Problems with cooling in AIO water coolers
Problems with cooling in AIO water coolers
Hi everyone.
I'm trying to figure this out and ended up writing this post.
The build is a BQ Dark Base Pro 900.
CPU is an i7 2600k (4.5ghz).
GPU is a 780ti, and I haven't overclocked it yet—I'm hoping the next generation of NVIDIA models will let me upgrade the setup.
I'm using 5760x1080 resolution.
There are two 140mm intake fans on the front, one 140mm fan at the bottom, plus a 140mm output fan on top, two 120mm fans on the GPU AIO cooler (120 rad, push-pull), and two 120mm fans on the CPU AIO cooler (also 120 rad, push-pull).
All fans are controlled via the case fan controller, which is set to the low speed by default.
At idle, the CPU stays around 35-40°C, and the GPU is similar, about 34-36°C.
When I play games, the CPU peaks at 58-62°C, which has always been the norm.
The GPU, however, gets hotter than expected. I'm using a Corsair H75 with a Kraken G12 cooler.
In-game it reaches around 66-68°C, and my benchmark tests confirm that.
With all fans running at full speed, temperatures drop to about 54-56°C, but the noise is still bothersome.
Reviews and videos suggest the G12 model runs around 45°C under full load, so I'm confused as to why mine is so warm. The top of the case is extremely hot—there are only a few vents at the top, so I've removed all plastic components to improve airflow.
I also tried taking the entire top off, but temperatures stayed the same.
I've applied thermal grizzly and double-checked that the AIO cooler fits properly.
Airflow in these BQ cases isn't great, but with the side panel and top vented setup, it only lowers temperatures by 3-4°C.
Anyone have suggestions on what to try next? Or any tips for water cooling the 780ti? The case sits under a desk, but with good ventilation, only the top vents are causing my knees to sweat!
The increased heat on the GPU compared to the CPU happens because GPUs naturally run hotter and are designed for higher temperatures. Also, keep in mind the silicon lotto involved. If you were operating at 80C with half the load, we'd need to look into the problem.
That said, a temperature of 68C is quite acceptable for your GPU when it's under full load. It wouldn't be worth worrying about.
The temperatures seem acceptable and appear typical. The temperature variation you observe might stem from a cooler component on a lower power card. For instance, on PC Gamer, the temperature fell from 80°C to 45°C when using a GTX 1080. The Founder's 1080 is a 180W model, while the 780 Ti consumes 250W. This could account for the differences in heat output.
The 240mm radiator helps lower temperatures by increasing cooling efficiency for the GPU. Since GPUs consume a lot of power, especially high-end models, they generate more heat that must be removed.
As others have stated, your temps are fine. Theres no need to have the side or top off. If your temps aren't hitting 90+ you are completely fine.
Pointing out that your airflow is weak, the ideal situation would be maintaining similar or slightly lower temperatures with the case side panel on, enabling proper air movement through the case and out. Additionally, as others mentioned, you're attempting to cool a 250W TDP chip using a 120mm liquid cooler that isn't designed for such power levels. Standard 120mm radiators made from brass and copper usually reach their limit around 150-160W for a 10C temperature difference unless you're running high-speed fans. This setup would still be the most effective and affordable option in this case.
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