aio CPU running unusually hot

[tristen_lane]

i7-10700k

RTX 2070 

iBuyPower 240mm AIO

So in 2020 I bought a pre built from iBuyPower. When it got here and for the first 14 months it ran really temperature wise, at like 35c idol and like 65c max while playing iRacing. However within the last 2 months I’ve been experiencing some weird temperatures. I took the fans off the other night and cleaned the Rad and the fans of the dust that was there, but that just seemed to make things worse. I know I put it back together the exact way that it was supposed to be. There is also now a weird grinding sound coming from around the AIO only on startup for a few seconds and then goes away. Now the CPU now seems to run at 50-65c while at idol and 75-85c while playing iRacing. 

I suspect the AIO is getting clogged with gunk or is just outright going bad. What do you guys think?

 

(Please don’t mind the wheel calibrating itself in the background of the video)

[RMTM]

17 minutes ago, tristen_lane said:

i7-10700k

RTX 2070 

iBuyPower 240mm AIO

So in 2020 I bought a pre built from iBuyPower. When it got here and for the first 14 months it ran really temperature wise, at like 35c idol and like 65c max while playing iRacing. However within the last 2 months I’ve been experiencing some weird temperatures. I took the fans off the other night and cleaned the Rad and the fans of the dust that was there, but that just seemed to make things worse. I know I put it back together the exact way that it was supposed to be. There is also now a weird grinding sound coming from around the AIO only on startup for a few seconds and then goes away. Now the CPU now seems to run at 50-65c while at idol and 75-85c while playing iRacing. 

I suspect the AIO is getting clogged with gunk or is just outright going bad. What do you guys think?

 

(Please don’t mind the wheel calibrating itself in the background of the video)

66704815417__6A247B40-C8AD-488C-99D0-2E0F02D98709.MOV

If you did not change anything in your PC for the past 2 months, chances are that it is your AIO that is causing it. I've seen videos with clogged gunk inside the pipes and trapped in the pump itself. This is why I usually get a good and trusted air-cooler instead of an AIO. No offense.

 

And I am not sure if AIOs are repairable. With all the liquid seals and stuff like that.

[tristen_lane]

3 minutes ago, RMTM said:

If you did not change anything in your PC for the past 2 months, chances are that it is your AIO that is causing it. I've seen videos with clogged gunk inside the pipes and trapped in the pump itself. This is why I usually get a good and trusted air-cooler instead of an AIO. No offense.

 

And I am not sure if AIOs are repairable. With all the liquid seals and stuff like that.

I’m not worried about fixing it because it is a really hard fix but I will look into replacing it. I am contemplating air cooling but idk if a Noctua cooler would fit with 64GB of RAM 

[RMTM]

6 minutes ago, tristen_lane said:

I’m not worried about fixing it because it is a really hard fix but I will look into replacing it. I am contemplating air cooling but idk if a Noctua cooler would fit with 64GB of RAM 

I am using a Noctua NH-U12A for my i7 11700k, overclocked. I have no problems mounting all 4 RAM sticks, populating all my DDR4 slots.

 

What is your motherboard? I'll try to look up the best compatible Noctua air cooler for you.

[RMTM]

I just checked Noctua. Narrowing-down to their best 2 options with my personal comments:

- NH-D15 (too big that may not be compatible with your RAM clearance, motherboard's cooler to VRM clearance, RAM stick accessibility and chassis height clearance)

- NH-U12A (I think is just the right size and height clearance for any case with 120mm rear fan(chassis) and RAM slots. I tried it on Gigabyte, MSI and ROG motherboards with no physical and thermal issues at all. but I think it depends still on the motherboard model you have. And some room for overclocking. These cooler with 2 NF-A12x25x are effective, reliable and quiet fans.)

 

Sorry if I already sounds like a salesman.hahaha

 

But I have those, including their NH-U12S. I have more stories to tell.hahaha But my recommendation to you if ever you are going to do air cooling this time and considering a Noctua, get their NH-U12A. You will have no regrets. 

 

But at the end of all these. It's always up to you. Happy to help.

[tristen_lane]

Thanks for the advice I’ll look into what to grab. Probably going to have to replace the AIO within the next week or so

[tristen_lane]

8 hours ago, RMTM said:

I am using a Noctua NH-U12A for my i7 11700k, overclocked. I have no problems mounting all 4 RAM sticks, populating all my DDR4 slots.

 

What is your motherboard? I'll try to look up the best compatible Noctua air cooler for you.

What are your temps like under idol and a decent load?

[tristen_lane]

Just now, tristen_lane said:

What are your temps like under idol and a decent load?

I believe it the B490 by MSI

[RMTM]

8 hours ago, tristen_lane said:

I believe it the B490 by MSI

If it's either a B460 or a Z490 from MSI, Noctua's NH-U12A and NH-U12S will definitely fit just fine.

[RMTM]

8 hours ago, tristen_lane said:

What are your temps like under idol and a decent load?

Using the NH-U12S(with additional pull fan config), idle is 31-33degC and on a decent (gaming) load I get 60-78degC overclocked.

But with the NH-U12A, I get idle of 29-31degC idle and 55-75degC overclocked during decent (gaming loads.

I am using the i7 11700K and room temp of 25-26degC.

[John Reactor]

23 hours ago, tristen_lane said:

There is also now a weird grinding sound coming from around the AIO

Hmm... AIO pump is dying?

[RMTM]

25 minutes ago, John Reactor said:

Hmm... AIO pump is dying?

Looks like it. Unfortunately. I have zero experience with water cooling. I am going to start a poll or a discussion for this.

[tristen_lane]

8 hours ago, RMTM said:

If it's either a B460 or a Z490 from MSI, Noctua's NH-U12A and NH-U12S will definitely fit just fine.

It is a Z490-A Pro from MSI. However the situation could not become more strange. I was wondering what Power Supply I had in my computer so I took it out the check. I was moving the case around left and right trying to get the power supply out. I put the power supply back in the computer and started it. I was talking to a friend about the situation when I booted up HWMonitorPro and to my surprise the CPU was idling around 32-37c. I booted up iRacing and hit a max of 65c. Now however after 6 hours of gaming and turning the computer off for 30 minutes the idol temps are now around 38-44c however I am now hitting a max of 70c in iRacing. I will continue to monitor the temps threw out the week and keep this thread updated. 
 

IDK if there was an air pocket in the AIO or what.

[RMTM]

10 hours ago, tristen_lane said:

It is a Z490-A Pro from MSI. However the situation could not become more strange. I was wondering what Power Supply I had in my computer so I took it out the check. I was moving the case around left and right trying to get the power supply out. I put the power supply back in the computer and started it. I was talking to a friend about the situation when I booted up HWMonitorPro and to my surprise the CPU was idling around 32-37c. I booted up iRacing and hit a max of 65c. Now however after 6 hours of gaming and turning the computer off for 30 minutes the idol temps are now around 38-44c however I am now hitting a max of 70c in iRacing. I will continue to monitor the temps threw out the week and keep this thread updated. 
 

IDK if there was an air pocket in the AIO or what.

Since you have been using that since that AIO since 2020 and never recently changed its orientation/mounting. I only have 2 theories:

1. AIO pump is malfunctioning.

2. There is something that is clogging the radiator lines, tubes or pump assembly that making the liquid flow inconsistent. That's is why sometimes it works, but over a period of time, problem goes back.

 

It is good if you happen to have a thermal imaging tool/device. You can use it to see hot spots in your AIO system. The 2 tubes should show different readings and color. Indicating that the other liquid tube shows to be "constantly cooler" than the other.

[tristen_lane]

11 hours ago, RMTM said:

Since you have been using that since that AIO since 2020 and never recently changed its orientation/mounting. I only have 2 theories:

1. AIO pump is malfunctioning.

2. There is something that is clogging the radiator lines, tubes or pump assembly that making the liquid flow inconsistent. That's is why sometimes it works, but over a period of time, problem goes back.

 

It is good if you happen to have a thermal imaging tool/device. You can use it to see hot spots in your AIO system. The 2 tubes should show different readings and color. Indicating that the other liquid tube shows to be "constantly cooler" than the other.

I unfortunately do not have thermal imaging tool available to me. However tho I did purchase a D15 form Noctua today. I was playing iRacing again. I had temps in the range of 72-85c with a YouTube video running . Idea running and an overlay tab for iRacing on the side. Idol temps have also risen to 40-48c so in my opinion it’s definitely time to get a new cooler

[RMTM]

1 hour ago, tristen_lane said:

I unfortunately do not have thermal imaging tool available to me. However tho I did purchase a D15 form Noctua today. I was playing iRacing again. I had temps in the range of 72-85c with a YouTube video running . Idea running and an overlay tab for iRacing on the side. Idol temps have also risen to 40-48c so in my opinion it’s definitely time to get a new cooler

Wait. You got an NH-D15 and your idles are that high(40-48degC)?! What chassis and chassis cooling system do you use? My overclocked i7 11400k won't even temp that high! What is your room temperature? And what are your AIO or NH-D15 fan settings? Try setting the NH-D15 PWM fans to go 100% on 75degC and see what happens. I just can't believe it, for an NH-D15. Even though the 72-85degC is still within the Tjuntion limits of your cpu, still, your idles are too high considering a beefy and efficient cooler sitting on it.

[RMTM]

I am using an NH-U12A with my Intel i7 11700k overclocked. Here is a sample screenshot of my hardware monitor (idle cpu). Taken at room temp of 27.7degC. I know that there are other better system and cooling than mine, but I hope this can help you as a basis.

 

[tristen_lane]

7 hours ago, RMTM said:

Wait. You got an NH-D15 and your idles are that high(40-48degC)?! What chassis and chassis cooling system do you use? My overclocked i7 11400k won't even temp that high! What is your room temperature? And what are your AIO or NH-D15 fan settings? Try setting the NH-D15 PWM fans to go 100% on 75degC and see what happens. I just can't believe it, for an NH-D15. Even though the 72-85degC is still within the Tjuntion limits of your cpu, still, your idles are too high considering a beefy and efficient cooler sitting on it.

No no no I have a IBuyPower AIO that came with the PC. Haven’t changed it yet but I thought the thermals fixed themselves but they are back to what they are. The D15 should be here tomorrow but my friend pointed out to me that the cooler may be a MM or 2 to high for my case so hopefully it works. Either way I’m going to pull the AIO out and see if gunk has built up in the pump itself. Hopefully my temps will match or be closer to yours if the cooler fits. If not I will probably get the u12a. 
 

To also answer your other questions. The case is a standard iBuyPower Mid Tower case. I would say the temps in my room are normal around 76-79F. The fans are set to rev up if the CPU gets to a certain temperature. Like if the CPU gets to 55 the fans go to 60% or something like that but I know for a fact that when the CPU hits 80+ the fans work at 100%

[RMTM]

14 hours ago, tristen_lane said:

No no no I have a IBuyPower AIO that came with the PC. Haven’t changed it yet but I thought the thermals fixed themselves but they are back to what they are. The D15 should be here tomorrow but my friend pointed out to me that the cooler may be a MM or 2 to high for my case so hopefully it works. Either way I’m going to pull the AIO out and see if gunk has built up in the pump itself. Hopefully my temps will match or be closer to yours if the cooler fits. If not I will probably get the u12a. 
 

To also answer your other questions. The case is a standard iBuyPower Mid Tower case. I would say the temps in my room are normal around 76-79F. The fans are set to rev up if the CPU gets to a certain temperature. Like if the CPU gets to 55 the fans go to 60% or something like that but I know for a fact that when the CPU hits 80+ the fans work at 100%

Ok. Great! Once you got the NH-D15 installed, your temps should be better. And as I mentioned in my Sunday post, the NH-D15 is big. So height and clearance should be taken into consideration that will fit your motherboard, PC case and RAM sticks. 

Your room temps are good. And your fan settings seems to be ok.

And I am also interested to see/know what happened inside your AIO once you opened it. Because that is a possible OEM issue that manufacturers should address if ever. I've been reading and hearing a lot about AIO issues. I am just not sure what exactly is happening with yours.

Just be careful and be safe in doing so.

[tristen_lane]

15 hours ago, RMTM said:

Ok. Great! Once you got the NH-D15 installed, your temps should be better. And as I mentioned in my Sunday post, the NH-D15 is big. So height and clearance should be taken into consideration that will fit your motherboard, PC case and RAM sticks. 

Your room temps are good. And your fan settings seems to be ok.

And I am also interested to see/know what happened inside your AIO once you opened it. Because that is a possible OEM issue that manufacturers should address if ever. I've been reading and hearing a lot about AIO issues. I am just not sure what exactly is happening with yours.

Just be careful and be safe in doing so.

So I have decided to do a full upgrade on my rig. I’m getting the Corsair 5000x case and a new 850w power supply to go with the D15. It should fit at I should have like 3-4 MM to slide the fan up to clear the RAM. If not then I’ll just move the fan to the back to use as a pull instead of a push

[RMTM]

9 hours ago, tristen_lane said:

So I have decided to do a full upgrade on my rig. I’m getting the Corsair 5000x case and a new 850w power supply to go with the D15. It should fit at I should have like 3-4 MM to slide the fan up to clear the RAM. If not then I’ll just move the fan to the back to use as a pull instead of a push

Oh wow! According to the Corsair 5000x and Noctua's NH-D15 specs sheet, you should still have clearance of a maximum of 5mm. So you should be good to mount that beast of a cooler. In fan orientations, I suggest to try your best for a push configuration. Just make sure to have a good rear case fan installed to match the output airflow of the NF-A15 of the NH-D15. To make sure all hot air from the cpu are sucked out quickly out from case right away. I'm both excited and happy for you.

[tristen_lane]

On 2/23/2022 at 7:32 PM, RMTM said:

Oh wow! According to the Corsair 5000x and Noctua's NH-D15 specs sheet, you should still have clearance of a maximum of 5mm. So you should be good to mount that beast of a cooler. In fan orientations, I suggest to try your best for a push configuration. Just make sure to have a good rear case fan installed to match the output airflow of the NF-A15 of the NH-D15. To make sure all hot air from the cpu are sucked out quickly out from case right away. I'm both excited and happy for you.

So the computer if finished everything is working and running fine I’m currently testing temps new vs old and will post them here when I’m done. They are somewhat accurate but from what I’ve seen already they are very good. As for push vs pull I might re arrange the fan the for now I have it in a pull. I also have 3 fans exhausting out the top and back and 3 pulling air into the case from the front. I’m still messing around with fan curve so if anyone has suggestions I will listen and take them into account but I think I have a good baseline as far as temps to sound goes. The cooler has some gunk in it I thought I got a picture before I scraped the copper plate but the copper plate was full of gunk but there also was some gunk down the tube that had been cycling threw the system. As shown in the sink picture when I dumped the AIO. I also included some pictures of the thermal paste application. It still had some moisture in it so that was not the problem. Thank you RMTM for your help and support threw this process. If you want DM me with your discord and I’ll add you on there. Also, I still want to get 4 more fans for the system so the case is fully supported with cooling. I will add the temp sheet when I conclude with the testing.

(PS. I know my wire management outside the case is horrible but I haven't had time to take care of it.)

(PPS. I am working on getting my PC off the floor, I have to find a suitable stand or table I can’t put it on that will support the weight especially now

Edited February 26, 2022 by tristen_lane
Needed to add something

[RMTM]

41 minutes ago, tristen_lane said:

So the computer if finished everything is working and running fine I’m currently testing temps new vs old and will post them here when I’m done. They are somewhat accurate but from what I’ve seen already they are very good. As for push vs pull I might re arrange the fan the for now I have it in a pull. I also have 3 fans exhausting out the top and back and 3 pulling air into the case from the front. I’m still messing around with fan curve so if anyone has suggestions I will listen and take them into account but I think I have a good baseline as far as temps to sound goes. The cooler has some gunk in it I thought I got a picture before I scraped the copper plate but the copper plate was full of gunk but there also was some gunk down the tube that had been cycling threw the system. As shown in the sink picture when I dumped the AIO. I also included some pictures of the thermal paste application. It still had some moisture in it so that was not the problem. Thank you RMTM for your help and support threw this process. If you want DM me with your discord and I’ll add you on there. Also, I still want to get 4 more fans for the system so the case is fully supported with cooling. I will add the temp sheet when I conclude with the testing.

(PS. I know my wire management outside the case is horrible but I haven't had time to take care of it.)

You're welcome, @tristen_lane. Happy to help!

That is one solid looking build you have there! That AIO looks like it had a lot of nasty artery-blocking gunk. That concludes your AIO problem.

Below is my cpu fan curve that I use for my PC with a Noctua NH-U12a. I hope it can help you. Here are my PWM fans suggestions for your PC case if your are adding or replacing existing: for 120mm rear exhaust (NF-A12x25PWM chromax.black.swap), other 120mm case fans (NF-S12A PWM chromax.black.swap) and for 140mm case fans (NF-A14 PWM chromax.black.swap). Only downside: no RGBs. But there are solutions to that.

Enjoy and have fun! DM you on discord.