[SOLVED] Kraken M22 not cooling CPU

[sasssafrassas]

My Kraken M22 is failing to cool my Ryzen 3 CPU. At idle, it will climb from 40C to 96C, maxing out there and throttling my computer. Obviously this is less than ideal. When I first installed the part, it would idle at 30C overclocked, but now does not cool at stock clock speed.

I have dusted and remounted the AIO, having applied new thermal paste. The pump is on in BIOs and I can feel it circulating water. I have also screwed the thing on as tight as possible.

I am unsure if I'm missing something, or if my CPU is just reaching the end of it's life span. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sasssafrassas]

specs

 

[Phaaze88]

Cpu's don't just break like that... unless you screwed the hybrid cooler on so tight that you broke a thermal sensor - doubt it; when the user over-tightens the cooler, it usually causes boot failure.

You're sure liquid is circulating? The radiator, cpu block, and 1 of the 2 tubes, are all warm to the touch?

 

[sasssafrassas]

Cpu's don't just break like that... unless you screwed the hybrid cooler on so tight that you broke a thermal sensor - doubt it; when the user over-tightens the cooler, it usually causes boot failure.

You're sure liquid is circulating? The radiator, cpu block, and 1 of the 2 tubes, are all warm to the touch?

CPU Block is warm and one of the tubes are warm, radiator block remains mysteriously cool.

 

[Phaaze88]

The M22 is different from most other hybrid coolers out there in that the pump is in the radiator.
Cpu running at 90ish and the radiator is still cool? You say that the pump is running - you felt it.
Probably blockage, or air is trapped in there.

What is the position of the radiator in the chassis?

 

[sasssafrassas]

The M22 is different from most other hybrid coolers out there in that the pump is in the radiator.
Cpu running at 90ish and the radiator is still cool? You say that the pump is running - you felt it.
Probably blockage, or air is trapped in there.

What is the position of the radiator in the chassis?

The radiator is positioned to the left of the CPU on the rear fan mount next to the IO panel in my nzxt H700 case. I tried moving it around to try to clear any protentional air in the loop with gravity, but that's the extent of my knowledge of AIO coolers and I wasn't keen on trying to clear the loop by opening it up.

EDIT: Double checked my fans in BIOs, the CPU fan connector (coming from the radiator block) is reading 4k RPM which is what I expect from the pump, but the USB connector (coming from the CPU block) is reading 0 RPM, but I'm pretty sure that's just how the Kraken's LEDs are controlled.

 

[Phaaze88]

Oh no, I wasn't going to suggest opening it up - removing the radiator from the rear panel, moving it around some while the PC is running, to try and clear air pockets/debris, was my next suggestion though.


https://www.nzxt.com/products/kraken-m22

Pump Speed

3,000 +/- 300RPM

Fan Speed

500~2,000 +/- 300RPM

Neither one of those is rated for 4000rpm, so what's going on there...
What does NZXT CAM tell you? It was meant to be used with that.

 

[sasssafrassas]

Oh no, I wasn't going to suggest opening it up - removing the radiator from the rear panel, moving it around some while the PC is running, to try and clear air pockets/debris, was my next suggestion though.


https://www.nzxt.com/products/kraken-m22

Pump Speed

3,000 +/- 300RPM

Fan Speed

500~2,000 +/- 300RPM

Neither one of those is rated for 4000rpm, so what's going on there...
What does NZXT CAM tell you? It was meant to be used with that.

I moved it while it was running earlier but I'll try a few diff positions lol.

NZXT CAM only controls the LED, the Pump settings need to be adjusted in BIOS per manufacturer instructions. CPU Fan is at 4500 in CAM, Smart Fan 1 (which I think is the other connector from the AIO) is at 0, then the other two fans are my computer fans connected to the fan controller that came with my case. The Kraken is plugged directly into the mb.

 

[neojack]

since the pump is inside the radiator, the radiator should be installed at a lower level than the CPU

 

[sasssafrassas]

Took out the radiator and held it above my computer, put my ear against the pump so I could hear inside the loop. Heard some bubble noises (like air rising up through a pipe), but now when I hold the pump above the block, it makes a loud creaking, buzzing noise. Kinda like something rattling mixed with something rubbing against a fan.

 

[Phaaze88]

I moved it while it was running earlier but I'll try a few diff positions lol.

Try to position it below the cpu block and see if the radiator warms up or not.

Is it still under warranty? You may need to utilize it.

NZXT CAM only controls the LED, the Pump settings need to be adjusted in BIOS per manufacturer instructions. CPU Fan is at 4500 in CAM, Smart Fan 1 (which I think is the other connector from the AIO) is at 0, then the other two fans are my computer fans connected to the fan controller that came with my case. The Kraken is plugged directly into the mb.

That makes no sense to me - the numbers, I mean.

 

[sasssafrassas]

Update: Radiator not warming up, fun new rattle persists. Pretty sure that's air trapped in the pump?

since the pump is inside the radiator, the radiator should be installed at a lower level than the CPU

The pump is on the same level as the CPU block, which is unfortunately the lowest I can mount it.

 

[Phaaze88]

I was hoping that by 'shaking things up', you'd be able to fix it...

I got bad news: https://www.newegg.com/nzxt-liquid-...&cm_re=NZXT_kraken M22-_-35-146-064-_-Product
(the 3, 2, and 1 egg reviews)
This device is not good.
Most of the reviews mention the darn thing failing within a year, WTH.

I looked at some Amazon reviews too - the organization of the reviews is a mess though; why the hell are X and Z Krakens mixed in with this?
Anyways, out of the ones I could filter out, it's the same deal: the pump is hot garbage.

 

[sasssafrassas]

I was hoping that by 'shaking things up', you'd be able to fix it...

I got bad news: https://www.newegg.com/nzxt-liquid-cooling-system/p/N82E16835146064?Description=NZXT kraken M22&cm_re=NZXT_kraken M22--35-146-064--Product
(the 3, 2, and 1 egg reviews)
This device is not good.
Most of the reviews mention the darn thing failing within a year, WTH.

I looked at some Amazon reviews too - the organization of the reviews is a mess though; why the hell are X and Z Krakens mixed in with this?
Anyways, out of the ones I could filter out, it's the same deal: the pump is hot garbage.

Total bummer. Failing after a year lines up exactly with what happened to me. Will be taking full advantage of the warranty, maybe they're replace the garbage pump with another unit of the same garbage pump.

Thanks for the help in trouble shooting.

 

[Phaaze88]

No problem.

Is this in a SFF PC? It may be better to just get a top-down air cooler for it; a 2200G isn't hard to cool.

 

[sasssafrassas]

No problem.

Is this in a SFF PC? It may be better to just get a top-down air cooler for it; a 2200G isn't hard to cool.

No, just needed an overkill solution for my art PC, as I was planning on upgrading my CPU with something better for Blender after they released a new line of Ryzen. Zen 3 dropped but I might have to hold off on buying because of this, haha.

 

[Phaaze88]

Gotcha.