Is my H100i Gtx semi dead?
Is my H100i Gtx semi dead?
Hey guys, I'm dealing with a Corsair H100i GTX that's cooling my 5820k. It's been working pretty well for about a year now, but lately the cooler isn't functioning properly on any benchmark tests. I've had to lower the temperature from 4.5ghz to 4ghz or even lower to get decent performance. It still cools down when idle and performs okay during games. If I run Cinebench at 4ghz with 1.18V, I'm seeing mid-80s to 90c temps. Should I replace the cooler now? Is this a typical issue before it fails completely? I've tried other models like the H115i Extreme and even at 4.3ghz on a 10-minute test, my hottest core only reached 63c. People are suggesting I look into replacing it, but what's the best choice—H115i Extreme or NZXT Kraken x61/x62?
I've consistently relied on the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO for my air-cooled systems.
With temperatures climbing steadily, it's worth checking this out.
Temperatures reaching 90 °C or above can accelerate CPU wear or cause failure.
Consider adjusting the BIOS to force the cooler to run at maximum RPMs continuously.
If that doesn't help, you'll likely need a different CPU cooler.
I'd even recommend limiting computer use to basic tasks like Word until you're sure.
Well, the idle temperatures are typical around 29-32°C while gaming. If I maintain stock speeds, I rarely go above 58°C. Anything above that feels like it’s completely out of control, even with a high benchmark of 85-90°C. It seems the pump is working harder than expected. I previously used an Evo 212 with my 5820k before it failed; now I’m getting a new 5820k from Intel, which runs very well and needs a lot more voltage to reach speeds beyond 4.3GHz.
MERGED QUESTION
Question from ChriffeR : "Is my H100i GTX Semi-Dead?"
ChriffeR :
Hey guys, so I have a Corsair H100i GTX cooling my 5820k, it's been doing pretty OK for a year or so now, but as of lately my cooler will not work what so ever on any small type of benchmark. I've had to dial it back from 4.5ghz to 4ghz and sometimes lower to get semi-decent temps. It'll cool it on idling just fine, it does OK on gaming.
If I run Cinebench even @ 4ghz 1.18V's I'm reaching mid 80s to 90c on such a quick benchmark test. Should I just replace the cooler now? Is it this normal behavior before the cooler dies? I've tried out my buddies H115i Extreme and @ 4.3ghz on a 10minute benchmark my hottest core was only 63c.
Looking for opinions, it only seems to run overly hot on benchmarks, even semi-warm in gaming as high as 65c+ at just only 4ghz. If you recommend to replace it, do you recommend an H115i Extreme, or NZXT Kraken x61/x62?
Well I dont know how long the H100i AIO has been in your system Chriffer.
But if it has been fitted for a year or more, when was the last time you took the cooling fans off the radiator and gave it a good clean from dust buildup between the aluminium fins of the radiator ?
If your answer is never then I suggest that you give the radiator a good clean with a small, clean paint brush that is dry and has not been used for painting with.
You would be surprised how hot the loop gets once air flow from the fans is restricted by a good buildup of dust trapped in the radiator fins.
It`s worth a check for the time it takes.
There is a common belief that adding water will improve temperature performance, but it's not accurate. The problems are clear...
a) Testing over time shows water flow remains ineffective beyond 1.00 to 1.25 gpm; below that performance drops sharply—H100i operates around 0.11 gpm.
b) The H100i uses an aluminum radiator, which offers a much lower heat transfer rate than copper.
c) To match air coolers, CLCs must use very high-speed fans, which are also quite loud.
d) Since CLCs are closed systems, corrosion inhibitors and anti-agents lose effectiveness over time.
But the evidence supports this claim... see 17:12 on YouTube.
The H100i struggles to keep up with the Noctua NH-D15, which maintains a cooler CPU than the H100i, but does so by spinning its fans extremely loudly—about 12 times noisier.
Now all that is worth noting...
a) How long has the unit been in use? This illustrates what happens when aluminum radiators and copper water blocks corrode over time.
b) You likely replaced the block, cleaned the CPU, applied fresh TIM, and cleaned the radiators.
c) Are the pump and fan speeds identical to those before?
I've owned this cooler for well over a year, I'm OCD so it gets cleaned monthly, from the human eye I cannot see ANY dust in the fins of the radiator, or the fans. I've cleaned the chip multiple times, also tried multiple thermal pastes, as well as trying different methods, pea, larger than pea, line method. etc etc All of the RPMs are exactly the same. Pump runs at 3k, fans @ balanced run at about 1500 rpms.
Simple tasks as browsing the web, watching youtube @ 4ghz is hitting 60c. It used to NEVER do this.
It's clear the cooler is failing, and the core #2 has reached 70 degrees Celsius.