NZXT X52 (240mm AIO cooler) sometimes loud (rattling) and not cooling?

[Ulti]

Hey all,

I posted this previously on NZXT's Reddit around 6 months ago but never got a reply but it has been working fine as I haven't moved my machine much so didn't bother chasing. Figured quite a few of you guys are knowledgeable in watercooling so maybe someone can help here!

"I bought an NZXT X52 off eBay so there's no warranty probably.

It has generally worked fine but I've switched cases twice since owning it and I've found somehow when moving it about, it somehow "stops" working properly and this happened each time when I rebuilt my PC.

Not sure what details people need but I'm just cooling a Ryzen 5 3600 at stock with it and when fine, I usually am around 40-70C (idle to load) with fans set at around 700 RPM.

Symptoms:

• Rattling noise
• Radiator doesn't get warm
• Pump pwm does show >2000 etc
• Can kinda feel water flowing if I hold the tubing but hard to tell
• CPU ends up at 95C giving me overheating warnings

Solution:

• I basically end up just tilting my PC and shaking it from all sorts of angles. I found usually flipping it upside down so the tubes are at the bottom and then shaking for a few minutes seems to work best. I know installing it tube down is the best but it doesn't fit like that in my case.

Possible causes?

• Has too much of the coolant evaporated? If so, can this be easily checked and/or refilled?
• Is the pump somehow failing?

I did read NZXT's article about how it's trapped air but I wouldn't expect a bit trapped air to cause that much of an issue!

Thanks in advance!

[[GSV]Trig]

Not sure on that particular model, does it have a top-up cap?

Have you seen this?
https://support.nzxt.com/hc/en-us/ar...t-should-I-do-

Without knowing your case layout that's about all I have as I don't know where the rad or block is in your system.

[Kristian Hynes]

Sounds like a pump issue to me not what you want to hear but I would replace it ASAP.... Don't try and fix it because the chance of it leaking after is just to much of a risk I feel.... Just replace it

[TAKTAK]

• I basically end up just tilting my PC and shaking it from all sorts of angles. I found usually flipping it upside down so the tubes are at the bottom and then shaking for a few minutes seems to work best. I know installing it tube down is the best but it doesn't fit like that in my case.

Possible causes?

Got a piccy of how you have it set up in your rig?

If your pump is the highest point in the loop then it will be prone to accumulating air, or if it's drawing from an air pocket (sounds like this may be the case for you?).

I did read NZXT's article about how it's trapped air but I wouldn't expect a bit trapped air to cause that much of an issue!

Air in the CPU block can cause an effective air lock of the system.

Your solution of inverting and shaking to clear also suggests it's an air in the pump issue. Any way you can get 'creative' in mounting the rad another way?

Edit: Aaaaaah, you have an SSUPD Meshlicious - Can you cheat and stand the case another way?

[DDY]

First thought is the pump is struggling to prime or is air/vapour locked, either way it's not shifting water.

The cause could be too much air in the system which for a sealed system in turn means not enough water.

Trapped air in the pump can sound grindy, rattly or crackly, as though the pump is moving tiny bits of solid material.

I would like others have suggested investigate water levels, or whatever coolant it uses – check the manual, and top up as required.

[Ulti]

Thanks all for your replies.

Here's the setup:



Unfortunately it seems there is no fill port or anything so I'd have to disassemble the thing which isn't worth the effort & risk.

[DDY]

That’s dumb

I’d be tempted to chop the tube to the inlet side of the pump, fit an in-line T, and a length of tube to a fill port. About £10 worth of parts and the least risky option, other than replacing the whole unit of course, because it doesn’t mess with any of the existing seals or connections the only place new leaks can happen would be on the new T.