Gaming PC Repair Woolwich | AIO Cooler Case Study | ALVA PC

Woolwich · SE18 · Case study 001

Gaming PC repair in Woolwich: AIO cooler replacement

A stopped cooling fan and a warning at startup brought this Woolwich gaming PC to ALVA PC. We replaced the complete liquid cooler, showed the customer the PC working on video, and returned it to their home.

This real repair combined free diagnosis, free collection and return, and a 12-month repair warranty. Here is what happened, including the photos, updates and feedback.

By ALVA PC · Case dates: 19 September–27 September 2026

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Woolwich customer's gaming PC with the reported cooling problem highlighted in green

Location: Woolwich, SE18
Collected: 20 September, 6pm
Cooling repair completed: 24 September
PC returned: 26 September

A Saturday enquiry, a Sunday evening collection

The customer first contacted us at 13:05 on Saturday 19 September 2026, using the WhatsApp button on our website after hearing about ALVA PC through word of mouth. They lived in Woolwich and wanted help with their gaming desktop.

One fan had stopped spinning about a week earlier. When the PC started, it displayed a warning asking the owner to address the problem or change the BIOS settings. The customer reported that the other fans were still working.

Rather than asking them to transport a bulky tower to a shop, we arranged collection for Sunday 20 September at around 6pm. We confirmed the arrival window and sent an approaching-arrival update. Evening collection meant the repair could fit around their plans.

Checking the gaming PC’s cooling system

The system included an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS motherboard, GeForce RTX graphics card and 32GB of Corsair DDR5 memory. Its original cooler was an ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 A-RGB Rev.2.

This is an all-in-one, or AIO, CPU liquid cooler: a connected pump, radiator, tubing and fan assembly. It also has a small VRM fan, separate from the two radiator fans. A report that “a fan stopped” therefore needed checking against the actual cooling components, rather than assuming any replacement case fan would solve it.

The pre-repair BIOS photograph recorded a 57°C CPU reading and fan-header information. That was an initial diagnostic snapshot, not proof of overheating or a sustained-load cooling test. The removable fan module was also inspected, and the model label helped identify the correct replacement.

Pre-repair ASUS BIOS screen showing the Ryzen 7 7700X, 32GB memory and CPU temperature

Before repair: BIOS readings recorded during the initial checks.

Removable fan module being inspected on the ARCTIC liquid cooler

Inspection of the cooler’s removable fan module.

Original ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 A-RGB Rev.2 model label

The original cooler’s label confirmed the model and revision.

Replacing the complete ARCTIC liquid cooler

The repair required replacement of the complete Liquid Freezer cooling unit, rather than fitting only the separate radiator fan initially considered. A brand-new Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 A-RGB was installed, retaining the customer’s cooler size and lighting specification.

We sourced both possible replacement options while diagnosis continued, so the complete cooler was available when needed. Parts arrived on Wednesday 23 September, and the cooling repair was completed on Thursday 24 September.

Throughout the process, the customer received WhatsApp updates explaining the checks, parts arrival and repair progress. Photos accompanied the updates, giving them something more useful than a repeated “we’re working on it”.

Watch the PC start after the repair

We sent the customer this video before returning the PC. It shows the system progressing through startup into Windows without the original warning appearing in the recorded sequence, followed by a view of the powered-on gaming rig. It is a boot demonstration, not a frame-rate benchmark or extended stress test.

After repair: Windows loads without the reported warning appearing. Open the repair video.

Returned to Woolwich, with support afterwards

We returned the PC and spare RAM on Saturday 26 September at around 7pm, following another arrival update. The following day, we checked that everything was working and invited the customer to contact us if they needed help.

They confirmed the PC was working properly and specifically appreciated the communication. For a gaming-PC owner, a completed repair should mean both a working machine and a clear point of contact afterwards.

The customer’s five-star feedback

★★★★★

“everything was really good with the updates being constant and treated kindness and the fix being done quick and efficiently with everything working fully now”

Google review following this Woolwich repair. The customer’s name is redacted in the screenshot.

View feedback on Google

Five-star customer review praising regular updates, kindness and a successful gaming PC repair

The real WhatsApp updates

These redacted messages show the enquiry, collection arrangements, diagnostic photos, parts update and post-repair confirmation. Select an image to read it full-size.

View the five conversation screenshots

WhatsApp enquiry describing a stopped PC fan and a startup warning

1. The original fault and collection discussion.

WhatsApp messages confirming Sunday collection and safe arrival for diagnosis

2. Collection updates and safe arrival.

Cooling-system diagnostic update with a BIOS photograph sent to the customer

3. Diagnostic photograph and parts update.

WhatsApp update confirming arrival of the replacement cooling parts

4. Replacement parts ready for the repair.

Return arrangements and customer confirmation that the repaired PC is working

5. Return, follow-up and customer confirmation.

Gaming PC Cooling Repair and RAM Upgrade FAQs

Answers to questions raised by our Woolwich gaming PC repair, with manufacturer guidance on fan warnings, liquid cooling and DDR5 memory. Sources checked: 28 September 2026.

Cooling Faults & Startup Warnings

Why has one PC fan stopped spinning while the other fans still work? +

A single stopped fan can indicate a faulty fan, loose connection, obstruction or control issue. Some fans also have a normal zero-RPM mode: ARCTIC specifies that the P12 Pro A-RGB stops below 5% PWM. A fan that previously worked but now stays stopped alongside a new startup warning needs checking. The other fans spinning does not establish that the affected fan or the complete cooling system is healthy. Sources: Intel: overheating symptoms · ARCTIC: P12 Pro A-RGB specs

What does “CPU FAN Error” mean, and should I ignore it in the BIOS? +

“CPU FAN Error” means the motherboard is not detecting the expected fan-speed signal. ASUS identifies possible causes including an incorrect connection and a fan running below the detection threshold. Some correctly configured liquid-cooling systems need different monitoring settings. However, selecting “Ignore” only suppresses the warning; it does not repair a stopped fan or faulty cooler. Source: ASUS: CPU FAN Error

Can I keep gaming if a cooling fan has stopped? +

Pause demanding games until an unexplained cooling fault has been checked. The risk depends on which fan stopped and whether the CPU still receives adequate cooling. Thermal protection can reduce processor speed or shut a system down, but it is not a reason to continue using faulty cooling. Shut down immediately if there is a visible coolant leak, a burning smell or repeated heat-related shutdowns. Source: Intel: temperature and thermal protection

How can you tell whether the fan or the AIO pump is faulty? +

The fan, its connection and the liquid-cooling system need separate checks. A technician can test the suspect fan using a suitable known-working connection and check the cooler’s wiring and temperature behaviour. On the Liquid Freezer III Pro, the pump, radiator fans and small VRM fan are distinct components. A BIOS RPM reading is a speed signal, not a direct measurement of coolant flow. Sources: ARCTIC: cooler connections · Intel: overheating checks

Can you replace one radiator fan, or does the whole liquid cooler need replacing? +

A failed radiator fan can often be replaced separately when the rest of the cooler works correctly. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 A-RGB uses P12 Pro A-RGB radiator fans; these are different from its small VRM fan. In this Woolwich case, the repair involved a brand-new complete AIO cooler rather than the standalone radiator fan. That outcome does not mean every non-spinning fan requires a complete cooler replacement. Source: ARCTIC: Liquid Freezer III Pro 240 A-RGB

What CPU temperature is normal for a Ryzen 7 7700X gaming PC? +

There is no single temperature that proves every gaming PC is healthy or faulty. AMD specifies a 95°C maximum operating temperature for the Ryzen 7 7700X. That is a processor-specific limit, not a universal normal gaming temperature. Assessment should consider the workload, temperature trends, cooling operation and any throttling or shutdowns. The 57°C BIOS reading in this case was an initial snapshot, not evidence of how the CPU behaved during a demanding game. Sources: AMD: Ryzen 7 7700X specs · Intel: thermal protection

Will replacing a faulty CPU cooler improve FPS or stop game crashes? +

It can restore performance when inadequate cooling is causing thermal throttling or shutdowns. A cooler replacement is not a guaranteed FPS upgrade and will not fix every crash. Graphics drivers, unstable memory, software and other faults may need separate diagnosis. For this repair, the recorded outcome was a successful startup without the reported warning and the customer’s confirmation that the PC worked — we are not claiming a measured FPS increase. Source: Intel: temperature and thermal protection

How should a gaming PC be tested after a liquid-cooler repair? +

Check fan operation and CPU temperature behaviour during a controlled workload, followed by repeat startup checks. Look for unexpected throttling, shutdowns or unreliable starts. A startup video alone is not a complete cooling stress test. The video in this case study demonstrates the boot sequence; no before-and-after gaming benchmark or recorded post-repair load temperature is presented. Source: OCCT: hardware testing and monitoring

RAM Upgrades & Gaming Stability

Will upgrading from 32GB to 64GB RAM improve gaming and multitasking? +

Extra capacity is most useful when your games and applications need more memory than is available. It does not automatically increase FPS or fix unresponsive browser tabs. Check the game’s recommended requirements and actual memory use while reproducing the problem. Demanding simulations, large mod collections or heavy background workloads can justify more RAM. Source: Kingston: gaming memory requirements

What do EXPO, XMP and DDR5-6000 mean? +

EXPO and XMP are memory performance profiles that apply settings such as speed, timings and voltage. EXPO is AMD’s technology and XMP is Intel’s. DDR5-6000 describes a memory data rate of 6000 MT/s, often advertised as “6000MHz”; it is not the CPU’s speed. Enabling a performance profile is memory overclocking, and successful operation depends on the complete CPU, motherboard and RAM configuration. Sources: AMD: EXPO memory profiles · Intel: XMP memory profiles

Can four 16GB DDR5 sticks run at 6000 MT/s with a Ryzen 7 7700X? +

It is possible, but it is not guaranteed. AMD lists DDR5-5200 for two-module configurations and DDR5-3600 for four-module configurations on the Ryzen 7 7700X. Those are official supported speeds, not a prediction that every system must stop there. Four sticks at 6000 MT/s are therefore beyond the published specification and require validation. Source: AMD: Ryzen 7 7700X specs

Will using all four RAM slots overload or damage the motherboard? +

Populating four supported RAM slots does not, by itself, mean the motherboard is being damaged. The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS is designed with four DIMM slots. Additional modules increase loading on the memory controller and can make high-speed operation less reliable. The practical concern is failed starts, memory errors or crashes — not a prediction that four sticks will eventually destroy the board. Sources: ASUS: motherboard memory specs · PassMark: memory errors and stability

Is a matched 2×32GB kit better than 4×16GB for a 64GB AM5 upgrade? +

A compatible matched 2×32GB kit is generally the simpler starting point for 64GB on this Ryzen system. It uses fewer modules and avoids combining two separate kits. Check the exact CPU, motherboard, BIOS support and memory compatibility list before purchasing. Two sticks do not guarantee DDR5-6000, and four sticks can still work at suitable tested settings. Sources: ASUS: motherboard memory specs · Corsair: combining memory kits

Can I combine two RAM kits if they have the same brand and speed? +

Matching labels do not make two separately purchased kits a validated four-stick set. Corsair warns that combining kits can cause stability problems, prevent a performance profile from working or stop the PC booting. Modules sold in one kit are validated together for that kit’s rated performance. Source: Corsair: combining memory kits

How do you test RAM stability after adding more memory? +

Confirm the detected capacity and settings, then run a dedicated memory test — not just a Windows boot. Tools such as MemTest86 can expose errors that ordinary use initially misses. Test the final configuration, including any reduced speed, and investigate errors before returning the PC to use. Source: PassMark: memory errors and stability

Repair Cost, Collection & Support in Woolwich

How long does a gaming PC fan or liquid-cooler repair take? +

Turnaround depends on diagnosis, replacement-part availability and the testing required. In this case, the PC was collected on 20 September and the cooling repair was complete on 24 September, with return on 26 September. Those dates describe this job, not a guaranteed turnaround for another repair. Tell us about any deadline when booking so we can discuss a realistic estimate.

Do you collect gaming PCs from Woolwich, or must I visit a shop? +

ALVA PC offers free collection and return for local repairs in Woolwich, SE18, by arrangement. We can assess whether an on-site visit or collection is appropriate for the fault. A large gaming tower does not have to be carried to a shop by its owner. This case used a Sunday evening collection and a Saturday evening return. Source: ALVA PC: callouts and collection

Will a cooler replacement delete my games, and do you need my Windows password? +

A CPU cooler replacement does not normally require wiping the SSD or reinstalling Windows. A current backup is still sensible before any repair. Hardware checks can often begin without a Windows login, but software-based testing may require authorised access. Discuss a suitable arrangement with us, such as a temporary test account, rather than sending an email or Microsoft-account password. Sources: ARCTIC: cooler connections · Microsoft: managing user accounts

How do I book a gaming PC repair in Woolwich, and what are your hours? +

Contact ALVA PC with your postcode, symptoms and any known PC or cooler model. A photograph of the warning and a clear picture of the cooling setup can help; you do not need to dismantle the PC yourself. We are available 7am–11pm, seven days a week, with visits subject to arrangement. Use our tech repair callout page to contact us, or check the areas we cover.

Have a similar problem? Send ALVA PC a description of the fault through our repair callout page.

Need gaming PC repair in Woolwich?

Tell us your postcode, PC specification and symptoms: a fan not spinning, startup warning, overheating concern or unreliable boot. Our computer repair callout service starts with free diagnosis, with free collection and return where workshop work is needed.

You approve the repair cost before work goes ahead and can check your device before paying. We are available 7am–11pm, seven days a week, with visits arranged around availability. Beyond gaming desktops, we help with phones, laptops, MacBooks, PCs and consoles, subject to model and fault.

Explore iPhone screen repair callouts, MacBook battery replacement with local collection, and slow-computer and virus-removal callouts for Windows and MacBook problems. Check the areas we cover or message us to confirm your address.

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