Rattling Noise from iCUE LINK H170i Cooler After Cold Startup

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

Hi, I have the iCUE LINK H170i Liquid Cooler, and I've noticed something strange with it. When I turn off the power supply and then turn it back on, during startup, the pump runs for a few seconds, stops, and then starts making a rattling noise for a few seconds before going back to normal. This only happens when I completely switch off the power supply. When I shut down and restart the PC normally, it doesn't happen. I've already submitted a support ticket regarding this issue, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.
 

 

[NkJ]

Hey this happens, pump curve in current firmware isn't 'optimized' properly on startup. Its going slowly to a normal operating speed, that's why you hear that sound. 

Wait for 

 to be released that addresses this issue. 

Edited October 18 by NkJ

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

Hmm ok. It only does this on a cold boot up and not a normal startup. I also use fast startup so maby that makes the difference. I contacted corsair support about this and they didn't say anything about the low speed issue. I'm just wondering why low speed would make it sound like rattling.

[NkJ]

I have same behavior on LINK H150i and H100i devices like you have. Around 5-7 seconds until pump reaches normal speed in hardware mode, around 2400 RPM. I think this was introduced in firmware where they changed curve behavior for RX fans to have gradual ramp up curve, but it appears that this change was applied on all devices, from pump to fans. Usually when pump is turned on, it should reach operating speed as soon as device is initialized when device is powered on. This changes when iCUE takes control over the hub.  This also caused liquid temperature to spike for a couple of seconds until pump is moving enough of liquid thru the system. 

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

AH ok. And since this happens on a Cold Startup and not a Normal Boot since the PC starts from the Fast Startup the curve is pre-loaded in the startup file I wonder

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

@NkJSo are you saying that yours also Rattling on a cold startup? 

[NkJ]

6 minutes ago, Richard Dewey Hammers said:

@NkJSo are you saying that yours also Rattling on a cold startup? 

Yes, I can reproduce this by setting the pump speed from 1100 RPM to 1300 RPM range where rattling sound appears. I'm on Linux with my own program for link system hub, but if you can drop pump to 1100-1300 in iCUE, this will happen. And this happens to you only when pump starts up after cold startup, since it gradually moves towards default 2000+ RPM until iCUE takes over, but in that process, it reaches ranges from 1100-1300 RPM. 

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

8 hours ago, NkJ said:

Yes, I can reproduce this by setting the pump speed from 1100 RPM to 1300 RPM range where rattling sound appears. I'm on Linux with my own program for link system hub, but if you can drop pump to 1100-1300 in iCUE, this will happen. And this happens to you only when pump starts up after cold startup, since it gradually moves towards default 2000+ RPM until iCUE takes over, but in that process, it reaches ranges from 1100-1300 RPM. 

ah OK. Ya in Windows with ICUE I can only set the speed using the Quiet (2450 RPM) / Balanced (2630 RPM) / Extreme (2840 RPM)

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

@NkJAlso what is odd is when I asked corsair about the firmware in the ticket they said 

Quote

In regards to the Firmware that you are referencing, this would not make any changes in the noise that you are experiencing. Additionally, the firmware that was part of the beta release is now the current firmware. 

In regards to the rattling, it's possible this could be caused by the Voltage Regulator Module Fan (VRM Fan) on the pump itself. 

But when I checked my firmware its on v2.9.488 and not 2.9.501

They wanted to Replace it but I said not now since from what you said it sounds like its just the low speed issue. 

Edited October 28 by Richard Dewey Hammers

[NkJ]

Please pay attention after the rattling sound, how pump speed is stepping up slowly towards 2400 RPM. I have no idea why support is saying this is VRM Fan Cooler issue. Its simple, when PSU power is cut and machine is first time started, pump starts -> stops -> gradually goes to 2400 RPM. In range of 1100-1300 rattling sound appears. Also, see how fast liquid temp is going up until pump reaches 2400 RPM, and then starts to go down. 

Edited October 28 by NkJ

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

Ok cool thanks! Also not sure if the software issue has to do with this but normally my pc will take 14 seconds to BOIS startup but randomly it will take around 21 seconds. Could it be with this software issue? My motherboard has codes and shows it gets stuck on 99 and 98 for a few seconds which has to do with the plugged in USB connections like the ICue Link System Hub. Theses are all the things I have plugged in. Im at a loss on what would be casusing this.

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

@NkJ have you noticed any BOIS startup issues with the link system hub where the BOIS startup time is randomly starting at either 14 or 21 seconds in my case. Like I said in my past post im unsure what is casuing this but Im starting to think It might be from the hub

[NkJ]

9 hours ago, Richard Dewey Hammers said:

@NkJ have you noticed any BOIS startup issues with the link system hub where the BOIS startup time is randomly starting at either 14 or 21 seconds in my case. Like I said in my past post im unsure what is casuing this but Im starting to think It might be from the hub

I did not. I have DDR4 and DDR5 platforms with H150I and H100I LINK with LCD. Only time when it takes longer is when power is cut and memory is re-trained. 

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

@NkJalso one more thing. I noticed a loud buzzing sound when Im close to the pump head. I take it this is normal as its around 2800 RPMs

0 

[NkJ]

Every pump will have different sound at different RPM level. 

You don't need to run the pump at 2800 RPM, since 2900 is maximum and it makes no sense to run pump at maximum constantly. 2400 RPM is just fine for liquid flow. 

[c-attack]

On 10/23/2024 at 1:02 PM, NkJ said:

Around 5-7 seconds until pump reaches normal speed in hardware mode, around 2400 RPM. I think this was introduced in firmware where they changed curve behavior

Yes, I also suspect this is in play. Doing the same thing on CUE Link Hydro X components. Not real happy it takes 12-15 seconds for my D5 pump to change speed from 2000 to 4000 rpm. Most D5 units have a rumble zone in the 3000s and this keeps me in it too long, as well as simulating a dying pump with the languid changes. This needs to get corrected for the AIO and hydro X units. 

[Richard Dewey Hammers]

8 hours ago, NkJ said:

Every pump will have different sound at different RPM level. 

You don't need to run the pump at 2800 RPM, since 2900 is maximum and it makes no sense to run pump at maximum constantly. 2400 RPM is just fine for liquid flow. 

@NkJOk I had it at Extreme which sets it at 2800 and now I have it at Quiet which is now on 2400, I had it at Extreme since I have the i9 13900K I was thinking I need the pump to be a full blast to keep it cool

[NkJ]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:16 PM, c-attack said:

Yes, I also suspect this is in play. Doing the same thing on CUE Link Hydro X components. Not real happy it takes 12-15 seconds for my D5 pump to change speed from 2000 to 4000 rpm. Most D5 units have a rumble zone in the 3000s and this keeps me in it too long, as well as simulating a dying pump with the languid changes. This needs to get corrected for the AIO and hydro X units. 

Correct. It's really unknown why is latest firmware kept in beta this amount of time. I've managed to pinpoint firmware where they optimized RX fan curve, since RX fans did ramp up from 10-100% in like 1 second, and this affects longevity of the motor, rapid starting and rapid stopping.