Possible AIO failure? i7-14700KF hitting 100°C with Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240, even under light loads.

[u/PrChewii]

I reach the great tech gurus for your wisdom and help. I'm having serious CPU temperature issues after moving my PC into a new case. I've tried several things without success, and I'm starting to suspect my AIO might be faulty. I'd appreciate some advice before spending money on a replacement.

Specs

• CPU: Intel Core i7-14700KF
• Motherboard: Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX
• CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 A-RGB (purchased around April 2025)
• GPU: Zotac NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
• RAM: 32GB
• PSU: Corsair CV650 650W
• Case: Cooler Master Elite 690 Wood Black (recently purchased)

I recently upgraded my case and installed my Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 inside it. The radiator is mounted vertically on the side of the case. Previously, the radiator was mounted outside my old case because it wouldn't fit.

After the upgrade, I noticed extremely high CPU temperatures, sometimes reaching 100–102°C, even when launching Windows or playing relatively undemanding games like Grim Dawn.

At idle, CPU temperatures fluctuate between approximately 50–65°C, but under gaming loads they rapidly increase to 90–100°C, causing thermal throttling.

What's particularly concerning is that HWiNFO recorded a maximum CPU package power of only 93.6W, while CPU temperatures reached 100–102°C during the same monitoring session.

HWiNFO also reported thermal throttling during approximately 35% of the monitored period.

What I've tried and haven't worked:

1. Reapplied thermal paste multiple times. Cleaned the CPU and cooler with isopropyl alcohol. On my first attempt, I didn't have enough thermal paste, and when I removed the cooler the next day, the paste had barely spread from its original line. This made me suspicious of poor contact.
2. Reapplied fresh thermal paste in an X pattern, carefully reinstalled the pump block, and ensured it was properly tightened. Unfortunately, temperatures are still extremely high.
3. Cleaned the radiator and fans, which were quite dusty from being exposed outside my previous case.
4. Opened the case panels to improve airflow, but this made no noticeable difference.
5. Checked and reseated the AIO cable connected to the pump block. No improvement.
6. Checked the BIOS (Gigabyte Smart Fan 6):
   • CPU temperature in BIOS: approximately 44–46°C.
   • CPU_FAN: 1461 RPM under Normal settings.
   • CPU_FAN: up to 1901 RPM at Full Speed.
   • Changed CPU_FAN Control Mode from Auto to PWM.
   • Returned fan speed control to Normal afterward.
   • No improvement in gaming temperatures.
7. Checked the AIO connections. I'm using the All-in-One PWM cable connected to CPU_FAN. CPU_OPT is connected to another case fan, while the other AIO connection is for ARGB lighting. Since I'm using the All-in-One cable, I understand the RPM reading corresponds to the radiator fans rather than the pump itself.
8. Checked the tubes and radiator. The tubes feel slightly lukewarm, but mostly cool. The air coming out of the radiator also feels cool, even when the CPU reports very high temperatures. I can hear what sounds like water moving through the tubes.

HWiNFO Results

While idle:

• CPU Package: approximately 55°C
• CPU usage: 1–5%
• No active thermal throttling

Playing Grim Dawn:

• CPU Package: approximately 96°C
• Maximum recorded temperature: 100–102°C
• CPU usage: approximately 6–7% at the moment of capture
• Maximum recorded CPU Package Power: 93.6W
• Thermal Throttling: Yes
• PL1 / PL2: 253W / 253W

I might screwed it up by having my AIO outside my old case for a year and a half, I had to get my economy straight >-<! Also I know the Intel Core i7-14700KF is a faulty CPU.

I'm out of ideas, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all awesome chads who took their time to read.

[u/TipsyTriggerFinger]

Google LGA1700 CPU contact frames.

Suggest that's your next move.

Known issue

[u/AntMiserable6610]

A 240mm aio is not enough for a 14700k(f). 360mm minimum for this spicy af chip or a big dual tower air cooler if you can keep good airflow and the room on the cool side. Built my friend a pc using a 14700k and the liquid freezer 3 360mm. Rarely goes above 75c. Also used genuine ptm7950 on their chip and my 14900k. Being outside the case mightve given it more air and cooling power but now inside its just not strong enough.