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IN CASE OF CPU OVERHEATING
Very high CPU temperatures are usually the symptoms of
malfunctioning liquid cooling loop, assuming the contact
between CPU heat spreader and water block itself is good and
that the water itself is adequately cooled within the radiator. This
can occur either due to:
1.
Malfunctioning or non-working water pump:
The
symptoms usually include a rapid spike in temperature when
stressing your CPU to the maximum (for example with AIDA64
software). Make sure the pump is plugged into the power
connector and that the liquid is indeed flowing through your
system. You should feel the pump vibrating in your hand.
Observe if there is any coolant movement in the reservoir when
the pump is manually set to maximum speed.
2.
Malfunctioning or non-working cooling fans:
The
symptoms usually include a rapid spike in temperature when
stressing your CPU to the maximum. Make sure the cooling fans
are plugged into the power connector hub and that the blades
are indeed rotating.
3. Kink in the liquid cooling tubing:
Very similar symptoms to
those described above. Thin-walled tubing may collapse easily
under low radius turns or when obstructed by other computer
chassis elements such as closing side panel doors. Check the
tubing for any signs of kink that restrict the flow. This is normally
not the case when using original tubing.
4. Clogged microchannels in the water block:
Microchannels
can get clogged easily with various dirt particles and impurities,
TROUBLESHOOTING
especially with plasticizer powder which has leached from
the tubing. The symptoms usually include rapid spikes in
temperature when stressing your CPU to the maximum. Low
flow activity can be seen in the reservoir when the pump is
manually set to maximum speed. Visually inspect the water
block internals for any buildup or contamination and clean the
system if necessary. In case the water block with translucent
acrylic top is employed, this inspection can be done without
disassembling the system.
5. Thermal interface material (paste/grease) not applied or
applied improperly:
Lack of - or even too much - TIM - may
result in CPU overheating. Please refer to STEP 2 in INSTALLING
THE WATER BLOCK section.
6. Cooling liquid (coolant) freezing:
Running the system in a
subzero temperature environment may lead to liquid freezing.
The symptoms include initial rapid spike in the temperatures
when stressing your CPU, followed by a substantial drop after
the liquid partially thaws. Always make sure the system is
operating in an environment where ambient (room) temperature
doesn’t drop below 5°C.
Another culprit could be partially or completely defective
CPU. Some CPUs run at higher temperatures than the others.
Overheating of the CPU can also occur due to:
