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Corsair iCUE Link 3500X vs NZXT H5 Elite: Comparison
What is the difference between Corsair iCUE Link 3500X and NZXT H5 Elite?
Gpu clearance is where these two genuinely part company, Corsair iCUE Link 3500X 370 mm against NZXT H5 Elite 400 mm, a 8% lead for NZXT H5 Elite. Cpu cooler clearance is closer, 170 mm on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X versus 165 mm on the NZXT H5 Elite. They differ on radiator support too, Front up to 360mm, top up to 360mm on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X versus Front 280mm, Top 240mm on the NZXT H5 Elite. Motherboard support is not the same on both, ATX, mATX, ITX on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X versus ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX on the NZXT H5 Elite. They differ on panel type too, Tempered glass, dual-chamber on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X versus Tempered glass front and side on the NZXT H5 Elite.
Which should you buy, Corsair iCUE Link 3500X or NZXT H5 Elite?
Buy the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X for iCUE Link ecosystem builds and cable-management-obsessed builders, though it is not the pick for Non-Corsair fan ecosystems and E-ATX motherboards. The NZXT H5 Elite suits mid-range gaming PCs prioritizing looks over max airflow, though it is not built for high-heat CPU/GPU combos needing maximum front airflow and E-ATX motherboards. The same goes for RGB builds that don't want to buy a separate fan hub. Our rating of the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X (8/10): the cleanest cabling you'll get out of the box if you're buying into iCUE Link fans, with a solid mid-tower dual-chamber design underneath. Our rating of the NZXT H5 Elite (8/10): good value once you factor in the included RGB fans and controller, but pick the H5 Flow instead if airflow matters more than looks.
What Corsair iCUE Link 3500X and NZXT H5 Elite have in common
Everything else lines up. Included fans, case type and front usb-c read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Motherboard Support
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- ATX, mATX, ITX
- NZXT H5 Elite
- ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Case Type
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Mid-Tower
- NZXT H5 Elite
- Mid-Tower
Panel Type
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Tempered glass, dual-chamber
- NZXT H5 Elite
- Tempered glass front and side
GPU Clearance
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 370 mm-7%
- NZXT H5 Elite
- 400 mmBest
CPU Cooler Clearance
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 170 mmBest
- NZXT H5 Elite
- 165 mm-3%
Included Fans
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 3
- NZXT H5 Elite
- 3
Radiator Support
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Front up to 360mm, top up to 360mm
- NZXT H5 Elite
- Front 280mm, Top 240mm
Front USB-C
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Yes
- NZXT H5 Elite
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair iCUE Link 3500X if you want the higher CPU cooler clearance (170 mm vs 165 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 3).
Choose NZXT H5 Elite if you want the higher GPU clearance (400 mm vs 370 mm).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair iCUE Link 3500X | NZXT H5 Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $170.00 View on Amazon | |
| Corsair Store | View on Corsair Store | |
| NZXT Store | View on NZXT Store |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The cleanest cabling you'll get out of the box if you're buying into iCUE Link fans, with a solid mid-tower dual-chamber design underneath.
NZXT H5 Elite
8 / 10 Expert Rating
Good value once you factor in the included RGB fans and controller, but pick the H5 Flow instead if airflow matters more than looks.