Overheated CPU

Why is my CPU is overheating?

Very high CPU temperatures are usually the symptoms of the malfunctioning liquid cooling loop or bad contact between CPU and water block. This can occur either due to:

1. Bad contact or no contact between CPU and water block: The easiest way to check for bad contact is to remove the water block and check the thermal paste imprint. If the thermal paste imprint is bad, we recommend reapplying the thermal paste.
   
   Bad thermal paste imprint:
   
   
   Good thermal paste imprint:
   
   
   
   See how to apply the thermal paste, here.
   
   
   
2. Clogged micro-channels in the water block: Micro channels can get clogged easily with various dirt particles and impurities, especially with plasticizer powder that has leached from the tubing. The symptoms usually include a rapid spike in temperature when stressing your CPU to the maximum, flow rates are very low. Visually inspect the water block internals for any buildup or contamination and clean the system if necessary. In case the water block with translucent acrylic top is employed this inspection can be done without disassembling the system.
   
   
   
   
3. Malfunctioning or non-working water pump: The symptoms usually include a rapid spike in temperature when stressing your CPU to the maximum (for example with Prime95 software). Make sure the pump is plugged into the power connector and that the liquid is indeed flowing in your system. You should feel the pump vibrating in your hand when operating and the water should be moving inside the reservoir. Observe the flow indicator or flow meter reading if present.
   
   
4. Kink in the liquid cooling tubing: Very similar symptoms to both above described. Thin-walled tubing may collapse easily under low radius turns or when obstructed by other computer chassis elements such as closing side panel doors. Check the tubing for any signs of kink which restrict the flow.
   
   

Upon exhausting all suggestions feel free to contact us here.