XPS 8700, upgrades (tower, PSU, CPU, GPU)

I don't have the specifics on your 8700 but many (most) Dell's have proprietary and undocumented case front panel connections.  Do your homework on this and you will likely have to figure out the connections on your own, unless somewhere on the internet someone has posted the pin outs for the 8700 (and it has to be the 8700 as connections can and do vary from model to model).  The motherboard connections, looking at the manual, look like typical ATX motherboard connections "but".  Also there are 5 motherboard mounting screws and on some the holes are not standard ATX and you may have an issue with this.  The rear motherboard I/O shield is part of the case on most Dell's and not a removable insert like standard ATX motherboards.   

There will also be "Fan Failure" detection notices at power on (and you will have to press F1 to continue with boot) if non-Dell fans are used.  There are some aftermarket (non Dell branded) fans that have the needed Dell fan interface so something else to consider.

In reference to the panel connections, I watched this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKXFF-_IpVI that discussed the pin out assortment for the 8700 (at 5:29) so i'd probably follow that. It's a pretty good overall video in which he completely upgraded an 8700 that is almost identical to mine except for the GPU. He said he found the pin outs and gave the diagram for it so I would probably follow that. He didn't seem to run into a mounting issue so i'm hopeful that it is standard ATX but still not sure. Is there anyway for me to determine this without having to go through trial and error? 

You are lucky to find that video.  If there was no mention of any mounting problems its probably safe to assume there won't be.

Have fun rebuilding the PC.

That's a lot of money to put into an old computer.

The MB is fine (where it is) but not really worth moving.

I suggest you keep the XPS-8700 together as-is (working). Gift, sell, or demote it to a "lesser role".

Buy or Build your new computer when ready.

Got your PM.

I would keep the XPS 8700 as is and upgrade using compatible components that could be transferred to a new machine when you do upgrade from that machine. However, you could certainly use the Corsair PSU,  NZXT case and AIO cooler with a new build if you choose not to go Dell again.

If you want to recase, more info is here, including pinouts

https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General-Read-Only/DELL-XPS-8700-rebuild/m-p/4591634

If you want to keep the current case and the i7 chip you would need to address the PSU wattage, lack of airflow and CPU cooling issues with the GTX 1080ti.

-With the GTX 1080ti, get a rear blower type, reference board, more likely to work with the motherboard BIOS.  Watch the height of the GPU.  4.3-4.4" is ideal to fit under the side chassis.

-Get the new PSU (850w or more), either the high end Corsair you mentioned or the Seasonic Focus Plus Gold or EVGA Supernova G3 Focus Plus Gold.   Seasonic is the most compact.

- Add a 2018 Corsair H60 AIO cooler in the front intake position using Rad Stands.  Would cool the CPU and add a front intake fan at the same time.   I'm fairly certain you can run the hoses over or around the GPU to the front intake position.  Should be easy install without removing motherboard.

If you use the Asetek 545LC 92mm AIO cooler at the rear exhaust position it will stay with the XPS 8700 unless you do a mini-ATX case for your next machine.  Will also cost a lot more than the Corsair units made by Asetek.  The 2018 Corsair H60 and H75 can be moved to another machine when you upgrade.

The i7 with the GTX 1080ti might be stressed on some games but can be managed with the CPU cooler. Just depends on your monitor resolution and refresh rates.  1080p at 240hz, 1440p at 120hz+, 4K would bottleneck that CPU.  At 60 fps with 1080p and 1440p you should be fine with the CPU cooler.

Good luck either way u decide to go.

The reason I'm willing to put that much into the XPS is because I know that the processor isn't too bad so upgrading everything around it would be around $1000 for a huge performance boost. But, the other half of components for a new PC would cost an additional $1000+ which I don't have the funds for currently. 

My plan is to eventually build a new computer completely but until then, I wanted to upgrade what I have with parts that will be able to go into the future build, so that I can use the PC for current games that require beefier specs. Once I build the new computer, i'm going to rebuild the XPS 8700 back to stock and use it for other purposes. 

Also, the decision to move the motherboard is because the XPS case is somewhat tight for what I want to put in it, and there is pretty poor airflow which could affect temperatures of the 1080ti and processor under load. Plus I want a better-looking case overall. 

Really appreciate the response.

For the CPU Cooler, is there a reason you recommend the Corsair H60/75 over the NZXT Kraken X62? I assume it is due to it's compactness of the radiator, but if I am moving the motherboard, wouldn't that resolve the space issue and help with the airflow issue as well? Also, are you aware of any mounting issues with the bracket, that I may face when installing any of these AIO coolers?

I am aware that the CPU bottlenecks are expected (and RAM too, with certain games) but I currently am using two 1080p 144hz monitor so I assume that the processor should be able to handle gaming on one with capped frame rates.

And with the 1080ti, you suppose I will run into BIOS issues with the Strix due to it's cooling fan not being rear blower?

@oSWAT wrote:

Really appreciate the response.

For the CPU Cooler, is there a reason you recommend the Corsair H60/75 over the NZXT Kraken X62? I assume it is due to it's compactness of the radiator, but if I am moving the motherboard, wouldn't that resolve the space issue and help with the airflow issue as well? Also, are you aware of any mounting issues with the bracket, that I may face when installing any of these AIO coolers?

In the XPS 8700 case use the Corsair units.  The barbs rotate nicely for different hose angles, it is fairly compact as it is a single 120mm radiator, tha' is all that will fit in that front intake position.

In the NZXT case go ahead and use the 240mm AIO unit.

@oSWAT wrote:

 

I am aware that the CPU bottlenecks are expected (and RAM too, with certain games) but I currently am using two 1080p 144hz monitor so I assume that the processor should be able to handle gaming on one with capped frame rates.

 

Capping the frame rates might be necessary depending on CPU load at those refresh rates.   With a i7 3770 and a GTX 1080 I had issues with CPU temps at 1440p and 60hz.   Your i7 is about 10-15% faster, so might be fine at 1080p and 144hz.  Worse case is you cap the frame rates.

@oSWAT wrote:

 

And with the 1080ti, you suppose I will run into BIOS issues with the Strix due to it's cooling fan not being rear blower?

In the XPS 8700 case the rear blower would be better to exhaust air out of the back of the case.  You might run into motherboard BIOS issues depending on the model of the Strix card.   Might work fine, just not sure.

Alright that makes sense now.

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@HanoverB wrote:

In the XPS 8700 case use the Corsair units.  The barbs rotate nicely for different hose angles, it is fairly compact as it is a single 120mm radiator, tha' is all that will fit in that front intake position.

In the NZXT case go ahead and use the 240mm AIO unit.

Last question is whether or not there are mounting issues with the AIO's because I've read on other threads that some of the CPUs have unique brackets for the heatsink.