Do AIO CPU coolers deteriorate over time?

hobib_ali

hobib_ali

hobib_ali

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Ive had my 420mm Corsair H170i Cooler for 2.5 years now

All of the time when I play games I get CPU heat warnings, I can feel the radiator getting very hot, its a big rad at 420mm

Wondering if the coolers lose their cooling capacity over time?
 
I've never had watercooling but from what I've watched

the water in the AIO dissipates through the tubing, so the water is replaced with air, ideally you'd want to top it up- not many AIO have refill caps
Sludge and other contaminants can build up over time, reaction between the liquid and different metals. Particles can clog up the CPU waterblock and radiator, so lose efficincy. Can have mold and other sludge, any residue from build process like blob of solder etc.
build up on the pump impeller blades
Motor wear on the pump, bearings wear out.
 
If the radiator is getting hot then the AIO is doing its job perfectly.

The next part of the equation is to remove the heat from the radiator - this involves a) Fans working well and b) Supplying cool air to the radiator.

Remember a warm radiator means a cooler CPU than if it hadn't been there.
 
Good idea to shake the rad, and work out how much air is inside, listen to sloshing.
Obvious thing is keeping rad dust free, if it's clogged then it's not going to function. Other obvious thing is fan is working yeah, and at a sufficient speed
 
LuckyBenski said:
If the radiator is getting hot then the AIO is doing its job perfectly.

The next part of the equation is to remove the heat from the radiator - this involves a) Fans working well and b) Supplying cool air to the radiator.

Remember a warm radiator means a cooler CPU than if it hadn't been there.
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Well maybe, but it could also be an issue with the pump and that size radiator just happens to have the capacity to cool the chip. A a 4x120mm rad will have well over 1000watts of cooling capacity.
 
jigger said:
Well maybe, but it could also be an issue with the pump and that size radiator just happens to have the capacity to cool the chip. A a 4x120mm rad will have well over 1000watts of cooling capacity.
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I don't think the radiator would get meaningfully warm if the pump wasn't working.

The pump might not be working to optimal efficiency, but any heat in the radiator comes from the CPU, ergo the liquid section of the AIO is doing its job.
 
LuckyBenski said:
I don't think the radiator would get meaningfully warm if the pump wasn't working.

The pump might not be working to optimal efficiency, but any heat in the radiator comes from the CPU, ergo the liquid section of the AIO is doing its job.
Click to expand...

It would get hot, potentially very hot.
 
It's a while since I used a Corsair AIO, but you should probably start with their software. Set pump speed to max and listen out for any strange noises.

How is it mounted? Front or top? If it's front mounted, are the tubes coming out of the top or bottom of the radiator?
 
My daughters cooler master aio pump is ticking, sill cooling though so yeh they can detereate over time mostly dead pump or gunk in loop,my artic aio has a six year warranty so I'm not worried.
 
I have a Kraken AIO from 5 years ago still chugging along with my 5900x max temps are still around 72 in the heat currently in the UK being 25-30c ~, I believe 2 years is what people used to say an AIO would last though. its very much a Your milage may vary type of deal. Always had mine mounted up top too so that has likely helped with longevity.
 
ssjninjamonkey said:
I have a Kraken AIO from 5 years ago still chugging along with my 5900x max temps are still around 72 in the heat currently in the UK being 25-30c ~, I believe 2 years is what people used to say an AIO would last though. its very much a Your milage may vary type of deal. Always had mine mounted up top too so that has likely helped with longevity.
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Yea I have an nzxt kraken 360mm on a 5800x been going about 5 years all good as far as I can tell.
 
LuckyBenski said:
If the radiator is getting hot then the AIO is doing its job perfectly.

The next part of the equation is to remove the heat from the radiator - this involves a) Fans working well and b) Supplying cool air to the radiator.

Remember a warm radiator means a cooler CPU than if it hadn't been there.
Click to expand...
Hi

My rad is dust free and I have 6 140mm fans that has sandwich the radiator

The thing is when its really hot both tubes have equal temps, I thought one tube was suppose to be cool and the other hot?

When I 1st bought the AIO it was so good, temps didnt exceed 60c on full load gaming, somthing is up, could be my 5090 thats added heat in the case?

My case is huge, full tower Cosmos C700M
 
LuckyBenski said:
I don't think the radiator would get meaningfully warm if the pump wasn't working.

The pump might not be working to optimal efficiency, but any heat in the radiator comes from the CPU, ergo the liquid section of the AIO is doing its job.
Click to expand...
maybe the pump is working but the liquid has evaporated over time or diminished due to micro evaporation? both tubes are super hot, I never had CPU heat warnings or PC shut downs before

But I do remember the PC never went above 60c when the cooler was new, something is up, trying to think here, if the AIO cooler has been working hard for 2 years is there a chance of micro evaporation even though the unit is sealed?

So Ive purchased a new AIO cooler, will install that to see if that makes a difference, Ive had the cooler for 2.5 years and I dont think I have warranty on it

I mean Ive got 6 fans that are on the top and bottom of the radiator sandwich style and the heat thats coming off the rad is unbelievable

And I dont think its the weather as this has been going on for a few months now, I mean I can feel a slight warmth when web browsing and what rad would get warm on web browsing?
 
Tetras said:
What CPU is it?

That doesn't sound normal, I suppose unless you have a 14900KS or something like that.
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its a 14 core 10940x LGA2066 X299 platform

yeah I need to buy a new CPU which means im gonna need a new MOBO new RAM and a new CPU and a cooler because these pumps dont cover the new 9950x or Ultra 9 chips
 
LuckyBenski said:
If the radiator is getting hot then the AIO is doing its job perfectly.

The next part of the equation is to remove the heat from the radiator - this involves a) Fans working well and b) Supplying cool air to the radiator.

Remember a warm radiator means a cooler CPU than if it hadn't been there.
Click to expand...
but when it was new the CPU never went above 60c, it was so cool vs my previous 240mm AIO, now the radiator gets so hot, like ive never had this in any of my builds for the past 10+ years, I think the water or coolant has reduced as there is no other explanation, and it cant be thermal paste either, both tubes get so hgot when one is supposed to be cold and the other hot.
 
LuckyBenski said:
Did these issues appear when you added the graphics card?
Click to expand...
i cant remember, had a 4090 before that

So I think I have identified the problem

I installed a new AIO, exactly the same cooler but new, straight away the CPU temps jumped down to 40c on idle temps

During gaming it tops 60-65c, i was hitting 80c+

When I hold the tubes I can feel the pump vibrations, the previous pump I could not feel anything, so its either low on fluid hence the increased temps or the pump has failed as in its lost its power/push, like a failed fan when it spins at low rpm
 
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