Noisy CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 pump

[andrewhawkins986]

Hi,

Received my new system just over a month ago, and have been very happy with it.

However, yesterday the CPU cooler pump started making what sounds to me to be a rattling noise. All my research has suggested that this may be due to air bubbles within the system.

All the advice I've found suggests that the pump should be lower than at least a portion of the radiator, and that the liquid pipes should enter the radiator at the bottom. However, in my system this doesn't seem to be the case.

There's a video of the noise available here:

The noise is coming from the block with 'CoolerMaster' on it. If I remove the power to the pump, it stops. I've also stopped all of the fans in the case to make sure it's not coming from one of them. I'm as sure as I can be that the pump is the source of the noise.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Thanks

Andy

 

[andrewhawkins986]

This is the full spec. Case is a Fractal Focus G.

Case
Send In Your Own Case
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.7GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP
1st Storage Drive
8TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 4400MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster MasterLiquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 12 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Logo Branding
PCSpecialist Logo

Andy

 

[VirtualDevil]

This is the exact issue I had and is indeed air bubbles trapped in the system.

Your research is correct, the pump should be the lowest part of the loop and therefore ideally the rad needs to be roof mounted or at least higher in the case, which looks impossible looking at your picture. If you can roof mount the rad, you'll be in a much better position and then possibly move that exhaust fan.

I was advised by PCS to take the pump block off the CPU and let it hang as low as possible in a bid to try get the bubble out. To no avail, I was sent a new CoolerMaster to fit which is running a lot better now.

My advise would be to try the same, take the CPU Pump off and see if you can get the bubble out by letting it hang low, alternatively you're best raising this with Tech Support inbox on the main website to either get a new pump sent out to you or if you're absolutely uncomfortable fitting yourself, send an RMA.

Others may be along soon with better advice, just speaking from experience here.

 

[andrewhawkins986]

Hi,

What's involved in removing the pump and refitting it? I seem to remember the last time I built a PC myself (admittedly several years ago now) the mounting of the cooler onto the CPU was a real pain.

Similar question regarding if they send a new pump out, what's involved in refitting it? I assume it'd be a complete assembly including the RAD etc.?

Also, is it 'safe' to run the system in this state? I'd hate to do damage to my shiny new PC as a result...CPU temps do seem 'sensible, highest I've seen is about 75 according to HWINFO64.

Thanks

Andy

 

[VirtualDevil]

Hi,

What's involved in removing the pump and refitting it? I seem to remember the last time I built a PC myself (admittedly several years ago now) the mounting of the cooler onto the CPU was a real pain.

Similar question regarding if they send a new pump out, what's involved in refitting it? I assume it'd be a complete assembly including the RAD etc.?

Also, is it 'safe' to run the system in this state? I'd hate to do damage to my shiny new PC as a result...CPU temps do seem 'sensible, highest I've seen is about 75 according to HWINFO64.

Thanks

Andy

Yea absolutely don't run it with the CPU Block off, merely just take it off with the system fully powered down and allow it to hang around (move it abit about) see if it wiggles the air block out. You won't know until you fit it back on and power her back up.

Yours seems similar to mine whereby you simple unscrew the finger tight screws above and below the CPU Pump and lift her off trying not to mess with the thermal paste while you're at it.

Refitting a new one would indeed be the whole kit, so fans on the rad and place the required CPU mount on the pump for AMD it's a relatively easy process, I'm very much a complete rookie with PC building so take that as you will lol.

 

[andrewhawkins986]

Hi @VirtualDevil

By 'in this state' I meant with the air bubble in place, rather than with the CPU cooler block off. I obviously wouldn't do that!

I had a quick look at the manual for the cooler and it did seem relatively involved. It's the thermal paste and stuff that I'd be most concerned about.

I did read that running the PC at an angle such that the RAD is significantly higher than the block might help. I might give that a go, sticking a couple of books under the front of the case or something.

It's weird that it started up out of nowhere, after the PC had been running for several hours that day. Oh well!

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it.

On a related note, if it were to go back for RMA, what sort of time are we looking at for me to be without the machine? I'm using it for work so could really do without losing it.

Andy

 

[VirtualDevil]

Hi Andrew,

How is your CPU temp while it's making that noise? Mine started similar to yours, I was gaming and when I took my headphones off to shut down I could hear it so not sure how long it was running. But I guess my point is, my temps were fine so running it for testing purposes wouldn't be an issue. Although I have little experience to attest to just how long you can run it with the bubble in, again dependant on temps.

Surprisingly the paste was my biggest worry, yet turned out to by very easy. I must confess I watched ample videos on how to apply the paste and fit the AIO as a whole before having a go myself.

I hadn't tried running on it's side, but did read it can help the issue so could be worth a shot.

I haven't RMA'd myself yet so couldn't advise, but given PCS work load I'd expect be at a loss for a number of weeks if I'm being completely honest with you. Well worth avoiding if you can.

Do you have room to roof mount the radiator at all? that would be the best solution if you can. Mine unfortunately has RAM in the way so won't sit nicely on the roof, but I've got the radiator just higher than the pump on the front.

 

[andrewhawkins986]

Been keeping an eye on CPU temps, and they seem Ok to me. Continuing to monitor.

Looks like the case might have room to roof mount the RAD, but all the stuff I've read suggests mounting it vertically rather than horizontally, so not sure that's the way to go?

Andy

 

[Schmoo2k]

Been keeping an eye on CPU temps, and they seem Ok to me. Continuing to monitor.

Looks like the case might have room to roof mount the RAD, but all the stuff I've read suggests mounting it vertically rather than horizontally, so not sure that's the way to go?

Andy

Seems you now have a good handle on the issue (and the solution): If you want a detailed explanation, I suggest watching this video:

TLDR - Propping up with a few books should be fine for a quick fix, long term you need to get that rad in/out pipes higher (or level) with the pump in/out pipes.

 

[Steveyg]

I have the same cooler and it is noticeably loud, I would say mine is installed in the proper manner of the pump itself being lower than the highest radiator point though

It does make of the very odd bubbly sound but nothing I would concerned about, my CPU temps usually sit around 20-30C and then maybe reach as high as 45C under load. I will say that by very odd bubbly sound I mean like once every couple days or so for maybe a couple seconds. I would be a little concerned about the installation in the pic above.

I do have an i5 10600K though which generates significantly less heat than the 5800x which is a heat creating monster

In the Fractal Focus G you should be able to mount the 240mm radiator on the roof? You can do this without actually removing the pump from the CPU block. As for getting the bubbles out this obviously isn't ideal but you can rotate and shake the case it self to try and move the air bubbles in to the desired part of the radiator you want. I'd recommending removing the GPU and RAM sticks before shaking and moving the case around too much though

 

[andrewhawkins986]

I wouldn't describe this sound as a 'bubbly' noise. It sounds much more like a noisy fan to me (although I'm as sure as I can be that it's not coming from any of the fans). If I disconnect the power going to the CPU cooler block, the noise stops.

I posted a video above that tries to capture the noise. Would appreciate it if someone could give it a listen to see if it sounds like air in the system, or perhaps something else?

I've just put the PC on its side, so that now the CPU cooler block is lower than the highest point of the RAD. Will leave it like this for a while to see if it has any effect. Hasn't so far, but it's only been like that for half an hour or so.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Steveyg]

I wouldn't describe this sound as a 'bubbly' noise. It sounds much more like a noisy fan to me (although I'm as sure as I can be that it's not coming from any of the fans). If I disconnect the power going to the CPU cooler block, the noise stops.

I posted a video above that tries to capture the noise. Would appreciate it if someone could give it a listen to see if it sounds like air in the system, or perhaps something else?

I've just put the PC on its side, so that now the CPU cooler block is lower than the highest point of the RAD. Will leave it like this for a while to see if it has any effect. Hasn't so far, but it's only been like that for half an hour or so.

Thanks

Andy

You would need to give it a good shake about to get the air bubbles to move mate, simply turning it on it's side wouldn't be enough that's why I suggested giving it a jiggle above

The air wont shift itself on it's own unfortunately

 

[VirtualDevil]

For me, it's definitely air in the system from your video.

I think what Steveyg was referring to is a small watery noise he hears every so often with the same cooler that doesn't cause for concern. As do I, with the same cooler.

 

[andrewhawkins986]

For me, it's definitely air in the system from your video.

I think what Steveyg was referring to is a small watery noise he hears every so often with the same cooler that doesn't cause for concern. As do I, with the same cooler.

Ok. It just doesn't sound like that kind of noise to me, but I'm far from an expert!

Will see if having the PC lying on its side has any beneficial effect.

Andy

 

[VirtualDevil]

I only say definitely because I had the exact same noise with the exact same cooler and identified it as trapped bubbles that I couldn't get rid of, so ended up replacing the Cooler.

Hopefully it'll help, but I still think you'll at the very least need to try getting the CPU Block off and hanging low/wiggle in a bid to shift the bubble.

 

[andrewhawkins986]

With the PC on its side, the block is now signicantly lower than the highest point of the RAD (now the side of the RAD). It's lying on the side such that the motherboard is effectively lying on the floor, with the RAD now sitting a good few inches higher than the block.

Andy

 

[Steveyg]

With the PC on its side, the block is now signicantly lower than the highest point of the RAD (now the side of the RAD). It's lying on the side such that the motherboard is effectively lying on the floor, with the RAD now sitting a good few inches higher than the block.

Andy

Yeah Andy you're missing what we are saying, this isn't enough to move the air bubbles. They have to be moved basically by force, just putting the case on it's side will not be enough to shift them unfortunately they have to phyiscally moved either by moving he entire case around (my stupid and lazy recommendation but it worked for me in the past) or by removing the block from the CPU and giving it a good shake out that way (optimal and best route)

 

[andrewhawkins986]

Ah ok, I see. I assumed that the bubbles would just naturally migrate to the highest point again.

Will have a look.

Andy

 

[andrewhawkins986]

Had a look at the case, and I'm not sure there's room to mount the RAD and its fans at the top of the case. The motherboard seems to be very close to the top of the case which might prevent this.

Have to say, the more I think about this the less pleased I am that PC Specialist have installed the RAD in a position that it's known is likely to cause problems.

I appreciate I sent in my own case, but it would have been nice if they'd said 'if we fit the RAD in this case you might have issues, would you like to consider another cooler?'.

Am I being unreasonable?

I'm now faced with either having to do fairly major rectification work myself, or possibly being without the PC for a protracted period while PC Specialist sort it.

Can't same I'm overly happy with either option to be honest.

Andy

 

[SpyderTracks]

Had a look at the case, and I'm not sure there's room to mount the RAD and its fans at the top of the case. The motherboard seems to be very close to the top of the case which might prevent this.

Have to say, the more I think about this the less pleased I am that PC Specialist have installed the RAD in a position that it's known is likely to cause problems.

I appreciate I sent in my own case, but it would have been nice if they'd said 'if we fit the RAD in this case you might have issues, would you like to consider another cooler?'.

Am I being unreasonable?

I'm now faced with either having to do fairly major rectification work myself, or possibly being without the PC for a protracted period while PC Specialist sort it.

Can't same I'm overly happy with either option to be honest.

Andy

It does state in the terms and conditions when you’re filling in the send in your own case that you’ve made sure everything will fit.