Are you facing issues with your PC not posting after updating the AIO?
Are you facing issues with your PC not posting after updating the AIO?
I own a prebuilt Ibuypower PC that originally came with an AIO die. I replaced the 120mm AIO with an Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360mm model, but now the system won’t start. When I press power, all fans spin—PSU, GPU, case, radiator—but after about 15 seconds it automatically shuts down and enters a boot loop. I’m trying to figure out what to do next. I’ve removed each part individually to check for issues, tried connecting cables properly, even re-seated the CMOS battery, but nothing’s working. I’ve confirmed every connection is secure and the motherboard appears fine. My specs are: model bb953, motherboard Asrock z370 IB-R, CPU i7 8700k, RAM Adata 2x8 at 2666MHz, 1TB Adata SSD, GPU Asus RTX 2080. I noticed the CPU socket is LGA1151 while the AIO only supports LGA1700. There’s a discussion about compatibility solutions and a similar setup that worked with my processor. I managed to get the cooler to fit tightly and cover the CPU, but I’m unsure if this atypical installation is the reason for the failure.
The kit is tailored for this socket and its purpose is clear. I believe a snug fit is more appropriate than a loose one. I’ve used many coolers on different sockets before and never faced issues. The mounting screws shouldn’t be overly tight, allowing movement while still securing the gap to the CPU. Heat causes expansion and contraction, so they should stay in place using a spring mechanism—either real springs or a flexible mount design—not a rigid clamp. I usually keep the screwdriver slightly loose, which is the opposite of forcing a wood screw. Many YouTubers have successfully tested the machine with POSTs working fine without a cooler or with just an air cooler loosely placed on the CPU, avoiding thermal paste.