The Corsair One series has long aimed to deliver top-tier gaming and workstation performance in a strikingly compact form factor. The latest iteration, the Corsair One i500, continues this tradition with a completely new design and updated components for 2024. Sporting a larger Micro ATX motherboard and liquid cooling for both the CPU and GPU, the i500 signifies Corsair's commitment to high-end computing in a smaller footprint. Let's delve into the details of this new machine and see what it has to offer.
A New Aesthetic and Design Evolution
The Corsair One i500 boasts a new, larger design compared to its predecessors. For instance, the i500 measures 391 x 185 x 300 mm, resulting in a volume of 21.7 L, significantly larger than the 12 L volume of the older i300. This increase in size makes the i500 look a bit more like a regular PC, although it remains a relatively compact machine.
Corsair offers the new One with a choice of two main colour options: a wood dark option with a walnut front panel and dark aluminum panels, and a wood light option with a maple front panel and lighter metallic aluminum accents. Notably, these front panels are crafted from real wood, ensuring that no two PCs will be exactly alike. There's also mention of a potential third option with a brushed aluminum panel, reminiscent of previous Corsair One models. While the wood panels lend a touch of elegance and a more organic feel, the front panel is not user-swappable due to integrated lighting components.
Adding to the aesthetic appeal are touch-sensitive strips integrated into the vertical wood accents on the front panel. These aren't just decorative; they allow users to change the RGB lighting effects and brightness without needing to resort to software, a feature described as "very cool". The power button sits centrally on the front panel. Both sides of the Corsair One i500 are covered with magnetic gray fabric filters, which complement the overall design and can be easily removed to reveal perforated aluminum panels beneath. A thoughtful touch is the inclusion of notches on both sides to attach a headset hanger, which comes included in the box, offering a simple and clean solution for cable and headset management. Furthermore, tapping on the top section of the rear panel illuminates the ports, a particularly useful feature for connecting peripherals in low-light conditions.
Around the back, the i500 features a healthy selection of ports and connectors, including numerous USB options and the standard video outputs for the dedicated graphics card. The front panel also provides a headphone and microphone combo jack, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port.
Internals: Power and Flexibility
Under the hood, the Corsair One i500 packs formidable hardware. Both primary configurations feature the Intel Core i9-14900K processor. The model reviewed in several sources combines this with the Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics card, while a slightly more affordable base model offers the Nvidia RTX 4080 Super.
For memory, the flagship configuration boasts 64GB of DDR5 RAM running at 6,000 MT/s with a CAS latency of 30, while the base model comes with 32GB. Storage comes in the form of a 2TB NVMe PCI Gen 4 SSD, with some configurations potentially including a Samsung PM9A1 or an MP600 drive depending on availability. While some consider 2TB to be somewhat stingy at this price point, Corsair has strategically placed the primary SSD in the bottom M.2 slot, leaving the top slot, located under the motherboard's integrated heatsink, easily accessible for future upgrades. There's also a spare 2.5-inch SSD or HDD caddy for additional storage.
Interestingly, Corsair has opted for an MSI MAG B760M Mortar Wi-Fi Micro ATX motherboard in the i500, a departure from the ITX boards used in previous models. While this board offers a plentiful I/O and robust VRM cooling, the B760 chipset limits the top M.2 slot to PCIe Gen 4 speeds, which some might find disappointing given the system's high-end nature and price. Corsair explained that they were looking for a Z790 option with Gen 5 SSD support from MSI, but none were available in the Micro ATX form factor at the time. The motherboard utilizes a custom BIOS specifically tuned for the i500, meaning users will need to obtain future BIOS revisions from the Corsair website, not directly from MSI.
Powering this system is a Corsair SF1000L 1000W 80 Plus Gold certified PSU, which should provide ample headroom for the high-performance components.
Accessing the internals is a three-part process involving removing a side fabric filter, unscrewing two top screws on the aluminum panel, and then removing further screws to swing open the top fan bracket and access the lower half of the case. This design represents an improvement over previous Corsair One models in terms of user upgradeability. The internal layout is also different, featuring a single-chamber design where all components are housed in the same area, unlike the dual-chamber design of earlier models.
Cooling: A Tale of Two Temperatures
The Corsair One i500 employs a liquid cooling system for both the CPU and GPU. The CPU is cooled by a 120mm all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler installed at the top fan bracket, drawing cool air into the chassis. The GPU, on the other hand, is cooled by a custom AIO liquid cooler with a 240mm radiator mounted at the roof, exhausting hot air out of the system. The GPU cooler directly contacts both the memory and the GPU die.
While the liquid cooling promises effective thermal management, some sources have raised concerns. One point of contention is the lack of dedicated heatsinks or cooling for the GPU's VRMs (voltage regulator modules), which appear to rely solely on system airflow for cooling. While testing in one instance didn't reveal immediate instability due to VRM temperatures, the absence of dedicated cooling for such a power-hungry GPU like the RTX 4090 is noted as unusual.
CPU thermals are reported as warm but generally within acceptable limits in some tests, reaching peaks in the mid-to-high 80s Celsius under heavy loads like Cinebench and Cyberpunk 2077. The power limits imposed on the CPU (200W PL1, 240W PL2) likely contribute to keeping temperatures manageable with the 120mm cooler, although this also means the CPU may not reach its full potential clock speeds. In contrast, some other tests showed the CPU reaching 100°C and thermal throttling, suggesting the 120mm cooler might be inadequate for sustained high loads.
GPU thermals, particularly the GPU VRAM temperatures, have been a significant point of concern in some evaluations, reaching as high as 94°C in certain tests. This is considered unacceptably high and potentially damaging in the long term. The liquid temperature within the GPU loop has also been noted to reach levels that some manufacturers consider the maximum safe limit for the internal plastics of the pump. One peculiar finding was that the rear fan on the GPU radiator was controlled by the CPU cooler's liquid temperature, leading to suboptimal cooling for the GPU under heavy GPU loads.
Experiments with replacing the slim 120mm side intake fans with standard 25mm thick fans showed a noticeable improvement in both CPU and GPU temperatures, suggesting that the choice of thinner fans might have compromised cooling efficiency.
Performance: Gaming and Creative Tasks
Despite the thermal concerns raised in some quarters, the Corsair One i500 generally delivers excellent performance in both gaming and creative applications, thanks to its high-end components.
In gaming benchmarks at 1440p and 4K resolutions, the i500, with its RTX 4090, often shows frame rates that are virtually identical to a similarly specced DIY test rig. In some instances, it even outperformed the test rig, potentially due to its tight memory timings. This indicates that the compact form factor does not necessarily lead to a significant compromise in gaming performance, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming.
For creative tasks, benchmarks like Cinebench R23 and V-Ray demonstrate strong CPU and GPU rendering capabilities. Notably, in DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro, the i500 achieved top scores compared to other high-end pre-built PCs, making it an excellent choice for 4K video editing. However, Blender performance was noted as average for CPU and below average for GPU in one set of tests. The memory bandwidth, thanks to the 6000 MT/s DDR5 RAM with tight timings, is a particular strength of the system. Due to the power limitations, the CPU's multi-core performance in Cinebench was observed to be somewhat behind a stock-clocked i9-13900K in a larger test rig.
Software and User Experience
Corsair has opted for a more streamlined software approach with the i500, utilizing a dedicated Corsair One Dashboard application instead of the iCUE software for controlling system parameters. The dashboard allows users to control the RGB lighting effects and colours, as well as display readouts of fan and pump speeds and coolant temperatures. It can also show basic system information and check for updates. However, fan control and performance tweaks are notably absent from the dashboard, requiring users to adjust these settings within the BIOS or through third-party tools. The RGB lighting can also be controlled via the touch-sensitive strips on the front panel.
The BIOS offers expected tweaking options, but some advanced features like overclocking might be less accessible. BIOS updates are performed via a manual process involving downloading firmware to a USB drive, which some might find less convenient than automated updates. The BIOS also lacks direct control over the individual case fans and the GPU radiator fan, as they are primarily controlled based on liquid temperatures.
The overall software setup is generally clean, with a straightforward Windows 11 out-of-box experience and minimal bloatware. However, the included NVIDIA Game Ready driver was found to be several months out of date in one instance.
Noise: When Silence Turns to a Roar
The noise levels of the Corsair One i500 vary depending on the load. At idle, some sources found the system to be fairly quiet, while others reported it as surprisingly loud. Under intense gaming or full system load, the fan noise can become quite noticeable and potentially distracting for some users, especially as the fans ramp up to manage the heat. This is perhaps to be expected given the high-end hardware packed into a relatively compact chassis. There was also a mention of audible whine from one of the pumps at idle in one case. The fan curves appear to be aggressive, reacting to liquid temperatures, which can lead to rapid increases in fan speed and noise levels during sustained loads.
Pricing and Value: A Premium Proposition
The Corsair One i500 occupies the high end of the pre-built gaming PC market. The base model with the RTX 4080 Super starts at $3,599.99 USD, while the upgraded model featuring the RTX 4090 and 64GB of RAM commands a price of $4,699.99 USD. These prices represent a significant premium over the cost of building a comparable system using off-the-shelf components. While some argue that this premium can be justified by the aesthetic design, compact form factor, integrated liquid cooling, and the peace of mind of a pre-built system with a 2-year warranty, others find the markup excessive.
One analysis estimated the i500 to have a premium of over $1,600 USD compared to building an equivalent DIY system. This significant price difference raises questions about the overall value proposition, especially when considering some of the thermal and cooling concerns reported. While the design is lauded for its aesthetics and some practical elements like the rear port illumination, the core performance and cooling capabilities for the price have been called into question.
Origin PC Customization
For those seeking even more tailored configurations, the Corsair One i500 is also available through Origin PC. Origin offers further customization options, including different RAM speeds and capacities, as well as customizable storage solutions. Notably, Origin allows buyers to have an Elgato video capture card pre-installed. Furthermore, while the standard Corsair One i500 comes with a 2-year warranty, purchasing through Origin provides the option to extend this to three years. Origin also offers a special Origin-specific front panel for their version.
Conclusion: A Blend of Style and Compromise
The Corsair One i500 represents a bold step in compact, high-performance gaming PCs, offering a unique aesthetic and packing powerful components into a relatively small chassis. The use of real wood, touch-sensitive RGB lighting, and thoughtful touches like the rear port LEDs contribute to a premium feel. Performance in both gaming and creative tasks is generally strong, leveraging the power of the Intel Core i9-14900K and the Nvidia RTX 4090 or 4080 Super.
However, the i500 is not without its drawbacks. The increased size might diminish some of the appeal for hardcore small form factor enthusiasts. More significantly, thermal performance, particularly concerning GPU VRAM temperatures and the adequacy of the CPU cooling solution under sustained loads, raises questions about the system's long-term reliability and sustained performance. The locked fan controls and the reliance on a basic dashboard software for a premium system also feel somewhat limiting. Finally, the substantial price premium over building a similar PC makes the Corsair One i500 a difficult proposition for budget-conscious buyers.
Ultimately, the Corsair One i500 caters to a specific market willing to pay a significant premium for its unique design, compact nature, and pre-built convenience. While it offers a compelling package on paper, potential buyers should carefully consider the reported thermal limitations and the significant cost compared to building a similar, and potentially better-cooled, system themselves. The Origin PC customization options offer a route to further tailor the system and extend the warranty for those who find the base Corsair offerings appealing but desire more flexibility or support.