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@c-attack Appreciate the prompt response. Have done a few tests based on your comments and yeah, any +Vcore (from idle) = +15/20 C cpu temp spikes. -Vcore, the temp drops slowly back to idle-ish temp. Last question, and mostly with my inexperience with AIOs - wouldn’t one expect odd/variable pump rpms if there was a blockage? Seems like the pump would have to work harder to get through that? All said, thank you for the information, and my instinct was that this cooler was end of life. Ordered three different coolers earlier today, concerned mostly about the fit b/c of the old form factor. Hopefully will be back up and running by the weekend. Thanks again.

Read through several different posts in the forums about H80i, and have a feeling that my H80i is at its ‘end of life’ but wanted a sanity check and see if there is anything else I can do to troubleshoot/fix. System (2013 Build): ASUS X79 DELUXE Intel i7-4930K CPU @ 3.40GHz CORSAIR Vengeance Pro 32GB DDR3 1866 PNY GeForce GTX 770 CORSAIR Hydro Series H80i (Bought Nov 2013) system has no overclocking turned off XMP for RAM Q Fan control for cpu_fan header disabled in BIOS radiator hoses installed down (as recommended in the H80i installation manual) motherboard/internal temp generally between 32C - 36C Issue: About 2-3 weeks ago started seeing thermal throttling (@> 80C) often on my pc. Currently, the pc idle temp is ~60C. That's at ~15% cpu load. During any short cpu spike ~20 sec (something as simple as opening chrome with like 5 tabs) then back to idle, the temp will go from ~60C to at/over ~80C in less than 10 seconds. temp will creep back down to near idle slowly after. Haven’t tried intensive/long duration tasks as they just seem to peg the temp, then cpu throttling begins. Troubleshooting/Diagnostic Steps Performed (none fix the issue): First, I pulled the fans/radiator to give a good cleaning. There was some dust accumulation, but IMHO, not enough to be the sole issue. Second, pulled the block and reapplied new thermal paste. Third, installed Corsair Link. CL shows cpu temp consistent with the cpu temp in the little ASUS program that comes with the MB , both H80i fans are running ~2200-2400 rpm and pump reports ~2240 rpm. In Corsair Link, pump rpm does not change speed when toggle profile between performance, balanced, quiet. always stays between 2235-2250 rpm My conclusions: The fact that the cpu is running so hot at idle, and the temp spikes so much so quickly makes me think that while the fans/pump are running, there isn’t enough fluid in the loop for meaningful cooling? Or perhaps there is a blockage, but if that were the case, would anticipate fluctuations in the pump rpm? (or that there would be no rpm b/c it burnt itself out?) Know the product is now at like 2x design life, so my instinct is to look for another cpu cooling solution, but would like to hear any other thoughts on how to diagnose/troubleshoot/fix this issue if possible. Thanks!