How to diagnose cause of CPU overheating?

ShellShock · 30 Jul 2017 at 17:21

I get CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT BSOD when playing CPU intensive games. As soon as I run CPU: OCCT the core temperatures rise to over 85 c (from < 30 c when idle), which sometimes causes the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT too. So my CPU is overheating, but why?

My kit:

Motherboard Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5 rev 1.0 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
CPU Intel Core i7-4790K 4.00GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail
Cooler Corsair Hydro H60 V2 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Memory Corsair Vengeance Pro Red 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (CMY16GX3M2).

This has been working OK for 3 years, with no overclocking, but I have not monitored the CPU temperature before.

Cooler case fan is working OK. I have just replaced the thermal paste on the CPU (it was rather patchy), but this has made no difference to the overheating. I am starting to suspect the cooler is faulty. How do I even tell if the pump is working? The cooler is plugged into the CPU_OPT (pump) and CPU Fan (fan) and the bios reports that both fans are spinning (I think the CPU_OPT was 1400 rpm).

EsaT · 30 Jul 2017 at 18:06

Likely failed pump.
Not sure about their design but actual part pushing water could have also gotten loose from axle of motor explaining shown rpm without water being actually moved.
Water leaking out/getting replaced by air should be rather unlikely.

Without forced water circulation water cooler loses basically all cooling ability.

ShellShock · 30 Jul 2017 at 18:52

Thanks, as I thought. Actually the CPU_OPT rpm is about 2200 (I misremembered it). But I assume failed pump is still most likely? I haven't noticed any leakage, so I just assume the pump has failed.

I suppose the simplest thing is buy another cooler. It doesn't look like there is much hope of a repair...

Chaos666 · 31 Jul 2017 at 23:36

if your cpu is not overclocked than 85 c is definitely to much for an AIO. can you hear the pump in the block when its on? if its making weird noise that you got your answer

Smffy · 1 Aug 2017 at 08:59

Chaos666 said:
if your cpu is not overclocked than 85 c is definitely to much for an AIO. can you hear the pump in the block when its on? if its making weird noise that you got your answer

This... listen, and touch the radiator - is it really hot?

Check also the fins are not full of dust if the fans been on 3 years... take it off and clean.

HazardO · 1 Aug 2017 at 11:10

Is your CPU vcore fixed or auto? If auto it may have been running too high a voltage for some time causing CPU degradation which in turn would encourage the BIOS to raise the voltage even more to maintain stability. 3 years would be about right for this sort of issue to show up. If you're using a fixed vcore then it's almost certainly your AIO.

Corsair Nick · 1 Aug 2017 at 23:32

ShellShock said:
I get CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT BSOD when playing CPU intensive games. As soon as I run CPU: OCCT the core temperatures rise to over 85 c (from < 30 c when idle), which sometimes causes the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT too. So my CPU is overheating, but why?

This has been working OK for 3 years, with no overclocking, but I have not monitored the CPU temperature before.

Cooler case fan is working OK. I have just replaced the thermal paste on the CPU (it was rather patchy), but this has made no difference to the overheating. I am starting to suspect the cooler is faulty. How do I even tell if the pump is working? The cooler is plugged into the CPU_OPT (pump) and CPU Fan (fan) and the bios reports that both fans are spinning (I think the CPU_OPT was 1400 rpm).

This could be potentially a bad pump. I'd recommend performing a couple things first before submitting an RMA.

1) Switch the pump to the CPU_Fan header and set it to full, maximum, or whatever the setting is for the most power. All our pumps require full 12v to function properly, and if not setup properly, can cause the pump to fail.
2) Check to see if one tube is significantly hotter than the other, and if any heat is being transferred through the radiator

If the temps remain high and no heat is transferred through the radiator, visit the Corsair Support page and submit an RMA. Our Technical Support staff will help get this resolved for you from there.

red eye · 16 Aug 2017 at 18:16

Corsair Nick said:
This could be potentially a bad pump. I'd recommend performing a couple things first before submitting an RMA.

1) Switch the pump to the CPU_Fan header and set it to full, maximum, or whatever the setting is for the most power. All our pumps require full 12v to function properly, and if not setup properly, can cause the pump to fail.
2) Check to see if one tube is significantly hotter than the other, and if any heat is being transferred through the radiator

If the temps remain high and no heat is transferred through the radiator, visit the Corsair Support page and submit an RMA. Our Technical Support staff will help get this resolved for you from there.

Didt know there's a corsair rep, how much is a hdd tray for the air 240? My tabs have broken off I Can't remove my hdds

Ps op sorry for the hyjack

Corsair Nick · 17 Aug 2017 at 17:15

Yup, there are a couple of us around here in case any of you run into issue. I only have the part number for for the cage and drive trays together which is CC-8930322. If you put in a support ticket on our website, one of our Technical Support reps should be able to provide just the tray part number, or if you're still under warranty, just send a replacement out.

Adam Gilpin · 30 Aug 2017 at 12:15

How did I not see this forum when searching previously. I think this matches my issue completely.
Cooler header is hot to touch
one pipe is hot (sometimes), the other is cold.
no heat detectable by touch on the radiator

I recently removed and refitted the cooler with new gel but the system still idles between 45 & 60 degC and increases to 90+ under any load.
I'm not certain about noise from the pump. I have a hearing problem so can't tell for sure with other fan noise etc.
My H55 is about 18 months old but I can't find the purchase details.
is it still worth signing up a new corsair account and going through the support logging?

Adam Gilpin · 31 Aug 2017 at 13:37

I tried some of the tips in here and similar posts to check pump/fan settings and try to release any airlock with no improvement.
having had the case open while doing this is stoppd a couple of additional case fans and can clearly hear noise (sounds mechanical to me) from the pump which also feels like it's not running smoothly.
Replacing the H55 with th estock fan is a significant improvement 35degC idle and <85 under load.
I've raised a crucial ticket for warranty replacement.

Thanks for the OP and comments that have helped me.

red eye · 4 Sep 2017 at 17:18

Corsair Nick said:
Yup, there are a couple of us around here in case any of you run into issue. I only have the part number for for the cage and drive trays together which is CC-8930322. If you put in a support ticket on our website, one of our Technical Support reps should be able to provide just the tray part number, or if you're still under warranty, just send a replacement out.

I think I'm a few months out of warranty, but thank you anyway.