Question I need a new CPU air cooler ASAP ?

[sluggynomnom]

Hello. I purchased an NZXT pre-build back in 2021 that comes with an NZXT Kraken M22 in a NZXT H510 case.

The first year, I was pretty clueless about PCs. But then the more I did, such as gaming and streaming, I had lags while using and my PC dying on me multiple times when I was streaming on Twitch via OBS. So I downloaded HWiNFO64 to track my temps. It was unusually high at over 90 degrees. I added an exhaust fan, a Noctua NF-F12, on top of the case (April 2023). The issue wasn't resolved, so I sent it to BestBuy Geek Squad. They claimed it to be an "outdated BIOS" that caused the overheating (Nov 2023). The PC has been fine since then. Today (Fed 2024), I updated my BIOS (from F63 to F64F), and my CPU is now sitting above 75 degrees at idle, 95 when I simply using Chrome. When I streamed, everything was slowed. I have reinstalled the BIOS version and currently on F63 (This is only a summary of events, not all)

I did some research today and found this forum on here about the NZXT Kraken M22 on a similar issue. I found myself relating to that OP on the issues. The loud crackling sounds during start-up, and the CPU fails to be cooled... It is a crappy doo-doo water garbage that usually dies within a year... (I didn't know that.... 😕) When I touched the cooler, one of the two lines/tubes? was warm... The core that sit on top of the CPU was also warm to the touch... I think it's time that I need to throw that garbage out and get something better to save my CPU from dying...

Okay, you can call me stupid or whatever, I am not tech-savvy when it comes to PCs yet. I just never connected the dots...
I need some help looking for an air-fan CPU cooler, and figuring out what size, what brand, how to mount and wire it on the MOBO, and the BIOS settings on Smart Fan 5 Settings.

Please and thank you! 🙏

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
CPU cooler: NZXT Kraken M22
Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 Aorus Pro Wifi
Ram: Team T-Force Vulcan Z 3200MHZ 16GB
SSD/HDD: M.2 SSD 1.0 TB
GPU: Geforce RTX™ 3070
PSU: 600W Bronze, 3 years
Chassis: NZXT H510 (WHITE)
OS: Windows 11
Monitor: ASUS VG278QR 27”
BIOS Version: F63

 

[Lafong]

Today (Fed 2024), I updated my BIOS, and my CPU is now sitting above 75 degrees in idle, 95 when I simply using Chrome.

75 today when idling using new BIOS.

What were temps yesterday, with old BIOS?

There's a variety of air coolers you could use, ranging from circa 40 dollars on up.

Your case specs say "Max CPU Cooler Clearance:165mm", which means virtually any air cooler will fit.

Are you concerned at all with cooler fan noise?

How much can you spend? Differences among the candidates might relate more to lower noise or ease of installation than signficantly lower temps.

 

[SkyNetRising]

The PC has been fine since then. Today (Fed 2024), I updated my BIOS (from F63 to F64F), and my CPU is now sitting above 75 degrees at idle, 95 when I simply using Chrome. I have reinstalled the BIOS version and currently on F63 (This is only a summary of events, not all)

So you updated BIOS out of boredom and messed up your pc.
Probably there were some custom AIO related settings, that got reset with BIOS update.

AIO pump should be running at constant/full speed. Pump speed should not be regulated.

 

[35below0]

You're not stupid. It's easy to mess PCs up.

The solution is simple at least. Try to reset BIOS to factory defaults. It might restore cooling.
If not, grab a Deepcool AK400 or AS500 and install it. They're not too expensive and perform well. You'll have to remove the existing AIO and maybe clean up old thermal past before applying new.

You can search online for alternative air coolers. Read some reviews. Basically stay away from cheap $15 junk. Very good coolers can be had for as little as $30 and usually you don't need to go above $60, but price is not a perfect gauge of quality.
Good brands are Thermalright, Deepcool, Noctua, beQuiet!, Corsair

It's not written in big red block letter, but it should be: "Do not update/flash BIOS unless you have to"

 

[sluggynomnom]

75 today when idling using new BIOS.

What were temps yesterday, with old BIOS?

There's a variety of air coolers you could use, ranging from circa 40 dollars on up.

Your case specs say "Max CPU Cooler Clearance:165mm", which means virtually any air cooler will fit.

Are you concerned at all with cooler fan noise?

How much can you spend? Differences among the candidates might relate more to lower noise or ease of installation than signficantly lower temps.

with the old BIOS, it was around 60 when idling. Thank you for providing the specs for the case 🙇‍♀. I am not concerned about any noise tbh, thank you for asking about that. I can spend around $200.

 

[sluggynomnom]

So you updated BIOS out of boredom and messed up your pc.
Probably there were some custom AIO related settings, that got reset with BIOS update.

AIO pump should be running at constant/full speed. Pump speed should not be regulated.

im sorry i really didnt know... I started to hear the same crackling noises from the pump a couple of weeks ago and thought that it's gonna be fixed by doing the same thing the BestBuy dude did 🙁

 

[sluggynomnom]

You're not stupid. It's easy to mess PCs up.

The solution is simple at least. Try to reset BIOS to factory defaults. It might restore cooling.
If not, grab a Deepcool AK400 or AS500 and install it. They're not too expensive and perform well. You'll have to remove the existing AIO and maybe clean up old thermal past before applying new.

You can search online for alternative air coolers. Read some reviews. Basically stay away from cheap $15 junk. Very good coolers can be had for as little as $30 and usually you don't need to go above $60, but price is not a perfect gauge of quality.
Good brands are Thermalright, Deepcool, Noctua, beQuiet!, Corsair

It's not written in big red block letter, but it should be: "Do not update/flash BIOS unless you have to"

Okay. I will try resetting the BIOS today.
Thank you for the recommendations... I will check it out.

I was looking at a Noctua one. I have one as an exhaust fan and it's pretty good in quality for sure.

Thank you so much. Now I know, learnt from the hard way :')

 

[SkyNetRising]

I started to hear the same crackling noises from the pump a couple of weeks ago

How is radiator installed into pc case?
Kraken M22 has pump integrated into radiator.
Therefore radiator can not be placed at highest point of the loop.

Can you show a photo of your system with side panel removed?
(upload to imgur.com and post link)