Corsair All in One Water cooler do not buy

tonylam.h · Jan 25, 2018

Do not ever buy a Corssair AIO water cooler unless you read this first.

I have been using the H60i for just shy off 2 years, when yesterday it had been slowly leaking out from the connectors where it gets power and comms to. Leaked down to my motherboard made it's way into my PCI express slot and onto my GTX 1060.

So when my pc shut down i didn't see much so I tried to power it on again and nothing happens thought maybe the video card somehow just died and rush out to try RMA my video card. Upon coming home I cloisely inspected and found water marks from the water cooler connectors weird place not from any of the inlets and outlets. Making it's way down to the motherboard and throughout my component so far a fact it has killed my GTX 1060.
You do not understand how devastated I was my main rig, gaming, streaming, working pc is dead. The stupid mining that has been going up has made all the graphics card limited and inflated. I contact corsair this is what they said to me

From Corsair-----------------
"Sincerest apologies for the inconvenience this has caused you. We can process a replacement for your cooler. We'd need a copy of the receipt or invoice to validate and approve the RMA. If it was purchased from a store's website, I'd suggest checking for a copy in your email or on their website. If it was purchased in a physical store the store may have a copy.
Please attach the following:
- A photo/screenshot/PDF of the receipt/invoice to the ticket so that we can validate the warranty.
----------------------------------------------------

After going through all that F@##ing issue they want to send me another AIO?????

ARE YOU $@#%ING crazy. No mentions of helping try reimburse you for all the damages they have caused. I did attach few pictures for them too. Which I will try attach to as many forums as I can so everyone is 100% aware of what they are risking with a supposedly safe AIO solution.
That's all I have to say and when I replied telling them just that I have not received a reply back yet. No one understands what I am feeling right now to be left with no pc to use just my laptop and not being able to do anything until i save up for another graphics card and move on from there hopefully motherboard isn't fried too and other components.

Please see attached pictures showing you the leaks not from the inlets but from the cooling center plate and it sliding down my motherboard. I believe the exact model was a H60I

Now not having a pc to use I will dedicate my time on ensuring every single person in the world is fully aware of what they are walking into.
Thought water cooler was now fully safe and leak proof oh boy did I mess up and costed me so much money in which I don't have at the moment until I sell off some belongings.

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Deleted member 362816 · Jan 26, 2018

This can happen over time with any liquid cooler, AIO or Custom. Its part of the trade off. Water is great for temps but electronics and water don't mix.

rubix_1011 · Jan 26, 2018

This is why I advocate for custom watercooling rather than AIO cooling. The R&D and quality control for custom watercooling components is quite robust and it is common to see a good pump, radiator or block cost more than an entire AIO cooler by itself.

Stop to consider that AIO coolers don't really 'cost that much' in comparison to most other components...this should tell you something as to where corners are cut. Most of the time they don't leak, but you're still dealing with mostly plastic and aluminum components rather than milled acetyl, copper and brass.

4Ryan6 · Jan 26, 2018

In my entire time of water cooling I've had leaks that got into my graphics card slot, and that does not actually mean you have lost the entire setup, because I used CRC QD Electronic Component Cleaner that you can find at literally any Auto Parts Store, it is a spray cleaner and it cleaned off the residue off the motherboard to factory clean, it cleaned off the Graphics Card contact fingers and they looked brand new afterwards, cleaned the inside of the PCI-E slot, and everywhere else it had gotten into.

It sprays out super cold and can actually get the parts so cold moisture can developed from the moisture in the air so after cleaning, I dried it completely with a hair blow dryer on medium heat, then used a stock CPU cooler I had laying around to bootup with, it booted and worked just fine, I suggest you try the same, but go outside the home to use the CRC cleaner it is not breathing friendly, and is extremely flammable but will not hurt the motherboard or graphics card, just make sure you get the CRC QD Electronic cleaner, and not the brake or carburetor cleaner.

If fluid got under the CPU it can be used there too, so unless it shorted out to the point it blew your power supply and if that happened you would know it and you would have smelled burnt electrical which is and unmistakable smell.

That said welcome to the world of water cooling, which is not a set it and forget type of computer cooling, you have to regularly inspect at least monthly, to be sure no leaks are beginning and that's for AIOs as well as Custom cooling loops, nothing lasts forever, even you.

aquielisunari · Jan 26, 2018

4Ryan6 :

Agreed. I purchase a 1080 TI Hybrid. I am well aware of the possibility of leaks. Not one company ever has created a perfect product. Okay, Intel may have gotten close with the 2500K. But there will be failures. I wouldn't take a no from them that easily. I have heard of of people who have had to send in their damaged components to Corsair and they were reimbursed. The reason I am not including those posts I've found is because they all lack proof. I'm not going to offer anecdotal evidence. Even their warranty is ambiguous at best as far as collateral damage is concerned.

I just got off the phone with Corsair and their answer was just as ambiguous. They will replace the unit and I would be compensated for the damaged product(my 1080 Ti that would be underneath it). When I asked them to clarify that I was put on hold. I was told they can't disclose what their damage control team would do in that situation but I would be compensated. What does that mean? 100% of my purchase price? Only compensated for the leaking Corsair unit? I would however contact them again because you're on the other side of the issue. Yours has already bitten the dust.

I've seen those who have been helped by Corsair and others have not. Mechanical failures do happen. Because Corsair won't grow a backbone I'd not buy from them.

aquielisunari · Jan 26, 2018

4Ryan6 :

Agreed. I purchase a 1080 TI Hybrid. I am well aware of the possibility of leaks. Not one company ever has created a perfect product. Okay, Intel may have gotten close with the 2500K. But there will be failures. I wouldn't take a no from them that easily. I have heard of of people who have had to send in their damaged components to Corsair and they were reimbursed. The reason I am not including those posts I've found is because they all lack proof. I'm not going to offer anecdotal evidence. Even their warranty is ambiguous at best as far as collateral damage is concerned.

I just got off the phone with Corsair and their answer was just as ambiguous. They will replace the unit and I would be compensated for the damaged product(my 1080 Ti that would be underneath it). When I asked them to clarify that I was put on hold. I was told they can't disclose what their damage control team would do in that situation but I would be compensated. What does that mean? 100% of my purchase price? Only compensated for the leaking Corsair unit? I would however contact them again because you're on the other side of the issue. Yours has already bitten the dust.

I've seen those who have been helped by Corsair and others have not. Mechanical failures do happen. Because Corsair won't grow a backbone I'd not buy from them.

rubix_1011 · Jan 26, 2018

^^ This is good information, might be a good snippet of info/help for me to add to the WC Sticky page.

aquielisunari · Jan 26, 2018

rubix_1011 :

Please do if it can help others.

Unfortunately I just got off the phone with EVGA. Our word for the day is ambiguous. EVGA won't deal with hypotheticals either. The consumer has to dive into the fire first and if they get burned then EVGA will handle it on a case by case basis. I did use their "member line?" by pressing 1 and entered by card's SN.

Personally I would prefer to offer concrete evidence to pass on. That's probably why Corsair's warranty doesn't say anything about collateral damage. I haven't gotten that deep into EVGA's. They've always(since their 7950KO, 570 classified, 970 FTW) had excellent warranty service. Now I will go do that.

rubix_1011 · Jan 26, 2018

This has always been a known issue of any form of liquid cooling. What happened is unfortunate, but no one can ever 100% guarantee that you won't encounter leaks or insure 100% of your hardware if there is a leak...there is too much liability and the user willingly installing liquid cooling into a machine means you are aware of the risks.

It is actually hard to tell from the photos, but the first one (top) almost looks like the entire top of the pump housing was damaged and split apart, like it was pried open with a screwdriver or putty knife. The side shows non-uniform plastic deformity that looks like forceful disassembly.

The only thing I was going to add to the sticky was the use of that cleaner to assist in clean up.

I do know that EVGA has always offered a no-questions-asked RMA for fully warranted products if you follow their hardware registration policy. (or at least they used to)

aquielisunari · Jan 26, 2018

rubix_1011 :

This has always been a known issue of any form of liquid cooling. What happened is unfortunate, but no one can ever 100% guarantee that you won't encounter leaks or insure 100% of your hardware if there is a leak...there is too much liability and the user willingly installing liquid cooling into a machine means you are aware of the risks.

It is actually hard to tell from the photos, but the first one (top) almost looks like the entire top of the pump housing was damaged and split apart, like it was pried open with a screwdriver or putty knife. The side shows non-uniform plastic deformity that looks like forceful disassembly.

The only thing I was going to add to the sticky was the use of that cleaner to assist in clean up.

I do know that EVGA has always offered a no-questions-asked RMA for fully warranted products if you follow their hardware registration policy. (or at least they used to)

The one that creates condensation? I wasn't impressed. To each their own...

4Ryan6 · Jan 26, 2018

My 2 cents:

Personally, I have bought a Corsair AIO cooler out of sheer desperation to fix my nieces computer, and not have to take it back home to fix it, as I live 250 miles away from her. And because Best Buy was completely out of any type of CPU air cooler, I bought my first and last Corsair AIO, but after taking it out of the box and inspecting the build quality, I could not get the thing back to the store fast enough!

Quality is a very important factor when it comes to water cooling!

Which is something you really don't want to learn the hard way.

rubix_1011 · Jan 26, 2018

AIO manufacturers fool a lot of people with the words 'liquid cooling' on those boxes.

Unfortunately, 'liquid cooling' in a cheap, brightly colored box pales in comparison to the performance and quality of actual watercooling, and they're hopeful that buyers don't understand the differences.

4Ryan6 · Jan 26, 2018

rubix_1011 :

That should be officially rubix_1011's wisdom of the day!!! Ry

rubix_1011 · Jan 26, 2018

I don't normally impart much wisdom (in my mind) but if there is ever a mantra that I live by, it is that one.

While I review many of these coolers for the site, I still very much live and breathe custom watercooling and put my vote in either that, or good air cooling. I will say, though, many closed loop manufacturers have upped their game in recent years and the quality is better, but there is just too much plastic for my liking.

aquielisunari · Jan 26, 2018

rubix_1011 :

If mine dies I hope it's due to the pump failing and nothing catastophic. Gaming for 30 minutes or so brings it to a blazing 41c with an ambient temp. of 20c. I do appreciate what EVGA has done with the cooling solutions on my card.

rubix_1011 · Jan 26, 2018

41C isn't that warm in terms of CPU or GPU temps, it's actually pretty normal. Just note that if you're using air or liquid cooling, your ambient room temperature directly impacts the cooling temp you're able to achieve.

tonylam.h · May 26, 2018

Asus fixed my GPU, I ended getting a brand new GPU turn around time of 1.5 months.
During that time my Benq Zowie also had an issue got a new panel turn around time of 1.5 weeks.
Reinstalled my Noctua CPU cooler and never looked back into water cooling just not worth the troubles. This Noctua if your case can fit it then I don't see any point in using a AIO premade hardly any benefits. I was just dumb and curious lesson learnt!!

Masoner · May 27, 2018

These types of situations make me question my choice in going Water over Air cooling for my OC'd Ryzne 5 1600. But I've always had good results with water cooling my CPU and not sure if Air would do the trick considering that I live in a very hot state and my ambient temps in the office where I'm at can (even with a AC) can get around 80 f during the hottest of months.

tonylam.h · Jul 17, 2018

Well the water coolers have advanced now, I had like one of the either first or second generation Corsair ones, even though it was still within their stated 5 years against any problems. Their service location was on the next continent for me being in australia. I would go back to water cooling maybe if they one day perfect the efficiency of special liquid which disperses heat and also is non electrically conductive.

Yes the 200+ MM radiators are good and better than the highest end of the noctua range but only by a little so if you're going water cooling get the high end one if aiming at low end just get a good air cooler and save yourself the hassle of checking up on it every other year. Lets face it once our technology gets old we lose interest in it and that's the problem maintaining something which is old, uninterested and used

Hard one to keep up with happy cooling

Guest · Jul 18, 2018

yes Corsair liquid cooler are worst as i used h80i v2 with i7 3770k on my last system & within one year of use pump stopped working & cpu temp touch highest at 96% then system crash.
Never use corsair coolers as they are worst . i support XSPC Aio Liquid Cooling with best results.

rubix_1011 · Jul 18, 2018

I literally just tested the new Corsair H100i Pro last night, it releases tomorrow. I was rather impressed.

Never use corsair coolers as they are worst . i support XSPC Aio Liquid Cooling with best results.

I wasn't aware XSPC made an AIO - can you provide a link to the product? And what are the 'best results'...how is this being defined?

vMax · Jul 18, 2018

Well I have a different view...I have used Corsair AIO's pretty much from day one with the H80, H100, H110 and currently a H150i Pro...And I am talking, many, many years and luckily, in all that time I have never had a problem. But I have always known that no product is 100% safe and can develop faults so you take that into account when purchasing, especailly AIO's as I have read many a sad story on a AIO fault, usually just pumps failing but occasionaly leaks.

Bottom line, these things happen and you just have to ask yourself how much risk are you willing to take and if are you totally risk averse, dont buy an AIO but to blame Corsair and in turn all AIO manufactures is going a bit too far as obviuosly they have improved the whole watercooling endevor and market no end bringing many, many PC users and enthusiasts to watercooling with some then moving to full on custom watercooling. They have also improved AIO's generation to generation.

AIO's and custom watercooling use to be a super niche market, now its on par with air cooling and brings a new dimension to cooling which has become pretty much standard now.

Good point on the XSPC AIO...I'd also like to see that!!!

jerrylee22 · Jul 19, 2018

You just have to realize that going in, there's a generally insignificant (but very real) risk of hardware failure with any type of liquid cooling, because you're dealing with electronic components and liquid (usually a base of water, which becomes conductive over time).

There's always a case to be made for user error with liquid cooling (more so with custom loops) which greatly increases this risk. I'm not saying you had to have done anything wrong for it to have failed on you, you very well could just have been one of the unlucky ones. Everything I've read on AIO liquid coolers says that they're "generally" very safe and that it's "unlikely" that anything bad will happen, but that it's "definitely possible" that it could lead to "irreversible hardware failure".

I use air cooling because not only do I like the immediate temperature feedback that you get with air's lesser specific heat capacity, I think fin heat sinks look pretty cool (especially with fans), and I'd develop anxiety over the integrity of my system if I used any sort of liquid cooling, despite the benefits I know it does have. Seeing my processor at ~80C+ under full load (which has never happened during real use) overclocked doesn't give me any anxiety, so I'm happier with it that way, even though I know it "could be better". TJ Max is 100C, and 90C is usually where you should be drawing the line, so it's fine from an engineering perspective.

I'd sooner delid my processor to lower thermals than utilize a liquid cooling system, just because of that small chance that what happened to you would happen to me and completely destroy my $800 graphics card and potentially even my -~- (sigh) $200 PSU or motherboard. Even if it's very uncommon... if it happened... -.-

vMax · Jul 19, 2018

jerrylee22 :

Absolutly agree with your points..for me and you have clearly demonstrated your risk threshold which is normal as there is a small but real risk. I made the move to AIO's.. becouse I just did not want a heavy air cooler hanging of my motherboard especially as I was overclocking. Some of the very best air coolers more than match AIO's, Noctua's mighty D15 as one example, but for me, it is just too big...On a side note, I did go the custom loop route a long time ago but the maintence was one area that I just didn't have the will to keep up with...thus the move to AIO's.

rubix_1011 · Jul 19, 2018

I've custom watercooled for about 16 years and I've always enjoyed the benefits, although they aren't as noticeable under normal load usage. Air cooling and AIO cooling is pretty close right now with some great big air coolers doing remarkably well against AIO coolers. Custom watercooling will usually still do a little better, but situations vary based on a number of variables.

I take the approach of good air cooling or custom watercooling - I personally do not run any boxed AIOs at home with the exception of an EK Predator 240 and a Swiftech H220X, which both are upper end component expandable coolers.

I look at it in this way - AIOs are meant to mimic custom watercooling but at a steep, steep discount in product quality - pump, radiator, fittings, etc. Most good CPU blocks and pumps cost as much alone an entire AIO unit.

Corsair All in One Water cooler do not buy

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