Issue with NZXT Kraken Z73 pump operation.
Issue with NZXT Kraken Z73 pump operation.
I recently purchased a new Kraken Z73 from microcenter, but it isn’t functioning properly. I installed Windows today and when I returned to my PC, it was stuck in BIOS mode because the CPU overheated. It was idling at 55°C inside the BIOS. The coolant tubes didn’t feel cold, and when I touched the pump, it wasn’t vibrating. After restarting the PC, I noticed the pump would vibrate briefly before stopping. I searched online but couldn’t find any information about the issue, so I’m concerned it might need a replacement. I’m using an ASUS X670E-E board with a 7900X chipset. Steps I tried: reseated the SATA power cable, connected the 3-pin pump to CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, and CHA_FAN headers, set Q-Fan control to Full, and re-applied thermal paste.
Check if the fans are connected to a power source and confirm they’re linked to a fan header, including the CPU fan.
The pump seems to be broken. I suggest returning it and getting a replacement. Before doing so, inspect the cable for any damage and confirm the connections are correct.
I visited Microcenter and received a replacement part. The same problem persists. Changing my BIOS seems like the final option I consider.
The BIOS update likely played a role. Everything seems to be working now, but I’m still unsure if the other pump was faulty since its vibrations feel distinct compared to the new one.
Now it's flipped. Because it's a 3-pin setup, it doesn't use PWM. The pump should run at full speed when the fan header isn't connected. On my PWM connection for the pump, it's just one cable—just for RPM. Grounding comes from the Molex plug I have.