failure or Overheating
  • What to do if your Commander CORE shows up in iCUE instead of your ELITE CAPELLIX CPU cooler

Articles in this section

  • AIO cooler and socket compatibility
  • What Type of Coolant is Used in CORSAIR AIOs?
  • How should I mount the radiator of my AIO cooler?
  • Is the AMD AM5 motherboard socket compatible with older cooler brackets?
  • AM4 Socket Compatibility and Bracket Installation Guide
  • How to: Install your iCUE RGB ELITE Liquid CPU cooler
  • How To Apply XTM50 High Performance Thermal Paste (Video)

SUPPORT

  • Downloads
  • Customer Support
  • Warranty
  • RMA/Returns
  • Track Orders Or Returns

SHOPPING

  • Where to Buy
  • Memory Finder

COMPANY

  • About CORSAIR
  • Careers
  • Contact

COMMUNITY

  • Blog
  • Forums
  • How-To Guides

Copyright © Corsair.All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms Of Use

Deutsch Español Français Italiano 日本語 한국어 Polski Português Português do Brasil Русский 简体中文