Damaged CPU heatsink heatpipe loss of vacuum causing instant 100C spike
A punctured, cracked, or severely bent sintered copper heatpipe loses its internal partial vacuum, terminating the liquid phase-change cycle and dropping thermal conductivity to near zero.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- CPU spikes to 100C within 3 seconds of launching any game or benchmark
- CPU cooler aluminum fins remain cold to the touch while CPU core is thermal throttling
- Heatsink was dropped, bent, or damaged during shipping or moving
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 5 steps completedSafety power-off and discharge
Shut down the PC, turn off the power supply rocker switch (O), and unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet. Press the front power button once while unplugged to discharge residual capacitor energy before touching any internal components.
Perform touch test on cooler heatpipes and fin stack
When the CPU reports 95C-100C under load, touch the top of the aluminum cooling fins. If the heatpipes and fins feel room temperature while the CPU throttles, heat is not transferring through the pipes.
Inspect copper heatpipe tips for cracks or punctures
Examine the sealed ends of the copper heatpipes at the top of the cooler tower. If a seal is crimped open or punctured, the internal distilled water vapor has escaped.
Verify thermal paste footprint and mounting pressure first
Remove the cooler and verify the thermal paste was evenly squished into a paper-thin layer. Rule out a missed plastic peel sticker before condemning the heatsink.
Replace the damaged CPU cooler tower
A heatpipe with loss of vacuum cannot be repaired or refilled. Replace the cooler with a budget modern dual-tower air cooler (like Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120).
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