re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts

If the pump is constantly working, the radiator is clean of dust, and the fans are spinning... everything on the cooler side is fine. Exhaust vs Intake on the radiator shouldn't make enough of a difference to be your problem.

Possible problems, or combination of problems are then likely to be:

1. The heat sink isn't properly seated, or the thermal past has been applied improperly (too much, too little).
2. The pump is cutting out intermittently.
3. Faulty sensor diode on the motherboard.

The solution to number 1 is obvious, and since you seem to be having problems, maybe you can take the time to re-paste and re-seat the heatsink to see if it helps. Demount and clean the paste off of the CPU and the heatsink with a high percent iso alcohol. Make sure you get it all off. Purchase (or if you already have some) a higher quality paste and apply is as per the instructions. Whatever you do, don't apply it with your fingers. The grease from your fingers will pretty much screw the whole thing up. Remount everything and insure everything is solid, and all screws are properly tightened.

The solution to number 2 would be to replace the unit. It might be more difficult to figure out if that's actually the problem, as your computer shuts down to protect itself when it overheats, and when you restart, the pump may restart fine on its own as well. The corsair closed loop systems, while highly convenient are prone to fail just like any other part of your computer. You could always plug it into a PSU outside of your case and leave it running and monitor it constantly... if you're a man of extreme patience.

The solution to number 3 would be RMA, or a new board. Usually if a diode goes bad, it stays bad. That leads me to believe that the sensor diodes are fine, but you never know.

Good luck man.