Studio XPS 9100 Suddenly a lot of fan activity

Hi joelincoln,

I would suggest that you run the diagnostics on the computer by following the steps mentioned in the video below and check if there is any issue with the hardware on your system.

http://dell.to/164l6g4

Also, send me a private message with the system service tag so that I can check and assist you. Please click on my name and click on Send private message.

After the removing and replacing of the CPU fan it may be touching some external material to make the noise.

PULL OUT

HOW TO CLEAN

THERMAL PADS VS> THERMAL COMPOUNDS

Thanks again.  I'll have to get some compound and see what happens.

Do you know what temperature my 990x processor's six cores should be running at when at idle?

Again, great info. 

But it has confused me somewhat.  I am using CPUID HWMonitor to monitor my temps.  It is reporting on a "CPU" temp and six "Core" temps (Core #0, #1, #2, #8, #9, and #10).  The CPU temp hardly moves and sits between 30 and 36 C.

The core temps fluctuate significantly between 55 and 100 C.  The fan rpms are obviously reacting to the swings in the core temps, not the CPU temp.

If my heatsink has become disconnected (which I have yet to verify), would that impact the dissipation rate from the cores or the overall CPU or both?

Okay all, FOUND THE PROBLEM!

The plastic holder that houses the large heat sink over the CPU cracked around two of the four mounting screws.  This allowed the heat sink to detach from the CPU.

I removed the unit, cleaned the old compound off and reapplied new Arctic Silver 5 compound per recommendations in the videos and posts above.

I jury-rigged a fix to the mounting screws and reassembled it all.

And voila', it works.  Core temps are all around 30c and the fan is back to its normal quiet rpm.

Interestingly, the "CPU" temp reported by CPUID HWMonitor is unaffected.  It remains at around 36c.  So it's clear that the fan is keyed to react to the core temps and the "CPU" temp is not a reliable measure of CPU heat.

Thanks to 30yearexpert for his copious and useful help.

I am very happy we were able to sort this out. One more video to wrap this up for the future:

CPU TEMP VS. CORE TEMP

ALSO: If shaving degrees is your thing, there is a process called: LAPPING.

This process is used in the gaming world to shave down degrees as to get a better temp while gaming in an overclocked configuration. Usually involves sand paper, water and chunk of flat, thick glass.

If my heatsink has become disconnected (which I have yet to verify), would that impact the dissipation rate from the cores or the overall CPU or both?

You can bet that it has a lot to do with the heat dissipation.

joelincoln,

I had exactly the same issue as you.

I did a similar fix as you have described. I was going to contact Dell and see if I could purchase that plastic holder until I sat and thought about how I could fix it myself. Arranging the 2 broken plastic screw holders toward the front of the machines I used duct tape to secure that side after tightening the two screws toward the back of the machine. The tall fan cyliner and horizontal brace across the chassis gave me the perfect leverage to duct tape it down tightly (torque unknown but not an issue). I know duct tape was a whole lot cheaper than what Dell would have wanted for a replacement. If I ever hear the fan making those noises again, I'll know the tape is stretching and getting lose so I'll apply the same fix again.

Problem solved. Core temps went down from 90-100 to 35-40. 

If someone from Dell is monitoring this I recommend you document this broken heat sink plastic holder where the screws attach it to the motherboard as an installation QA issue.