Inspiron 3910 Replacement CPU Fan

User reports easy install of Be Quiet TF2 in xps 8950 which uses same CPU socket as 3910. No need to uninstall motherboard. It can use Dell backplate.  

3910 has a narrower width than 8950. Not sure if the Dell premium tower cooler for 8950 is too tall for 3910. Can ask seller or user who has tower cooler for height dimension.

I wonder if this would fit in the Inspiron 3910? It would work with Intel 1700 socket.

https://a.co/d/1rOts5k

It is 134 mm tall from cpu IHS.  3910 is 154 mm wide.  I think the height from the case floor to cpu IHS is probably < 20 mm, but you should confirm that in your case.

this cooler is on the expensive side on Amazon, that is my criticism. 

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8950-aftermarket-CPU-Cooler-Be-Quiet-TF2-fits/td-p/8152513

This here looks to be a better fit and works with socket 1700 and reviews state it's quiet. https://a.co/d/2jm7NC8

I just would not want a fan error message on each boot. I have a warranty on my 3910 and could ask for a replacement fan but it'd probably be the same fan I currently have. What to do. Lol...

The 8950 user who first installed bequiet TF2 did report “The POST error is from a cold start where the fans are not above a minimum speed by the time the cold boot tests are performed.”  and “this issue is not present waking from sleep, only from a cold boot.”  This was also reported by another user who installed same cooler “have also installed, fits great but I’m getting bios (v 1.8.0) error cpu fan not detected.”  

Not sure whether the Noctua cooler can work w Dell stock back plate.

If you can work with a simple cooler (65W TDP) like Dell’s but want a quiet fan, consider coolermaster i70C which has 120 mm fan and c/w lga1700.

Thanks for the information on the coolermaster i70c. I am considering that. Just want to avoid boot up fan errors...I could also contact Dell for a replacement fan...Thanks again for your time and help.

Just wanted to post back on this. I did not replace the cpu fan, instead I added a Noctua NF-A8 Case fan which mounted perfectly in my Inspiron 3910. I needed to remove the CPU Plastic shroud which I did for good as it will not clip on once the Noctua case fan is installed. I did not want to muck with the CPU fan connection to the Motherboard so I ended up buying the following components that connect the fan to the extra sata connection I had one extra since I'm using one to connect a 4TB WD Blue 7200 rpm data drive. Here are the components I bought on Amazon to get this to work with no fan issues at all....and the machine is now quiet and extra cool temps....

Fan: Amazon.com: Noctua NF-A8 ULN, Ultra Quiet Silent Fan, 3-Pin (80mm, Brown) : Electronics

sata splitter: Amazon.com: StarTech.com 6in SATA Power Y Splitter Cable Adapter - M/F - Power splitter - SATA power (M) to SATA power (F) - 6 in - PYO2SATA : Electronics

3-4 pin PWM Sleeved fan power adapter: Amazon.com: CRJ SATA to 3 x 3/4-Pin PWM Sleeved Fan Power Adapter Cable : Electronics 

No boot issues or warnings at all. Just make sure when installing the fan the arrows on the fan point out and up so when mounting it moves the case air up and out.... good video here explains this install and was very helpful with what parts were needed since we have stock Dell Power Supplies....How to install a Case Fan in a Desktop PC (Noctua NFA8 ULN in Dell Inspiron 3671) - YouTube

The video is for an Inspiron 3671 but same concept for a 3910. Works great and very quiet... I installed the supplied Noctua fan silencer drops rpm from 1400 to 1100...very quiet and all is now cool. Just remember you will not be able to use the cpu shroud anymore....not needed...Hope this helps someone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year All!!

Thank you very much for figuring this out and posting this information.  I have the same Inspiron 3910 and have read your messages and watched the video.  I ordered the cables and fan that you recommended.  But I need just a little more help.  If you could provide a few more lines, like "plug cable A into connector B (located near XYZ)" it would be very helpful.  Thank you in advance

I figured it out. Easy. Pretty easy . Nearly plug and play. Thanks again