Aurora R11, liquid cooled pump noise - is it normal?

Thanks for the replies - originally I thought it might be the fans and read online about people stating that was the noise.

So I decided I needed to check what was causing the noise - it definitely isn't the fans - they spin up under load, but the humming/pump noise is constant.

I completely understand the AIO's make noise but I'm trying to ascertain whether my noise is 'normal' as I use my computer for work as well as games - there is no way I could sit in a quiet room for 8 hours with that hum.

As requested, a little test and the temps are:

Using Alienware Command Center (and the chip is an i9 10900KF)

Idle
(Booted in to Windows and not running any applications) - 41C/42C

Stressed
(Not sure what everyone classes as stressed but running Flight Simulator) - 57C to 62C

I'm certainly not expecting silent but my XPS 8900 at idle (e.g. browsing the web) was silent and obviously fans were ticking over to keep everything cool. The noise the new Alienware is making is a permanent drone like an older pump running. I've watched some videos on YouTube of Alienware computers and cannot hear the type of noise I am hearing.

Hence wondering if anyone could confirm if the noise is 'usual'.

Thanks for your input
Rob

AIOs make some noise (they are not completely silent) but for most people it is not too noticeable.   I think at default idle settings in the Aurora (and more so under load), the fan noise should mostly drown out the AIO pump sound.  

AIOs make noise, usually in an Aurora you'd expect it to be drowned out by a fan.  Note that there is a 120mm fan above the AIO cooler, in addition to the one in front of the PC.  So there are two fans humming along. It could be the top fan making the noise.   

And I didn't realise when opening a thread here, someone from Dell would try and assist (that's very good service).

They've just asked me to run the inbuilt diagnostics - which I have done.

Everything passed successfully but I didn't realise the water cooling has it's own fan (according to the diagnostics) - I assumed this was the top fan. Anyway, I'm wondering if the harmonic noise I am hearing is actually the water cooling fan rather than the pump.

It's all very hard to tell as everything is so close together in the case!

I might just have to raise a support case as it will be a real shame if it is a faulty part and something really easily resolved with a replacement. On the other hand, I don't want to waste anyone's time if it is normal!

I found this video on YouTube with regards to AIO's and this is the type of noise mine is making (but it seems much louder on mine to me).

https://youtu.be/CV1BT5nMkhg

Have a look from 1:05 onwards - that the best idea I can give of the noise.

And I should clarify - it's the noise when it's rested on the desk - the vibration noise is permanent. Not the noise when picked up near the camera!! (if only it was that quiet!)

The pump has to run all the time to circulate the liquid past the radiator to maintain a stable temperature while the computer is on so yes its normal.

30C is 86 Fahrenheit  not even as hot as normal body temperature. Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).If your body gets below 90 F your heart stops and you die of hypothermia.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682

30C to 35C is not high at all so I have no Idea why you think its high. In context you could put your cheek on a cpu at that temperature and it would feel cold because your body temp is 37C.

22C is 72 Fahrenheit  aka normal room temperature.

CPU will Always be higher than that.

37C is 98.6 aka normal body temperature.

40C is 105 Fahrenheit  and what I would expect a normal Idle temp to be when the room is quite cold.

48C is 118 Fahrenheit which in a warm room with passive cooling is still fine.

62C is hot and would be too hot to touch at 144 F but still not abnormal.

Past 85C I would be concerned if its idle at that temperature after having been off for some time.

The melting point of 60/40 solder is 190 degrees Celsius

100C which is the limit is 212 Fahrenheit  aka boiling water.

You are never getting down to 20C aka 68F aka Max Cool for your air conditioner for the house.

5C is your refrigerator aka 40 Fahrenheit 

0C is your freezer aka 32 Fahrenheit 

Since the desk is acting as a sound amplifier I would suggest getting 2 of these to put under it .

https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Dampening-Speaker-Riser-Foam/dp/B00SVRLR06/

Or one of these which would fit the entire unit

https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Dampening-Speaker-Riser-Foam/dp/B00SVRLPUS/

110 LB LOAD CAPACITY: Each riser measures 22.5” x 17.8” x 1.8” w

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions.

Dell have reviewed the video clip and believe the noise is normal.

I'm going to let everything bed in for a week or so and then can go from there - being brand new, everything has new and different noises and I am potentially basing my noise experience in an unusual environment where I'm listening for things that potentially I would just ignore (as it's so new).

If I do think the noise is too much, I can always raise a support case - I have the 3 year premium plus warranty, so plenty of time to resolve. I can also look at those vibration absorbers as well.

Thanks for everyone's assistance.
Rob

" but I didn't realise the water cooling has it's own fan (according to the diagnostics) -"

Yes, the AIO fan is the top fan I referred to in my earlier post.  You would usually expect this fan to drown out the sound of the aio, especially under load, as it outputs much more noise at a rated 56.5 db(a) under max load.  It is attached to the radiator at the top of the case.  If you follow the tubes from the alienware head aio block you will see it.  The sound in your video clip does seem ok, at least from what the recording picks up.  If you wanted to test the source of the sound you can momentairly cut the fan speed in AWCC to see if it goes away.  My first thought fir sound complaints in thus pc would be the fan. 

I have exactly the same issue just bought mine last Oct but didn't arrive till Jan 2021, it has the CPU liquid cooler, the issue is the pump not the fans, its like having a fish tank pump in my office. It's very annoying and very distracting when doing office work, for gaming its blistering fast but this is a £2000 pc and expected better. I am considering in getting it sent back.

I reported this problem The tech showed up and said this was par for the course. It sounds awful. He even had a NEW PUMP READY but said "It's a lot of work to replace it. This sound is what it should be."

I'm reaching out again and want the pump replaced. I'd be hard pressed they want hardware to sound like this?

Am I crazy?