Solved: AlphaCool Eiswolf 2 for 3080/3090 RTX no longer cooling properly

[KrazeyKAmi]

Hello all!

3 years ago, I bought the AIO setup for the 3080 / 3090 (Asus Strix ROG).
I was very happy with the results, as under full load, my GPU was extremely cool (see below pic for temps during Unigine Superposition benchmark):


Nothing has changed in regards of the setup or the games I play. No other monitor, the entire rig and setup is the same, except I've been running the GPU at stock speeds since a few years.

Unfortunately, as of late, I find myself having GPU temperatures around 85 degrees and hotspot GPU temperatures of 105 degrees:
During idle, the temps are rather cool, albeit a tad less cool than during its prime. Also, mind you I'm running stock now, so it should be a lot cooler than the previous picture, taken when I ran at a higher wattage. However, these are the current results (see Maximum column):


This clearly indicates a problem.

I've already re-applied the termal paste (Noctua NT-H2), hoping this was the issue. Unfortunately, it was not.
The padding is fine (I repadded it a while ago, see my previous post with amazing results), I double checked it.

The pump is running fine (from what I can see), doing ~2000 RPM. Also I made sure there was no air and the reservoir was still properly filled to the max.
Then I held a flashlight to the block to see if there was any flow.
From what I can see, there is a flow (visible because sometimes there are small particles in the stream), except for the middle part that should cool the CPU (I can tell because there are very tiny micro air bubbles just sitting there, barely moving). So I'm worried there might be a blockage, exactly on the most important part.
Also there seems to be some sort of cloudy parts on the inner channels, and some grime.

What should I do? Should I flush the entire system and mix distilled water with Alphacool Core Loop Cleaning?
Should I take the entire block apart and manually clean it? Can it be a part of the pump functions and yet another part that's supposed to drive the CPU part is malfunctioning? Or might there be another solution to this issue? Maybe there is a sparepart for this block?

Kindly let me know. I'm very fond of the AIO, but at this point it's performing worse than it did with the air cooling that came with it.

Looking forward to some insights, many thanks in advance!

Kami.

 

[Eddy]

Flushing the AIO definitely doesn’t hurt. It is a bit strange that the pump is only running at 2000 RPM—it should typically run between 2400 and 3000 RPM. I’m not exactly sure which pump version is installed in your model, but it’s likely still the one rated for 2400–2800 RPM; the latest models have the newer pump version that runs about 200–400 RPM higher.

I’d also recommend going over all the screws again and tightening them by about a quarter to a half turn. Those would be the first steps to take.

 

[KrazeyKAmi]

Hi Eddy,

The product was 'Alphacool Eiswolf 2 AIO - 360mm RTX
3080/3090 ROG Strix with Backplate', bought in January, 2022. Maybe I can find a s/n for the pump somewhere?
If the pump runs lower, could that indicate a damaged pump, or be responsible for the bad cooling?

 

[Eddy]

If the pump is running slowly, there are three possible reasons:

1. The pump is being controlled in some way. This needs to be checked in the BIOS.
2. There is a blockage somewhere in the loop. This would cause too much back pressure, preventing the pump from reaching its intended speed.
3. The pump is defective. However, I consider this extremely unlikely, since a defective pump would typically either not run at all or make noticeably loud noises that even a beginner or someone inexperienced would immediately recognize.

For this reason, I would initially rule out a defective pump. In any case, the pump can be replaced if necessary. We offer it separately in two versions: as the DC-LT (13289) and the newer, somewhat quieter DC-LT 2 (13332). But I wouldn’t recommend taking that step just yet.

I suspect there is some kind of blockage. However, that alone wouldn’t fully explain the high temperatures. Whether the pump runs at 2000 or 2600 rpm doesn’t make such a big difference. So I’d suggest also going through the previous troubleshooting steps again.

I would simply clean the cooler and see what happens. Just flush it out. You can also use a cleaning solution based on citric acid, like the ones used for coffee machines.

 

[KrazeyKAmi]

If the pump is running slowly, there are three possible reasons:

1. The pump is being controlled in some way. This needs to be checked in the BIOS.
2. There is a blockage somewhere in the loop. This would cause too much back pressure, preventing the pump from reaching its intended speed.
3. The pump is defective. However, I consider this extremely unlikely, since a defective pump would typically either not run at all or make noticeably loud noises that even a beginner or someone inexperienced would immediately recognize.

For this reason, I would initially rule out a defective pump. In any case, the pump can be replaced if necessary. We offer it separately in two versions: as the DC-LT (13289) and the newer, somewhat quieter DC-LT 2 (13332). But I wouldn’t recommend taking that step just yet.

I suspect there is some kind of blockage. However, that alone wouldn’t fully explain the high temperatures. Whether the pump runs at 2000 or 2600 rpm doesn’t make such a big difference. So I’d suggest also going through the previous troubleshooting steps again.

I would simply clean the cooler and see what happens. Just flush it out. You can also use a cleaning solution based on citric acid, like the ones used for coffee machines.

Hi Eddy, Thanks for the reply.
I think I might've misread the RPM on the pump. I connected it ot the W_PUMP+ and my Argus and HWInfo monitor report it as ~2000 RPM. However, if I disconnect the cable, it still reports the same RPM. Is there a specific sensor that I can read to get the real pump RPM?

 

[Eddy]

That’s quite a strange issue. Are you sure you’re reading from the correct port? The pump sends out an RPM signal just like a fan does, so you can actually connect it to any fan header.

 

[KrazeyKAmi]

That’s quite a strange issue. Are you sure you’re reading from the correct port? The pump sends out an RPM signal just like a fan does, so you can actually connect it to any fan header.

Hi Eddy, yea, I'm not sure why it does this. It's definitly the correct header. And disconnected it still gives an RPM. Really weird.
At any rate, I think I found the cooling issue.

Pretty sure this doesn't allow for proper flow or cooling

I've cleaned it, and ordered the Alphacool Loop Cleaning solution. I drained the loop and the reservoir. My 4 questions on the next steps:

1. How much fluid is contained inside the reservoir (360) and the loop altogether?

2. The mixture proportion is 100 ml cleaner on 1 liter distilled water, yes?

3. I have to run it for 30 minutes, then drain it again, refill with clean distilled water to rinse it; how long should it run to rinse the second round, before draining again?

4. After that drain it again one final time, and refill with the cooleant. What kind of water should I use as cooleant? Simply Alphacool Pure water, or distilled water?
I noticed that the current liquid is a bit greasy-like, so I assume it doesn't come prefilled with simply distilled water. Is there another (better) mixture to refill the AIO with?

Many thanks again for your support Eddy!

Kind regards,
Kami.

 

[Eddy]

OH, that’s definitely the problem — hard to miss.

I honestly don’t know exactly how much fluid is in the AIO. I’d estimate around 250–350 ml, but I can’t give you a more precise figure right now.
In this case, I’d just ignore the recommended mixing ratio, pour the entire bottle of cleaner into the AIO, and then top it off with distilled water. I’d simply let the AIO run like that. Hopefully that will be enough given how dirty it is — there’s clearly quite a bit of buildup.

In the worst case, if the flushing doesn’t help, you’ll have to take the cooler apart and go at it with a toothbrush. I don’t know if it will come loose, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

As for the coolant: it’s a premixed solution. That’s what I would use again. Just distilled water or Pure Water on its own isn’t ideal for an AIO — without additives, things can start to grow in the loop that you really don’t want. The additives also make the fluid a bit oily, which acts as a lubricant.

 

[KrazeyKAmi]

Many thanks Eddy for the swift reply; will definitly try that. One final question; the premixed solution, any specific product? Does Alphacool sell this as well, or do you have a link? Or is it the same premixture that goes into custom loops? Thanks once more! I'll report back when it's all done with the results!
Edit: Think I found the answer Either apex liquid eco or tec protect 2. Thanks nonetheless!

 

[Eddy]

Basically, we of course recommend our own coolants like Tec Protect 2 or Apex Liquid, but in general, any clear premixed coolant is perfectly fine — just as you already figured out.

 

[KrazeyKAmi]

Hi Eddy, promised to write back, so here goes:

1. Mystery solved on the W_PUMP rpm; It indeed wasn't the header I connected the pump too
The connector on the motherboard that I connect it to, is called W_FLOW. Now, if I add this sensor to HWInfo, it reports a flow rate of ~72 L/M. Is that about correct for the pump? (HWinfo says L/M, but I suspect it should be L/H as indicated on the specs of the pump, right?).

2. I've opened the cooler in order to clean it proper. It's squeeky clean now Then I ran the cleaner liquid with distilled water mixture for around 30 minutes, after that rinsed it with Alphacool pure water, and then re-filled it with the Tec Protect 2 liquid again.

The temps are amazing once more! Not breaking above 55c hotspot during full load It's even better than ever! Even my VRM is max. 42c!



Thanks again!
One happy customer.

 

[Eddy]

72 liters per minute can’t be correct, that would be 4320 liters per hour, which is highly unlikely. 72 liters per hour sounds much more realistic. I think the software is simply displaying the wrong value.
Otherwise, I’m glad to hear you’re happy now and everything worked out!