Corsair H80 Pump Noise

[Smartazz]

Hey all, I recently got a Corsair H80 for my 2500K system. The cooling performance is pretty impressive, but the pump is making a noise similar to a hard drive thrashing. It's not terribly annoying, but I think something is up. I did some research on google and others have had the same problem. I think I can live with the noise, but should I RMA it just in case the pump is going to die? Also, if I RMA it, can I just send in the pump/hoses/radiator piece or do I have to send everything in if I'm getting an exchange? I'd rather not take my motherboard out to take the mounting brackets out if possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[ctk1981]

In the corsair forums they have mentioned laying the system on its side to see if there is air trapped in the pump...if there is, with the case on its side the noise will go away. But I dont think the sound would match the sound you are describing. Heh, they even recommend gently tapping the pump. I would try that first, because more than likely they will suggest that anyways....then get the RMA rolling on it. No idea if they will replace just the unit or make you send in the entire thing though.

 

[Smartazz]

Laying the computer on its side fixes the problem, but as soon as I put the case on its feet it starts making the noise again. I positioned the radiator above the pump in an attempt to get the bubbles into the radiator and out of the pump. I also tapped the pump, but my computer froze, but I'm not sure if that caused it as I was also running Intel Burn Test at the time.

 

[ctk1981]

They said to run it on its side for like an hour to see if it could pump the air out. But the thread I was reading it seemed like the problem always came back so Im not sure how often this "fix" fixes things. I'd get the ball rolling on an RMA and see you can replace just the unit itself and not all the other components.

 

[Smartazz]

Can I RMA through Newegg? I'd much rather the deal with them than Corsair. I bought it about a week ago.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Can I RMA through Newegg? I'd much rather the deal with them than Corsair. I bought it about a week ago.

Yes, just go into your orders page and there should be an RMA link.

This problem won't fix itself because it is a sealed system therefore the air cannot escape. An exchange will fix it.

 

[Elcs]

You can do an Advance RMA via Corsair if you so choose.

I returned my H100 (pump noise, not solved by tapping, wiggling, rocking or changing orientation) to my supplier and I was refunded as they had none in stock. Sitting with my 'stock' hsf, a Corsair A70 with only one fan, debating whether to try another H100 or buy new RAM so that i can get a Silver Arrow/HR-02 Macho/Noctua.

 

[Smartazz]

Thanks for the responses. I think that it's getting less annoying, though I'm not sure if I'm getting used to it. Other than the pump noise, I'm impressed with the cooling performance. I barely see it break 50C while running BOINC 24/7.

 

[kami]

First of all, yes this is most likely caused by an air bubble and does not affect performance as you are seeing by your temps, but the sound can get annoying.

I assume you have tried turning off the system, does that help or at least delay the noise coming back? I run my system 24/7 and when I first got my H80 I first had this noise about 2 days later. Shutting off the system, waiting 10 sec and turning it back on got rid of the noise but it would come again in 24-48 hours eventually. This happened 3 or 4 times and after that it hasn't come back in a couple months so whatever air bubble was causing it has settled or gotten out or whatever.

Try rotating the hoses on the water block up and down a few times, tap them, etc. try and get that air loose. If turning off the system doesn't fix it try turning it off then turning it back on with the case sitting horizontal and see if that does it. If not you will probably have to RMA.

 

[Belegost]

Elcs, what tall ram do you have? I have the HR-02 Macho and the fan mount adjusts enough to clear my ripjaws no problem, and probably could go another half cm taller. The heatsink itself doesn't extend beyond the normal socket clearance on the RAM side.

Not to derail the thread here.

 

[ChrisRey3156]

Yeah as others have said if its really bothering you I would just rma it if possible. Otherwise just leave the computer laying on its side as long as you can bear it a couple days if need be. With custom water cooling loops the same thing can happen, except its much easier to fix, the hydro series are just sealed so kinda hard to get rid of any trapped air.

 

[Smartazz]

Thing is, my video card is pretty loud so the pump noise isn't unbearable. I'm planning to get a quiet GTX 670 next year, so maybe I'll use that chance to RMA the cooler. It'll still be under warranty so I don't anticipate any problems doing that. If the problem is fixed by then, all the better. A potential problem with RMAing it now is that apparently Newegg and Amazon have a bad batch so I'd likely get it replaced with another noisy pump right?

 

[Smartazz]

First of all, yes this is most likely caused by an air bubble and does not affect performance as you are seeing by your temps, but the sound can get annoying.

I assume you have tried turning off the system, does that help or at least delay the noise coming back? I run my system 24/7 and when I first got my H80 I first had this noise about 2 days later. Shutting off the system, waiting 10 sec and turning it back on got rid of the noise but it would come again in 24-48 hours eventually. This happened 3 or 4 times and after that it hasn't come back in a couple months so whatever air bubble was causing it has settled or gotten out or whatever.

Try rotating the hoses on the water block up and down a few times, tap them, etc. try and get that air loose. If turning off the system doesn't fix it try turning it off then turning it back on with the case sitting horizontal and see if that does it. If not you will probably have to RMA.

I've found the opposite. The longer I leave the system on, the quieter is starts to get. Next I'll try laying the case on its side for a prolonged period of time.

 

[Elcs]

The Corsair Forums do have quite a few different suggestions to try when sorting out Pump Noise. This thread is for the H100 but it ends up discussing different Corsair Hydro products.

Elcs, what tall ram do you have? I have the HR-02 Macho and the fan mount adjusts enough to clear my ripjaws no problem, and probably could go another half cm taller. The heatsink itself doesn't extend beyond the normal socket clearance on the RAM side.

Not to derail the thread here.

Corsair Vengeance (DDR3 1600mhz)

 

[Smartazz]

Thanks, reading it now. there's a lot of posts to go through. I still haven't decided to RMA or not because the sound isn't unbearable. Im surprised the Corsair fans are so loud, I went with the Antec fans I already had instead.

 

[Elcs]

Thanks, reading it now. there's a lot of posts to go through. I still haven't decided to RMA or not because the sound isn't unbearable. Im surprised the Corsair fans are so loud, I went with the Antec fans I already had instead.

The Corsair fans are pretty darn quiet when they're tamed.

They have a high start up voltage but my pair dialled down to a pretty much near silent level, just a little bit noisier than my old Scythe Slipstream 1200's at low voltage.

Spin them up with 12v, take them down very slowly until they stop. Mark the voltage/dial position, spin them up and then turn the dial to a position just before the point of stopping. Very annoyed that my Z68 board cannot control the power of any fan via Speedfan and the bundled software doesn't allow me to set a fan speed below 60% on the only headers than can control 3-pin fans.

 

[kami]

I just keep the fans at the low setting and the noise is fine and I get great temps. They are noise makers at high though.

 

[WT]

I'm having a similar weird issue with my H80, but I don't think its pump noise. It occurs after the PC is on about an hour or so, and sounds like cavitation by the radiator. I've replaced both the stock fans with GT AP-15's (1850s), blowing out rather than pulling air in, and have my H80 set to the 'medium' fan setting.
Oddly enough, the rear fan did not even spin up when I turned the PC on. I had to give it a spin with a screwdriver and it then spun freely. Nothing was obstructing its rotation either. I'm going to try a reset on the Corsair fan controller tonight and see what happens.

 

[csemoses]

hey guys, i thought over on the corsair forums its been established that the issue with pump noise is the pump getting a little too much voltage, and hooking it up to a fan controller instead solves the problem, or has for everyone that's tried it. Worth looking into for sure. (no pump noise here) sorry, at work, no time to go digging up the thread about that. Think it's the h100 pump noise thread on corsair's cooling forum.

 

[Smartazz]

Thanks for the heads up csemoses! I've just dealt with the issue as my fans are louder than the pump, but it would be nice to fix. Anyone have good recommendations on a cheap fan controller? It only needs to control the pump since my case has built in fan controllers.

 

[Elcs]

Thanks for the heads up csemoses! I've just dealt with the issue as my fans are louder than the pump, but it would be nice to fix. Anyone have good recommendations on a cheap fan controller? It only needs to control the pump since my case has built in fan controllers.

I posted a link to the thread with that info in it

The Sunbeam 4-channel rheobus is cheap, cheerful and a rugged unit. It also has enough beef in it to control more fans than most people want or need, just in case things change for you along the line.

 

[Smartazz]

I posted a link to the thread with that info in it

The Sunbeam 4-channel rheobus is cheap, cheerful and a rugged unit. It also has enough beef in it to control more fans than most people want or need, just in case things change for you along the line.

Heh, I guess I didn't read enough of the thread.

 

[Blintok]

I too have an H80 and hear a high pitched whine.
I have an Antec 1100 case. Asus Z68. i2600k
I have 2 120mm fans on lower front of case blowing in across drive
bays. The case has a huge 200mm fan up top. oh i also have a 120mm fan
on the backside of case blowing in at the rear of the mb/cpu. It exhausts out the
rear of case.

pretty sure its the fan tho as i at first had the H80 on medium and
after a few days put it on low setting and its quieter.
The h80 is setup per Corsair with 2 fans push/pull into case.
Figured the top fan will pull out any hot air the h80 blows in.

I have the h80 hooked up to the molex connector and also plugged
in to the cpu fan header.

I say its the fans because it gets louder after starting up a game. Only really noticable
during quiet pauses. But when i exit the game later on the whine noise drops..like the fan
is winding down. The cpu temps seem to be about the same with fan speed on low so i guess its ok. i do not overclock.

am wondering if it may be cavitation btwn the top fan and h80 fans? if i take off the case side and put my ear level with cpu the whine seems to come from the top and the h80 fans seem quiet.