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Alphacool pump VPP755 review of noise issues and problems

144K views 764 replies 118 participants last post by  TeslaHUN 
#1 ·
EDIT: I'll attempt to keep this 1st post factual and update it with info. The replies in the threads however tell a very sad story about the companies behind this product.

REPORTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM

Posting for awareness after my VPP755 in use for 7 days fell victim to the same type of noise as in the videos below. They are all from folks whose VPP755 pump got noisy after a while. It looked like a promising pump on paper, which was initially silent even at 3500 rpm in my case (with a Watercool Heatkiller D5 top).

Video reports:

  • (this is mine, note that it's sitting on a thick sponge, completely decoupled from the case; fan noise for comparison before switching on the pump; noise is the same regardless of the o-ring used).


Audio report from someone else:


More reports on Reddit:

  • ).

    My RMA experience

    2017-02-26: RMA opened at Aqua Tuning.

    2017-03-06: RMA not going that great, see here. I was asked for video evidence (!).

    2017-03-10: More progress on my RMA here. I was allowed to send it back. They conditioned the refund on reproducing the fault.

    2017-03-18: Pump sent back to Germany. I pointed out that I opened this thread on OCN.

    2017-04-04: Full refund received, more here.
 
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#2 ·
My VPP755 developed the same issue after some months now (still kinda silent on 1 though), however this has not been fixed with the V2...had some V2s here which made that noise straight out of the box.

On the RMA I was told, that this happened because I used three drops of Mayhems Biocide with distilled water...go figure, I suppose I'm ending the VPP755 experiment.
 
#3 ·
That's a BS response from Alphacool. I'm using EKWB clear coolant and it's the Rev2 of VPP755, both purchased beginning of Feb.

Alphacool is changed their tune before when confronted with issues. They were confronted about their claim that this pump is compatible with all D5 tops. Reviewers (e.g. here and here) tried it with some D5 tops and found that some don't fit or they leak. Alphacool then adjusted their claim to say all "current" D5 tops. Still, some of the "current" D5 tops still don't fit or leak (see those two links) and Alphacool were confronted again. They then said they tested this pump only with D5 tops from Alphacool, Heatkiller and Aquacomputer. Officially, the claim is still that it's compatible with "all current D5 tops" (see screenshot from Alphacool website taken today), which is isn't true.

I'll see what they'll say in my RMA since I have used EKWB coolant and the Heatkiller D5 top (horizontal position etc, pretty much everything is by the book).
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mastabog View Post

It's very disappointing as it looked like such a promising pump, which was silent even at 3500 rpm in my case (mine has a Heatkillert D5 top and is sitting on a thick sponge). I liked the fact that it's using a full length ceramic rod (and not a small ceramic sphere like the D5 holding the whole propeller making it prone to wearing out the propeller's graphite, like here)
I have the exact same combo as you and my pump is about 2 weeks old, I am definitely going to keep an eye on it after reading this thread.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by miller330i View Post

I have a version 1 that has not been used yet. What should I do? Thanks!
Depending on where you live, you should have a grace period (2 weeks?) to return products for a full refund, which is what I would do if I were you - check your country's distance selling regulations and/or the shop's return policy. If it's outside that grace period, then I guess you could test it and if it's noisy or otherwise faulty then you can open an RMA case under warranty with either the shop or Alphacool.

Note that the noise may not be audible at first ... in my case it took 7 days. Others reported noise after 1 day (like the guy in the video) while others after some months. YMMV. I guess it also depends on the rpm you run it at, ambient and coolant temp etc. I kept mine mostly at 2800 rpm.
 
#7 ·
@ Toltol
There is a reason why you lose your warrenty at a lot of brands if you are using Mayhem liquid.

@mastabog
All "current" D5 tops. Laing changed the impeller of their pump in 2011, all tops from all brands had to change their tops. If you are using an old top with a new D5 you will always have problems with leaks and other things. Doesn`t matter if you are using a VPP755 or a brand new D5 from Laing/Loward.

@all
If you have some issues with with the VPP755 start an RMA. Until now, we got only 5 VPP755 pumps back, one had a problem with the knob and the other 4 was damaged by the customers. They put the impeller out.
We can`t retrace wich kind of problems you guys have, if we didn`t get the pumps back. We have to check them.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AT-Eduard View Post

@ Toltol
There is a reason why you lose your warrenty at a lot of brands if you are using Mayhem liquid.

@mastabog
All "current" D5 tops. Laing changed the impeller of their pump in 2011, all tops from all brands had to change their tops. If you are using an old top with a new D5 you will always have problems with leaks and other things. Doesn`t matter if you are using a VPP755 or a brand new D5 from Laing/Loward.

@all
If you have some issues with with the VPP755 start an RMA. Until now, we got only 5 VPP755 pumps back, one had a problem with the knob and the other 4 was damaged by the customers. They put the impeller out.
We can`t retrace wich kind of problems you guys have, if we didn`t get the pumps back. We have to check them.
I noticed the warning on aquatunings site about mayhems and loss of warranty with certain brands. Can you tell me why this is?
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AT-Eduard View Post

Because Mayhems is using glysantin or sometimes glycerin for their liquids an both attacks any kind of plastik (Acetal, Plexi, PVC.... ). Thats the reason why a lot of brands gives no warrenty on their products if you use Mayhem.
so lets say Mayhems X1 premix clear is best from them
1. Is X1 coloring acetal/plexi/pvc too ? or only if i add Mayhems Non Stain Dye ?
2. what replacement do you suggest to be equal to X1 please ?
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AT-Eduard View Post

@ Toltol
There is a reason why you lose your warrenty at a lot of brands if you are using Mayhem liquid.

@mastabog
All "current" D5 tops. Laing changed the impeller of their pump in 2011, all tops from all brands had to change their tops. If you are using an old top with a new D5 you will always have problems with leaks and other things. Doesn`t matter if you are using a VPP755 or a brand new D5 from Laing/Loward.

@all
If you have some issues with with the VPP755 start an RMA. Until now, we got only 5 VPP755 pumps back, one had a problem with the knob and the other 4 was damaged by the customers. They put the impeller out.
We can`t retrace wich kind of problems you guys have, if we didn`t get the pumps back. We have to check them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AT-Eduard View Post

Because Mayhems is using glysantin or sometimes glycerin for their liquids an both attacks any kind of plastik (Acetal, Plexi, PVC.... ). Thats the reason why a lot of brands gives no warrenty on their products if you use Mayhem.
I'm very surprised and intrigued by what you're saying. You say "a lot of brands". Which brands exactly? Can you show us any links from those brands where that is stated about Mayhems coolants? As far as I know, Mayhems also makes the EKWB coolants, which have been used by so many users. By what you are stating, the EKWB coolants are also off limits warranty-wise? If they were so destructive, I would have expected a river of reports from users. You also seem to make no distinction between clear and color coolants. Are both of them voiding your warranty?

I did start an RMA for my pump, as I said (I also PM'ed you and Pascal) but haven't heard back so far - it's been only 24h so that's fine. My experience with Aquatuning so far was that replies always took a few days and there were always delays with shipping of which I was not informed of, I had to ask about it via email to find out the cause. No pun or criticism intended, I was never in a hurry and you guys have always seemed friendly enough.

EDIT: About the pump: the pumps in the reddit threads, as well as mine and the others' who reported, started making noise without taking the pump apart. I agree with you that everyone should send it back to you ... but apparently you refuse to accept some of them because of the coolant they used. I used EKWB EVO clear coolant, the pump has been horizontal and started making noise after 7 days. As I said, I opened an RMA at Aquatuning so I'll see how that goes.

About the D5 tops compatible with VPP755: the reviews which I linked (here and here), which are by experienced folks, stated that the EK D5 Revo top leaked and the Monsoon SAP D5 top didn't fit -- both are current D5 tops, designed and manufactured recently. The VPP755 has a taller shoulder and also different protrusion length for the impeller tip (I measured it myself as I still have two D5 pumps). As long as there are differences to the D5 pump then it can't really be compatible with any D5 top.

I use a Heatkiller D5 top. The Heatkiller D5 top comes with a much thinner o-ring than the one supplied with the VPP755. If I use the one supplied with the VPP755 then it pushes the pump out of the top by more than 2mm (remember, the shoulder is also taller than the D5 pump), and the rear bracket hangs off by 2+mm. The Heatkiller o-ring pushes out the pump almost 1mm (mostly because of the taller shoulder compared to the D5 top), but I can screw in the bracket without worrying about damage. Which o-ring should be used with the Heatkiller top?
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AT-Eduard View Post

@ Toltol
There is a reason why you lose your warrenty at a lot of brands if you are using Mayhem liquid.

@mastabog
All "current" D5 tops. Laing changed the impeller of their pump in 2011, all tops from all brands had to change their tops. If you are using an old top with a new D5 you will always have problems with leaks and other things. Doesn`t matter if you are using a VPP755 or a brand new D5 from Laing/Loward.

@all
If you have some issues with with the VPP755 start an RMA. Until now, we got only 5 VPP755 pumps back, one had a problem with the knob and the other 4 was damaged by the customers. They put the impeller out.
We can`t retrace wich kind of problems you guys have, if we didn`t get the pumps back. We have to check them.
I'm definatly sending that one that makes these sounds back. However I'm pretty sure which kind of answer I will get.

In regards to the mayhem fluid, I can understand the policy in regards to aurora, however the vast majority here uses EK / Mayhem (Pastel or regular) fluids or some biocide (which AT offers in their shop), so voiding warranty in these cases seem more like a way to not have to offer any warranty at all.
As others have pointed out, EK being one of the larger companies, is perfectly fine with Mayhems, which indicates there's no general issue here.

In regards to the tops, wouldn't be suprised to see that the Watercool top is actually incompatible longterm or that the vertical mounting of the pump actually causes these issues given time.
 
#14 ·
I have a vpp755 on order right now and this thread is making me question it. Should I switch to a vpp655 instead? For the people in this thread who do have the noise problem, did you take out the impeller? How many people here have the vpp755 without issues? I really want the vpp755 because it sounds like a great pump across the board but reliability is paramount for me and this washer thing has me worried.
 
#15 ·
I'm convinced that none of those who complained about noise took out the propeller beforehand ... why would they when it was all silent? If anyone took out the propeller then it was after the noise started (and I know of only two folks who did, they both reported it in the Reddit thread in my first post). I didn't mess with the pump. It's still running, and noise is growing louder.

I'm intrigued, to say the least, that Alphacool says they found no issues with noise and that they received only 5 pumps back since they started selling it, which was 4-5 months ago.

This pump is very new, has received reports about noise, and Alphacool/Aquatuning issued some disheartening responses about void warranty (see previous replies). If you want to avoid risks then stick with the trusted D5.

I'm willing to give them a 2nd chance if they send me a fixed version (new revision, not just another new pump that develops the same issue). So far they haven't replied to my RMA...
 
#19 ·
I wrote in the Mayhems thread because the Aquatuning claims about their coolants made in this post worried me since I've been using Mayhems and EKWB coolants. Here's what Mayhems had to say:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1286896/mayhems-users-club/14530#post_25878067

Reproduced in full here as it's relevant for the warranty of this pump. It looks like Alphacool/Aquatuning has wrongfully refused warranty to @Toltol. I'm still waiting for AT folks to confirm which brands are those that consider warranty to be void if Mayhems coolants are used. Also still waiting for them to reply to my RMA...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayhem View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mastabog View Post

An Alphacool/Aquatuning (one and the same?) rep claims that Mayhems coolants void warranty of "a lot of brands" and "attack any kind of plastic (acetal, plexi, pvc, ...)":

http://www.overclock.net/t/1624192/alphacool-vpp755-noise/10#post_25875630

They didn't mention whether it's the color or clear coolants.

I'd be grateful if someone from Mayhems could comment. I've been using only Mayhems X1 clear and EKWB Evo clear, which I undersatnd is made by Mayhems (right?)
Ill contact them over this as this is a misleading allegation. We feel our coolants are one of the best in the market place and do not compromise tubing, rubber, plastic or any seals with any liquid cooling components. We have fully tested this in lab environments and real life situations past and beyond any testing they may do (this is my assumption! not fact). We test from -60c up to 100c+ (*Mayhems Xt-1 Nuke is tested beyond 350c+) unlike many other companies. We all so check for plastic degradation and component failure and have done for many years. Unlike any other company in this market place mayhems do not use pre-bought car coolants or base coolants, they are all made in house from the ground up giving us full control over the manufacturing of the fluids.

Our testing has proven time and time again when certain companies OEM controls may be substandard and we have picked up issues in the past and contacted companies directly over any issues found due to our extensive and some times over the top testing. We do this because we care. If an AT rep is saying this then why are they selling our products on there site which they buy directly from us. !

*XT-1 Nuke was independently tested for its limits in a pressure environment to 390c, This is way beyond any liquid cooling equipment currently on the market for consumer PC's.
 
#21 ·
I just saw the warning about Mayhems coolants posted on the Aquatuning website: http://www.overclock.net/t/1286896/mayhems-users-club/14530#post_25878374 ... this is false. May hold for Aurora, which Mayhems are already clear about, but the Aquatuning warning refers to all Mayhems coolants, which is false, and not ok. They have the same warning for all Mayhems products they sell, the quoted one is from the shop page of the X1 premix clear.

@Toltol, your warranty for this pump should not have been refused. I would push the case forward quoting Mayhems' response in the other thread. I'm getting a little worried too seeing that my RMA is not being answered... I also sent two PMs here to @AT-Eduard and @AT-Pascal.

@Ashcroft - while you may be right, that's unfortunately beyond the point here and you shouldn't blame the "guinea pigs" for trying a new product with good intentions. New products often have teething problems and by definition there will always be guinea pigs. In my case, two D5 pumps died in exactly the same way so I thought I'd try a new product. I'll live with my mistake.
 
#22 ·
@ mastabog
Aqua Computer, Watercool, Phobya and Alphacool. That are the brands you will lose your warrenty if you are using Mayhem fluid. I have no idea if they are making any differences between the liquids from mayhem. And it is not our affair to care about that point. We are selling Mayhem too. We got that info from the brands, and we wrote it in our shop. Thats all.

And about your RMA, what is your ticket, order or customer number? (PN please). I will check what happend.

The funny thing ist, you can read a lot about the pumps, but we sold more than 1000 and we got only 5 RMAs in the moment. And 4 of them was killed from the costumer because they put out the impeller (easy to see). And on had a broken knob.... that was the only real RMA wich we had until now with the VPP755 pump.
 
#23 ·
@AT-Eduard the RMA ticket was just updated on the Aquatuning website by a reply from an Aquatuning employee. However, I wasn't notified that a reply to the RMA was posted or that the RMA was updated (I had manually check). I'll PM you nonetheless.

About your warning on Mayhems coolants: you state Mayhems themselves confirmed their coolants are danegrous and that they shouldn't be used for more than 14 days, but that's false. The 2nd link from Mayhems that you included in your warning contradicts that. Your warning only holds for the Aurora line, which Mayhems are very clear about, yet you posted the same warning for all Mayhem products.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AT-Eduard View Post

The funny thing ist, you can read a lot about the pumps, but we sold more than 1000 and we got only 5 RMAs in the moment. And 4 of them was killed from the costumer because they put out the impeller (easy to see). And on had a broken knob.... that was the only real RMA wich we had until now with the VPP755 pump.
@AT-Eduard When I asked about the damage on the top of the impeller of my brand new VP755, the only response I got back was "the impeller has been removed". Not even a mention of the damage on the top of the impeller, which is the only thing I had asked about.

I had literally just opened the box and saw the scarring on the top, and taken a picture of it, nothing else. So how easy to see is it really that the impeller was removed, or are you being too quick to judge?

Full disclosure, this happened through one of your suppliers, so I never actually got to talk to a rep from Alphacool, and something may have been lost in translation, but that is the response I got. I've been extremely impressed with Alphacool products, other than this incident and the stupidly small headed cap screws you send with your radiators. What the heck is up with that? They fall right through the holes on most fans, and you do not supply washers with the radiator!
 
#25 ·
You are right about the screws from the radiators. I would prefere some screws with a flat but bigger head. No idea why Alphacool put such screw to the radiators.

Can you upload your pic from the pump please? And sent me the link over PN with your mailadress/customer number, i will check what happend.
 
#26 ·
Quote -AT-Eduard "We are selling Mayhem too" -

In respect to the claims above we find our self's reluctantly unable to supply Aquatuning with any more products. Our Policy has always been to support our Customers, OEMs and Distributors to the utmost degree.

Mayhems Solutions Ltd pride our self's on the service we give our consumers and if our distributors cannot offer the degree of service direct though us then we are reluctant to supply them.

If any of our users have any issues we have and will always be there to help in the best way we can. We will honour any claims with our "if you are not happy we will replace" warranty no matter were in the world you live.

Your Sincerely.

Michael Wood
Director / Chemical Engineer @ Mayhems.
 
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