Inspiron G5-5090, desktop cooling

Question

Alienware board and into the Inspiron board. DELL-Admin> I just ordered a Dell Inspiron G5-5090 desktop with an RTX 2070 super as an upgrade. I've been reading around that people are having issues with heat in this case. I was wondering if there is room in this case for additional fans and if I can proactively order a couple extra fans ahead of time and put them in when the computer arrives. Are they regular size fans and is there room to put maybe an extra intake at the front at least? I wouldn't be opposed to getting a different case that would allow better cooling, however I am hearing conflicting things about dell motherboards not being compatible with other cases. Any thoughts on this? Can I get a case that has better cooling and switch all my components over to that? some posts ive seen have implied I would need a new case, motherboard and PSU if I were to do this. any thoughts or advice are appreciated

redxps630 · Answer

probably better to look at real running cpu and gpu temp before jumping ahead. The Dell front and back chassis fans are typically adequate for general use, but if your cpu temp is not well controlled by stock air cooler, you could consider switching to AIO cooler. Gpu temp depends heavily on model and design of card as well as your gaming application. Without real operational data, you could be shooting in the dark. Do not worry too much based on what others say of their system of same model.

GTS81 · Answer

Wise advise. Let the machine do its stuff stock first before attempting any DIY upgrade. Also keep any DIY upgrade  before 30 days are up for return in case you screw something up are dissatisfied.

cg261990 · Answer

Thanks for the advice guys. I went with the i5 9400. It sounds like some people found work arounds to get much better after market cpu coolers to mount on the mobo. So I suppose I can keep that in my back pocket in case it does get too hot as stock. As far as the fans, I'm pretty comfortable tinkering. However I'm reading different things about the dell fan connector. Does Dell use a proprietary fan connection on the fan side or the mobo side? Or both?  Just wondering how I would actually get more fans in if needed, would I splice off the current fan with some sort of adapter.

redxps630 · Answer

from the G5 5090 service manual the mobo uses standard 4 pin PWM connector for chassis fan. no proprietary connector. there is only one back chassis fan.

If you need to add front fans, psu does not seem to offer molex connector.

PS proprietary Dell fan connector on mobo is 5 pin black socket.

redxps630 · Answer

I have never heard people do that but I suppose in desperate times one take desperate measure.  this Dell case is really tying your hands.  If you like the motherboard and cpu very much consider moving the components to a non oem case.  there are ways to overcome the proprietary sff psu w 6 pin ATX if you want to go that direction.  I have helped another community user on another proprietary optiplex sff psu w 6 pin.  If these have same pin out then you have hope.

cg261990 · Answer

Thanks for the response red. So theoretically I could just use a regular fan splitter off  the 4 pin on the mobo, to get 2 or 3 fans going? Sorry for the dumb questions just want to make sure I'm not way off base lol.

GTS81 · Answer

@Anonymous : Wait.. wha? Just saw the photos from your post before this? Since when did you have a G5?

redxps630 · Answer

Re: high RPM high noise server grade fan, e.g., 120 mm Dell 4-pin used in XPS 630i as PCI and HDD fans.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nidec-33502-120x38mm-4-pin-Pwm-Fan-Dell-Alienware/274323589852?hash=item3fdef5cadc:g:AooAAOSwCVReg0Uf

r72019 · Answer

Note that based on other users' reports, the G5 desktop is programmed to check for set responses from the OEM fans (same as the aurora) so if you just upgrade with any 4 pin pwm fan and the fan responds incorrectly it will throw a startup error and mandatory 2 minute test every time you boot. See my comment here.

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron-Desktops/Inspiron-G5-5090-3rd-party-fan-issue/td-p/7508764

redxps630 · Answer

does G5 really need frontal fan to keep it cool?

people convert optiplex MT to gaming PC by adding gpu and upgrading psu all the time. optiplex mini tower has a small 80 mm back fan only and no frontal fan. it uses small low profile air cooler for i5/i7 cpu.

look at XPS 435MT. no frontal fan. just a small back fan. cpu i7 tdp is 130W.

G5 i7/i9 cpu tdp is 65-95W, not high. it is H370 so you can not overclock the cpu. it has a big tower air cooler.

cg261990 · Answer

Thanks for the link. So if one were to run a couple of those corsair fans off a splitter that would avoid throwing the error?

redxps630 · Answer

Corsair ML120 Pro  airflow: 47.3 CFM Rated speed: 400-1600 +/- 10% RPM vs Nidec B35502 air flow: 147 CFM

r72019 · Answer

The Nidec one above is a double thick 1.5A fan and designed to go on the alienware radiator for a liquid cooled system.  Note that due to it's thickness, it would require extra space available to mount up front.

r72019 · Answer

The other thing to consider with the AVC/Nidec OEM high CFM Dell server fans is that they are high current (usually over 1A) whereas your typical aftermarket noctua/corsair fan will pull around .2A (.219A in the case of the 120pro).  That means the OEM fan pulls as much current as about 5 Corsair fans.  Next, the typical mobo header is good for around 1A.  So in other words if your board isn't specially designed to handle a high current fan, and especially if you Y split two such fans, you run a real risk of blowing the fan header / controller chip on your motherboard.

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Inspiron G5-5090, desktop cooling

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