Hey everyone! I built my PC around two years ago, and it was running great until recently when my CPU started overheating out of nowhere. I tried reapplying thermal paste, which helped a bit since my idle temperature is now around 40°C. However, as soon as I try to do anything demanding, like gaming or even downloading, the temperature spikes to 90°C to 100°C.
I've pretty much eliminated all possible causes except for the CPU and the AIO cooler. While the AIO is still blowing air, it's just not hot at all, which doesn't seem to match up with the CPU's temperature.
So I'm wondering if this might mean the AIO is dead. Should I consider buying a new one? Thanks for any advice!
4 Answers
Yeah, it sounds like the AIO might be dead. If you're not getting hot air from it, that's definitely a red flag. You could also think about switching to a more traditional air cooler if you don't have a strong need for an AIO in terms of performance or looks.
What software are you using to monitor the AIO? Make sure you’re checking the pump metrics because if the pump isn’t running, the liquid won’t circulate, and it’ll just stay hot at the CPU contact point. If the pump's speeds are dead, it’s probably time for a new one.
Make sure to check your BIOS to see if the pump is running. You can also try holding the tubes to feel for fluid movement. That should help you determine if it needs a replacement or if a cable is loose.
It's likely that the AIO is not functioning properly. Check if there are other pump headers on your motherboard you could use for testing. You should also check the BIOS to see if the pump's RPM is being reported.

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