Corsair H100i v2 not working?

Hi all

I am not sure if my H100i v2 water cooler is working as it should anymore. It seems that temperatures are just way to high and also the fans are running too fast and creating a lot of noise, and I am not even doing anything on the PC, just starting windows up.

I would appreciate it if we could go through some diagnostic steps to help see where the issue is. I've had the H100i v2 since December 2016 and it's always been a bit odd, a lot of crackling/popping/bubbling sounds, but they seem to have gone now by turning the cooler on it's side for a few days, and instead I've got very high temps when I'm not even doing anything. As soon as the fans speed up I need to wear headphones because it is very irritating.

I've attached a screenshot of my iCue software showing all the fan and temp readouts at idle.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9YbjJne-sr4aX3KQw?e=sXdmx1

If we can come up with a step by step diagnostic to figure out what's wrong that would be super helpful

Thanks in advance

S.

First, you need to check that the fan header that the pump is connected to is properly powered. See the AIO FAQ for details on this.

And the screen cap doesn't look promising. However, we'd also need to know a bit about the installation, then case that you are using and the orientation of the fans (intake vs. exhaust). Furthermore, improperly powering the pump can cause all kinds of issues - and also lead to early pump failure.

Thanks for the reply

So yes, the pump is connected to CPU_FAN and in the BIOS I have Q-FAN control disabled as you can see in my photo

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9Yfd9pXE1sAaZ68UQ?e=aaHg2c

My case is the Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ATX TG ATX Mid Tower Case (i have my full specs on my profile if you need to know more)

Regarding how it's all installed, they radiator and fans are installed at the top of the case and set to exhaust

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9Yc9rf7f6j9k2gMvw?e=u2EFwK

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9YdC-6hDJKJAObKRw?e=7omW0L

thanks again

S.

Have to ask about the fan settings - that's probably the single most common issue that we see with the series of pumps.

As for the rest of it ... it's possible that it's due to the orientation combined with the case. The top of the EvolvX has limited venting and so heat can build up at the top. We've seen this on a couple of cases that have semi-restricted tops. What I'd suggest that you try is to reverse the airflow to intake. This won't cause the same build up of heat in the top (which can prevent the radiator from cooling down) that can cause issues.

For the record - I also have the EvolvX. I have an H100i Platinum in it, mounted on the top, as intake. And that works well.

Now ... with all of that said ... the temp delta between your coolant and your CPU is more than I'd expect at that load. Is your CPU overclocked at all? Delidded?

Hi DevBiker

To answer your questions, no my CPU is neither overclocked, nor desealed/delidded.

Nice to know you have the same case, and I may well change the orientation if it proves that's all the issue here, but I think as you say, that something else is at play here.

So, before you had replied, I prodded the tubes a little and moved them about, thinking that might get the flow going again...and now I can hear rattling like I used to if I tap my desk a little...this was normal behaviour until a couple of weeks ago when I moved my computer into a different room and everything went quiet in regards to bubbling/crackling.

Now, after idling for a while, I have these temperatures (much better)

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9Yroa3TAMEmmtBGmw?e=lFYzeb

and I've taken a video of the new rattling coming from the pump/tubing. It was like this for the first 2 years or so when I installed it, and only in the last couple of weeks it went dead silent, when the heating issues started. Now after bending the tubes the noise has come back and the rattling started again...

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9YsE936f6jt56YfhA?e=FtVNcF

Hopefully we are narrowing this down

Cheers

S.

I'm having this exact issue with my V2. I went as far in troubleshooting as to pull my CPU out and reinstall it in a different PC to check if it was my CPU or the cooler that was bad. I reinstalled thermal paste. I checked all the connections. Still under load I was pushing 100C. Complete with the rattling.

When I would check CUE the temperature reading from the cooler would be in the 30s or 40s at idle but my CPU idled in the 70s.

Yesterday I went to Microcenter and bought just a new cooler.

Not sure that helps solve the issue of what's wrong but I'd figured I'd share my story since it's similar to this.

I'm running the Blender classroom benchmark to put it under some stress, and the CPU's are at 100degrees (which i'm guessing isn't good)

The AIO is reading better temps than it did this morning, it's not going over 52degrees during this stress test. This morning it was reaching the high 40's at idle.

during stress test

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9cBoMmZNIhhA7GBCA?e=rYPhBO

This has been my first and only AIO water cooler, so I never knew how it should perform. I'd like to know if it's faulty or just if my setup is wrong, and then I can think about replacing it with a newer model or another solution (noctua nh-d15).

thanks

S.

I'm running the Blender classroom benchmark to put it under some stress, and the CPU's are at 100degrees (which i'm guessing isn't good)

 

The AIO is reading better temps than it did this morning, it's not going over 52degrees during this stress test. This morning it was reaching the high 40's at idle.

 

during stress test

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akv9AMCEJ_Wxh9cBoMmZNIhhA7GBCA?e=rYPhBO

 

This has been my first and only AIO water cooler, so I never knew how it should perform. I'd like to know if it's faulty or just if my setup is wrong, and then I can think about replacing it with a newer model or another solution (noctua nh-d15).

 

thanks

S.

I just got my new cooler installed. Full load under my busted H100i V2 was close to 100F. I'm running full load right now with the new cooler (Folding@Home and GTAV) and I'm steady in the low 60s.

I'd say based off my experience with this issue over the past week or so just go get a new cooler if you continue to get issues.

Of note: When I initially went to redo the thermal paste on my V2 I noticed a tiny amount of moisture on the CPU. Enough that it caught my attention but I wasn't sure if it was from the paste or not. I'm kinda wondering if the copper plate on the pump has been leaking slowly. You and I got our V2s around the same time. So I'm not sure. When I pulled my V2 radiator off this morning it definitely seemed on the light side and shaking it produced a splashing sound like it wasn't full or something so I'm wondering if it may have leaked liquid slowly and let some air into the loop.

Just a theory.

OK - so you've pretty much confirmed that there is some kind of blockage. If prodding/moving the tubes "cleared things up" - that's a pretty clear indication. The movement dislodged the blockage and allowed the coolant to flow. However, it'll be a matter of time before it causes issues again.

Fortunately the cooler has a 5 year warranty. I would recommend replacing it.