Corsair H100

TheDarkWraith · 06-22-12, 06:05 PM

Can't really move the radiator anywhere else in the case. Where it's at is where it has to be.

I removed the 1N4007 diode and the pump has been making the noise more often now (after only one day of use!) so I decided to try a little test to prove my cavitation theory.

Fired up Intel BurnTest and put in on maximum and ran the test 5 times. The radiator is setup in a push-pull configuration using Artic Cooling fans. The test didn't even complete the first test when I saw the CPU temp hit 85C then computer shutdown (CPU overtemp). Now that's very strange in a water-cooled setup with a push-pull configuration. The pump was making the noise the whole time during the test. Knowing that cavitation greatly decreases efficiency my theory that the pump is cavitating is holding true.

Reinstalled the 1N4007 diode and the pump quit making the noise, totally quiet. Ran the Intel BurnTest again for 5 iterations at Maximum. The test completed all 5 iterations and max CPU temp was 68C.

For those of you using any of Corsair's water-cooled CPU coolers if you're pump is making noise it's because it's cavitating (impeller spinning way too fast for the head available). Installing a 1N4007 diode in the +12VDC line to the pump will drop the voltage to the pump just enough to slow it down and prevent cavitation.

For those of you who don't know cavitation will eventually erode the impeller blades to the point they are totally inefficient. Do your pump a favor and install a diode in it's +12VDC line or install a fan controller and hook the pump's molex connector to it to control the pump's speed.

Corsair's engineers should be ashamed of themselves. Well probably like every other company they don't care as long as they get your money

06-22-12, 06:05 PM	#3
TheDarkWraith Black Magic Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11,962 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 5	Can't really move the radiator anywhere else in the case. Where it's at is where it has to be. I removed the 1N4007 diode and the pump has been making the noise more often now (after only one day of use!) so I decided to try a little test to prove my cavitation theory. Fired up Intel BurnTest and put in on maximum and ran the test 5 times. The radiator is setup in a push-pull configuration using Artic Cooling fans. The test didn't even complete the first test when I saw the CPU temp hit 85C then computer shutdown (CPU overtemp). Now that's very strange in a water-cooled setup with a push-pull configuration. The pump was making the noise the whole time during the test. Knowing that cavitation greatly decreases efficiency my theory that the pump is cavitating is holding true. Reinstalled the 1N4007 diode and the pump quit making the noise, totally quiet. Ran the Intel BurnTest again for 5 iterations at Maximum. The test completed all 5 iterations and max CPU temp was 68C. For those of you using any of Corsair's water-cooled CPU coolers if you're pump is making noise it's because it's cavitating (impeller spinning way too fast for the head available). Installing a 1N4007 diode in the +12VDC line to the pump will drop the voltage to the pump just enough to slow it down and prevent cavitation. For those of you who don't know cavitation will eventually erode the impeller blades to the point they are totally inefficient. Do your pump a favor and install a diode in it's +12VDC line or install a fan controller and hook the pump's molex connector to it to control the pump's speed. Corsair's engineers should be ashamed of themselves. Well probably like every other company they don't care as long as they get your money