Is my thermal paste messed up or my water cooler? (Antec Kuhler 650)

[broduz]

So I replaced my stock AMD FX cooler with an Antec Kuhler H2O 650 V2 about 6 months ago. My stock cooler was a bit noisy but never got that hot, even on sweltering Australian summer days. The highest it really ever got was in the high 40s (Celsius).

Now my CPU bounces between 20 and fucking 70 degrees. Its inconsistent and I'm scared

I was super careful and shit when installing it, watched like 20 videos to be absolutely certain I did everything right, but I did have a bit of trouble clamping that * down so the default paste may have touched the CPU a few times before settling. At first it was reasonably good, but still not noticeably better than the stock cooler. Now it seems a lot worse and fluctuates wildly despite no significant load.

I don't really know whats causing the problem. I don't really want to replace the thermal paste again only to find out its the cooler that's messed up. Is there anyway to identify the issue?

Thanks in advance. Apologies for the swearing.

<Language please>

 

[Winly]

well you need to make sure you applied that thermal paste correct as well as the cooler.

 

[delaro]

Cheap thermal paste dries/bakes out and has to be reapplied. I would reapply the paste and try again this is the easiest thing to explore.

 

[broduz]

Cheap thermal paste dries/bakes out and has to be reapplied. I would reapply the paste and try again this is the easiest thing to explore.

Thanks. But would Antec really apply cheap thermal paste to their coolers? I can understand a stock cooler or something low-end, but it seems strange that Antec would skimp on pre-applied thermal paste. Anyway I'll give it a go. Thanks again.

 

[Winly]

Cheap thermal paste dries/bakes out and has to be reapplied. I would reapply the paste and try again this is the easiest thing to explore.

Thanks. But would Antec really apply cheap thermal paste to their coolers? I can understand a stock cooler or something low-end, but it seems strange that Antec would skimp on pre-applied thermal paste. Anyway I'll give it a go. Thanks again.

Well, but we dont know what Antec uses, thats why I alwasy buy some high quality thermal paste and have a spare one for future uses. It always comes in handy.

 

[delaro]

Cheap thermal paste dries/bakes out and has to be reapplied. I would reapply the paste and try again this is the easiest thing to explore.

Thanks. But would Antec really apply cheap thermal paste to their coolers? I can understand a stock cooler or something low-end, but it seems strange that Antec would skimp on pre-applied thermal paste. Anyway I'll give it a go. Thanks again.

Well, but we dont know what Antec uses, thats why I alwasy buy some high quality thermal paste and have a spare one for future uses. It always comes in handy.

The grey hard stuff that comes preapplied is Cheap, I always remove that crap regardless what brand is stamped on the box of the Cooler. Now if they give me a small Tube that is normally a better quality product.

 

[bmacsys]

So I replaced my stock AMD FX cooler with an Antec Kuhler H2O 650 V2 about 6 months ago. My stock cooler was a bit noisy but never got that hot, even on sweltering Australian summer days. The highest it really ever got was in the high 40s (Celsius).

Now my CPU bounces between 20 and fucking 70 degrees. Its inconsistent and I'm scared

I was super careful and shit when installing it, watched like 20 videos to be absolutely certain I did everything right, but I did have a bit of trouble clamping that * down so the default paste may have touched the CPU a few times before settling. At first it was reasonably good, but still not noticeably better than the stock cooler. Now it seems a lot worse and fluctuates wildly despite no significant load.

I don't really know whats causing the problem. I don't really want to replace the thermal paste again only to find out its the cooler that's messed up. Is there anyway to identify the issue?

Thanks in advance. Apologies for the swearing.

<Language please>

Is the fan/radiator have accumulated dust? Is the water block/pump perfectly flat on the cpu heat spreader?