XPS 8940, Better 3rd party cooler

Picture uploaded as requested. 

You can see room for RAM and the provided WHITE spacers used on cooler mount.

I hope to get rid of original fans once I find a working fix for the BIOS complaining if they're removed. 

FYI... 

I crunch data for science using shared computing network (BOINC) 

This pc is running tasks non-stop for MilkyWay@Home, Universe@Home and Rosetta@Home fighting Covid-19.

It's been running 4 hours since cooler upgrade @100% cpu usage, and still hasn't gone over 70 degrees.

Very happy so far, and shame on Dell for their peice of junk pancake cooler. 

@Darren_F    I hope to get rid of original fans once I find a working fix for the BIOS complaining if they're removed.

One thing you could consider trying is to connect a 3-pin fan to the mobo connector that is throwing the start-up error. This worked on some of the Alienware Aurora series rigs . . . but no guarantee it will work for you. Of course . . . that 3-pin fan will spin at constant rpm and not be modulated. All of the fans on my XPS 8930 are 3-pin fans . . . no start-up error.

You are getting those BIOS errors because of no fans hooked to the motherboard. You could hook the rear one back to the chassis header on the motherboard, leave the CPU cooler ones with SATA, and then just get another 92mm Noctua fan and stick it on the lower front and hook it to the CPU header. It would be only one extra fan.

@kanadian-kaos      You are getting those BIOS errors because of no fans hooked to the motherboard.

yeah . . . I missed that part about the SATA power connection. So all three fans are spinning at 2000 rpm . . . that should do it  

Thanks for sharing this! Let me ask you if this would be possible

- Drop the whole case and mount the XPS940 in a standar ATX case. is the MoBo Mini-ATX? Do you think the holes match the standard?

- Replace the stock CPU cooler with Noctua NH-U12P (I have one of those lying around)

I know the backplate is not a perfect fit but I am willing to adapt if necessary, also the PSU is not standard size but again I can devise some mod. The main points is whether the CPU Cooler would fit the bolt holes (I suppose they will as Noctua has similar mounting options on their whole line) and if the MoBo holes could allow the Mobo to be bolted to a ATX case 

Thanks anyone for your help!

Hey @Darren_F , exactly how many washers did you use for each screw and in what configuration (as in like how did you stack the washer)? Also is there enough clearance to put the side panel back on?

@malauddin2 I have the i7-10700k

 @Darren_F  just to make sure though there is enough clearance to put the side panel back on right? and also what processor do you have? Because I have the g5-5090 with an i7-10700f , but the XPS 8940, and g5-5090 seem to be the same exact model but essentially reskinned. Thank you again for the reply your and your post has actually clarified many things (I'm inexperienced with this stuff sorry for all the questions)!

@malauddin2 put the M3 washer on the M3 screw first, then put on the M4 washer. 

I added the cpu fan. I split connection of the cpu fan header. I'm seeing max temp of 66 now. Machine is quiet. Loudest fan in the case is the rtx 2070 super.

@JamesonB    I added the cpu fan. I split connection of the cpu fan header. I'm seeing max temp of 66 now. Machine is quiet. Loudest fan in the case is the rtx 2070 super.

Great Job! . . . and great temps. Can you share some photos of the completed mod? Some of your previous photos did not post.

Added them back and pics of the second cpu fan. Noctua supplies the splitter with the NF-A9 and an extra set of mounting brackets for the fan are supplied with the CPU cooler. The Noctua splitter splits from a 4 pin to a 4 pin and a 3 pin. I connected the push fan to the four pin and the pull to the 3 pin. My understanding is that the missing pin on the one Y connector is to monitor RPM. Given Im using the same fans it doesnt have to monitor both and will provide PWM to both.

@JamesonB Quick question: are the M3 screws and washers come as part of the Noctua NH U9S package or do they have to be purchased separately?