Hey folks, I need some clarity on my cooling system because I'm a bit anxious about it. So, I've got an NZXT H9 Flow case with a Corsair H150i RGB AIO cooler mounted at the top, and I've noticed something strange. My CPU usually runs around 65-70°C while gaming, and my GPU hovers around 40-45°C, which I believe is fine. However, the radiator feels incredibly hot to the touch—almost too hot to handle—while the coolant temperature from iCUE shows a comfortable 35°C. A year ago, everything felt much cooler. I even reset the BIOS to default settings without any improvement. Interestingly, I did get a pump warning (a red blinking light) on the first day of use, but since then, it seems to be functioning normally. I've also ensured that the fans are set up correctly: front intake, top and rear exhaust. I removed iCUE only to reinstall it later, and the fans are on a balanced profile. My questions are: Is this temperature for the radiator normal? Could it indicate issues from other components like VRMs, RAM, or the motherboard? Or should I assume my AIO cooler is functioning as intended? Appreciate any insights!
2 Answers
That's basically what radiators do! They're meant to dissipate heat, so a hot radiator isn't unusual, especially considering your good coolant temp. Just avoid touching it too much to prevent burns. 😊
Yeah, even at 35°C, an aluminum radiator can feel quite warm. It seems like your CPU is under a lot of load while gaming, which is probably making the radiator hot. Maybe just check your core usage and power consumption while you're playing to be sure everything's in line.
Got it! So, what action should I take if things seem off?
I experience something similar, but just to add, I also get the occasional BSOD that restarts my PC. Not sure if it's linked to heat, but I figured I’d mention it in case it's relevant.