Question Sudden loss of performance, thinking its linked to CPU cooling

[osacomp]

Hello all, first post here, after reading through a few similar threads, and seeing how helpful the forum is, Im hoping some of you guys will be able to help me with an issue I am having.

Ive had a Lenovo gaming PC for a couple years now. It is this model:

https://imgur.com/a/CDJIOMS

View: https://imgur.com/a/CDJIOMS


Specs are as follows:

https://imgur.com/RYjdhMS

View: https://imgur.com/RYjdhMS
(except it is now on windows 11)

I have never had issues with speed or performance, it handled everything I threw at it perfectly even on ultra settings. However, a couple of weeks ago it started getting slow and glitchy. In windows, things would open or load slow, things would freeze up, chrome would open tabs slow or take 10-15 seconds to load a page, I suddenly couldn't play games anymore because they were crazy low fps.

I have tried to run some various diagnostic tests on different hardware parts, the SSD's are all coming back healthy, the memory test came back clean, nvidias automatic health check couldn't find anything wrong with the 3080, but when I moved over to check the CPU with CoreCPU app I am getting very high temps in the 90s. Results:

https://imgur.com/Tk3kPeu

View: https://imgur.com/Tk3kPeu


We did just move, so I was worried something may have gotten jostled around, but after I dove in, everything appears to be snug and connected.

The computer has a " Gaming T750 240 LC cooler, AVC Part No5H40X63323"
cooler, here is the info:

https://imgur.com/k8t5dCN

View: https://imgur.com/k8t5dCN


I believe it is water-cooled, but I honestly don't know the first thing about maintaining or troubleshooting the cooler. I was hoping based upon the given info someone could point me in the right direction. I cant find anywhere in the bios settings to get information about the pump health. Thanks for taking the time to read and help.

 

[Hellfire13]

If this started after the movement, its highly likely that the cooler might have got damaged during the activity. The kind of issues you accounted for is definitely consistent with thermal throttling. It would be good to check all the connectors to the cooler or completely reinstall it once again from scratch. If you lack the expertise, it is advisable to take it to a professional.

 

[BFG-9000]

If one hose isn't getting hotter than the other then the pump may be unplugged (or dead, which isn't uncommon). As the mounting is screw-on instead of pushpin it is very unlikely that one leg came undone:

 

[osacomp]

If this started after the movement, its highly likely that the cooler might have got damaged during the activity. The kind of issues you accounted for is definitely consistent with thermal throttling. It would be good to check all the connectors to the cooler or completely reinstall it once again from scratch. If you lack the expertise, it is advisable to take it to a professional.

I plan to take the cooler out, check all the connections, and then reinstall today before purchasing a similar cooler to replace it with if that doesnt work. Also thought I might should try new thermal paste to make sure that isnt the issue before spending the money on a replacement first. Thanks!

 

[osacomp]

If one hose isn't getting hotter than the other then the pump may be unplugged (or dead, which isn't uncommon). As the mounting is screw-on instead of pushpin it is very unlikely that one leg came undone:

Is this something I would be able to feel with just touching it, or would i need a infrared thermometer? Thanks for your answer!

 

[KyaraM]

Is this something I would be able to feel with just touching it, or would i need a infrared thermometer? Thanks for your answer!

Just by touching is fine. You can also touch the pump block while it's on to check if it is runnung, it should vibrate. Most of the time that is located in the block directly on top of the CPU.

 

[bniknafs9]

i-5's get hot too fast
i-7's are modest in this regard
i-9's barely get hot in a game such as call of duty
my i-9 is actually on a passive heatsink only the front case fans cool off the radiator .

 

[osacomp]

If one hose isn't getting hotter than the other then the pump may be unplugged (or dead, which isn't uncommon). As the mounting is screw-on instead of pushpin it is very unlikely that one leg came undone:

Just by touching is fine. You can also touch the pump block while it's on to check if it is runnung, it should vibrate. Most of the time that is located in the block directly on top of the CPU.

So one hose is significantly warmer than the other to the touch, the pump block isn't vibrating much but I do feel a slight motion while touching it.


A bit of an update. I first tried changing out the thermal paste. The old thermal paste was definitely looking rough. Pics:

If one hose isn't getting hotter than the other then the pump may be unplugged (or dead, which isn't uncommon). As the mounting is screw-on instead of pushpin it is very unlikely that one leg came undone:

So one hose is definitely warmer than the other to the touch, very noticeable. As far as pump vibration, there is not strong vibration or movement. The lighted part of the pump that sits above the CPU is definitely warm and I feel slight movement from it. About to make a separate reply with some updates. Thanks for your continued help.

 

[osacomp]

An update: I tried changing out the thermal paste first, the thermal paste that was on it to start was certainly ugly looking.

https://imgur.com/pAYPGbN

View: https://imgur.com/pAYPGbN
and

https://imgur.com/MIEulgM

View: https://imgur.com/MIEulgM


When I first booted up, temps seemed a bit better sitting in the low 60s:

https://imgur.com/3IO78cF

View: https://imgur.com/3IO78cF


But when I used a program to put them under 100% load, they shot into the low 90s really fast:

https://imgur.com/2z2MDFK

View: https://imgur.com/2z2MDFK


Now about half an hour later, the temps are still very high. There is nothing open besides discord and chrome and the temps are in the mid 90s

https://imgur.com/KhmdUgD

View: https://imgur.com/KhmdUgD


So Im not sure what to do next besides change out the cooler.

Im still not certain the cooler isn't working, following above comments, one hose is definitely warmer than the other, and the cooler pump seems to be making some vibrations. But the temps obviously show it isn't cooling. Just wish I knew why.

Would a normal fan cooler be sufficient for this setup or do I need another AIO, if they are so finicky that a slight bump can kill them, I don't know if I want another.

 

[Hellfire13]

What kind of case cooling configuration do you have? Also, what is the ambient like, has that changed since you moved?
A good quality air cooler can be as good or sometimes better than an average AIO. Noctua have some of the good stuff out there.

 

[osacomp]

What kind of case cooling configuration do you have? Also, what is the ambient like, has that changed since you moved?
A good quality air cooler can be as good or sometimes better than an average AIO. Noctua have some of the good stuff out there.

three front fans pulling cold air in, the AIO has two fans pulling cool air over the radiator, and a big fan in the back pushing out hot air. I also have the glass side off right now while testing everything.

Put new thermal paste on the CPU and tightened down the AIO cooler thought it helped for a while as idle temps were in the 50s and my computer was running better, but tried a game again and after about 10-15 minutes CPU temps went into the 90s.

Air temp in the room is 74F (23.3C) Which about the same as it was in the old place

 

[Hellfire13]

three front fans pulling cold air in, the AIO has two fans pulling cool air over the radiator, and a big fan in the back pushing out hot air. I also have the glass side off right now while testing everything.

Put new thermal paste on the CPU and tightened down the AIO cooler thought it helped for a while as idle temps were in the 50s and my computer was running better, but tried a game again and after about 10-15 minutes CPU temps went into the 90s.

Air temp in the room is 74F (23.3C) Which about the same as it was in the old place

That sounds like a lot of air coming in but not enough going out. Too much of positive or negative pressure can be counter intuitive. Try to balance it a little more. Remember, hot air goes up by default.