Corsair H70 making crackling sounds. Help me understand this.

[btarunr]

The block of the Corsair H70 I just installed on my rig is making some "cracking" sounds. I made a video of it to help you hear it, it's not as loud as it is in the video, but it's audible from outside, under normal listening conditions. I'm pretty sure it's the block and not the rad+fan that's making these sounds, because they're connected to separate fan headers, and unplugging the one the block is connected to, makes the sound go away.

Suggestions?

http://youtu.be/EKkHbM5uQDQ

 

[sneekypeet]

Sounds like the impeller to me, and that is not a sound I typically hear when testing!

If this unit is new, I would RMA it!

 

[cadaveca]

Sound like the impeller or the impeller shaft might be rubbing. It could be the fan controller in the unit, maybe.


Make sure you don't plug this unit into your motherboard, use molex adapters if you have to. the H100's had issues back some time ago with PSUs giving more than 12V. Also having voltage too low at the pump can really hamper performance of these units. The h100 is a completely different design though.

 

[btarunr]

I must point out that the bolts holding the frame to the backplate are super-tight. Could that cause the pump's impeller to make this sound?

 

[cadaveca]

I must point out that the bolts holding the frame to the backplate are super-tight. Could that cause the pump's impeller to make this sound?

Maybe if it was twisting the head unit a bit. you'd think that'd take some excessive force though.

 

[sneekypeet]

No the threads/screws on the AIO units are supposed to be sent all the way home when installing it.

 

[cadaveca]

No the threads/screws on the AIO units are supposed to be sent all the way home when installing it.

the H70 used those silly plastic clip mountings, I can see how it could be mounted wrong since both the plastic and metal can flex fairly easily. I Also think that the mounting distance is a bit too small for AMD set-ups, mounting one up would show you what I mean, hard to explain..like the CPUs sit 1-2 mm too high.

 

[RejZoR]

Update firmware. I've heard numerous stories how Corsair Hydro's are grinding. And solution was supposedly a firmware update for it.

 

[sneekypeet]

I realized this is the ring and plastic backer, but on all the ones I had tested, and sent the screws in until they stop spinning, I have never had it affect the head unit or the impeller.

I would assume if there was any chance of this, you could simply remove the head unit from the motherboard and jump the 24-pin and see if the pump still makes that noise.

 

[cadaveca]

good idea, 'peet.

Update firmware. I've heard numerous stories how Corsair Hydro's are grinding. And solution was supposedly a firmware update for it.

NO firmware on H70, no way to update that cooler. H100/H80, H80i, H100i all can be updated via the Corsair LINK stuff.

 

[btarunr]

the H70 used those silly plastic clip mountings, I can see how it could be mounted wrong since both the plastic and metal can flex fairly easily. I Also think that the mounting distance is a bit too small for AMD set-ups, mounting one up would show you what I mean, hard to explain..like the CPUs sit 1-2 mm too high.

Oh yes, the installation was a bitch. I first followed all instructions, and the block would simply not go into the O-ring, even with the ring raised maximum, and the bolts at bare minimum (for highest clearance). So I first locked the block on to the O-ring's grooves, and then placed the sucker onto the CPU, and turned the bolts through the backplate's nuts from zero to full-turn (as if I'm installing on LGA2011).

 

[RejZoR]

Interesting, i didn't have any problems with the O ring on my Antec H2O 920. LGA1366... Unless system used on COrsair's is wastly different...

 

[sneekypeet]

Interesting, i didn't have any problems with the O ring on my Antec H2O 920. LGA1366... Unless system used on COrsair's is wastly different...

It is exactly the same, but as Dave mentioned, the AMD IHS is taller off the board than Intel is. Thus it makes the screws short if you will. So while Intel allows you to install the ring, and then the head unit, with AMD it has to go on as one piece to allow you to get the threads started without clearance issues doing it as instructed.

@ BTA, have you tried loosening the head unit or removing it yet?

 

[btarunr]

@ BTA, have you tried loosening the head unit or removing it yet?

Did a complete re-install from scratch. I made sure there's only moderate pressure on the block from the RM. Temperatures have gone down, but the sound persists.

CPU_Fan is the block, CHA_Fan1 is the rear 120 mm fan (radiator), and CHA_Fan2 is a slow 140 mm Noctua intake. Any chance that the 1500 RPM that's being reported is the actual speed of the pump?

 

[sneekypeet]

1500 is pump speed yes!

 

[btarunr]

1500 is pump speed yes!

Would you say that 1500 RPM is ok for a pump?

 

[cadaveca]

CPU_Fan is the block, CHA_Fan1 is the rear 120 mm fan (radiator), and CHA_Fan2 is a slow 140 mm Noctua intake. Any chance that the 1500 RPM that's being reported is the actual speed of the pump?

Get that off the mobo header!!!!

I see about 1700-1800 RPM via molex. I have two H70's. On a motherboard, is normal for 1500-1600 RPM. It's fine, but the noise could be caused by an air bubble lodged in the pump head. They use a dry sponge in the head that expands when filling the unit to take up air pocket, but that method doesn't work very well so there is always air gaps in these coolers. My H90 sounds like it could use another 16 CC of fluid, rather annoying, actually..it actually "splashes" when I shake the rad.

You should have rad fan plugged into mobo CPU header, and the pump connected via molex, for best results with these coolers.

 

[sneekypeet]

Get that off the mobo header!!!!

I see about 1800 RPM via molex. I have two H70's.

I was going to say that I thought it was closer to 2000RPM as well. If you do get more speed with an adapter, and the noise is still there, sorry to say, but you might have a bad unit on your hands.

 

[btarunr]

OK, all that's left to be done is make sure Corsair handles RMA here. The cooler came with a "don't return to retailer" note.

 

[sneekypeet]

Indeed, this is why I kept saying RMA over take it back to the store