X61 rattling woes

[Raskolnikov]

Hi,

Recently (maybe a few days ago), my NZXT x61 Kraken started making some kind of rather distracting rattling noise. According to preliminary online searches, it seems to be a relatively common occurrence, either for this model or others. I tried my best to get some decent audio and video proof, which I have attached to this message; audio has been augmented by 300 percent in Virtual Dub, though.

Playing around with AI Suite II, the BIOS, or CAM, did not fix the problem. I did update my BIOS since then, don't know if it could be related. There's way more options than in the past. (ASUS Rampage IV)

25% Fan Speed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp6XJGBO4nM&feature=youtu.be
100% Fan Speed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqoYQUziy7o&feature=youtu.be

 

[aigomorla]

air bubbles inside the cpu block during high mode....

what you hear is the rattling from the bearings.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

air bubbles inside the cpu block during high mode....

what you hear is the rattling from the bearings.

Bearings in pump or fan?

 

[aigomorla]

Bearings in pump or fan?

the pump.

Well better said a unbalanced magnet impeller and not bearings..

That guy has a air pocket stuck between the manget and the actual motor.

That is why the OP hears it on high, as the air pocket is probably introduced and not allowed to escape.



A possible fix to it is to stand the radiator up and have the barb portion on the bottom and not the top, so that the air is actually stuck on the top portion of the radiator and doesn't get reintroduced.

 

[Raskolnikov]

If this were air bubbles, wouldn't this have happened a long time ago?

I've had the computer since late November 2014 or so.

 

[aigomorla]

If this were air bubbles, wouldn't this have happened a long time ago?

I've had the computer since late November 2014 or so.

not necessarily true...

it could of taken that long for the bubbles to settle in the block / pump assembly.

Another possibly is a unbalanced impeller due to damage.

At any rate keep an eye on it.

Either of the two situations can lead to pump failure in the future.

 

[ClockHound]

Either of the two situations can lead to pump failure in the future.

So...it's a possible death rattle then?

Not unlike the spindle drive's click-of-death, but with a more drawn out ending.

Who knew these 'logic' machines were such drama queens? 😉

 

[jdogg707]

I've experienced this with my X61 and have RMA'd it twice, only to have the same issue on each unit. The problem occurs no matter which mode is selected in CAM.

NZXT support told me it was a known issue and swapped my last X61 for an X60 until the issue was fixed with their supplier.