XPS 8940, Better 3rd party cooler

Ebay is the supposedly robust cooler for XPS8940 advertisements

 link https://www.ebay.com/itm/Novo-DELL-XPS-8940-Ventilador-de-refrigeracao-da-CPU-com-dissipador-de-calor-0VWD01-MWXCG-/264695265464?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

As anticipated, my 3D printed fan bracket is posted here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4785786

Please feel free to share it to anyone who wants it, and if anyone can confirm if it works in the G5 gaming case I will update the part to note that.

As for CPU cooling, I'm quite happy with going the route of the Noctua NH-D9L. If you can get ahold of M3 screws and washers it it a literal drop in replacement. Also of note, M3 x 20mm screws will work as well as M3 x 16mm. I had planned to cut them down to 16mm but they worked just fine as is.

@KuroAkuma80 

"unless you order the "K" version of Intel processor"

Maybe I don't get it right because English is not my main language... You differentiate here between non-K and K processors. Dell sells i7-10700 and i9-10900K in my country, but according to the support, the CPU cooler does not differ in XPS desktops. So isn't Dell's statement correct?

@Rynek 

You can download MSI afterburner and adjust the fan curve, but remember the GPU is inside the casing right below your CPU, by keeping the fan curve low which will increase the over all heat inside the case.  Not suggested for longevity of the computer.  I usually wear the over ear headset so the noise doesn't bother me much.

Just my 2 cents.

@bigfraggle007 

At least in North America (US and Canada), non "K" comes with the pancake style CPU cooler and the "K" processor comes with the "on literature" CPU cooler.  You can google or check youtube videos to verify.

I did a lot of research before I pull the trigger on buying the XPS 8940 desktop, and I knew that I will needed to upgrade the cooling immediately.  Since building a gaming PC is nearly impossible due to the shortage of GPU, it is better off to buy the prebuild with decent spec, and rip out the parts when decide to upgrade later... lol 8P

Do you guys think this heatsink from older dell would work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-01TD00-1TD00-Precision-T3600-T5600-T7600-CPU-Heatsink-46-2/133442566860

Hi everyone, I see that there are 2 Noctua coolers being used for XPS8940: NH-D9L and NH-U9S, can you recommend which one works better, is preferred? Thank you!

In my brief research most benchmarks will show the D9L and U9S to trade blows by less than 1°C and less than 1 dbA of noise difference. To the untrained eye/ear I don't think you would be able to tell the difference. Here's one arbitrary review I saw showing as much (note their charts are scaled really aggressively; read the numbers not the bar height lol)

https://www.enostech.com/noctua-nh-d9l-nh-u9s-reviews-giveaway/

Note that I cannot attest for this sites content - never really followed them - but they show like ~0.3 dbA of noise difference and ~0.5°C difference under a stock load. Functionally identical imo in a practical situation.

100% the reason I bought the D9L was it was on sale on amazon at the time for $70 CAD and the U9S ranges from $85-95 CAD. My personal advice is buy the cheaper one.

I think this post shows it best imo:

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8940-Better-cooler/m-p/7703087/highlight/true#M54141

You use the noctua intel mounting brackets and spacers, but instead of the supplied backplate and nuts you use M3 x 16mm (or M3 x 20mm) screws with washers to secure the noctua brackets thru the motherboard to the case from the frontside.

Nothing reused from the XPS mount at all

Assuming it has the same mounting system, has anyone considered trying the NH-C14S? I'm still not in love with  the GPU temps and fan speeds and I'm wondering if a downdraft (or updraft) cooler would distribute air thru the case more effectively for the GPU, particularly with a front fan installed.

I feel like the intake fan, a tower cooler, and the rear exhaust probably just robs the GPU of any air movement at all and I'd be willing to sacrifice some of the CPU cooling efficency if it can help drop the GPU by 5 or so degrees.

I might pick up an NH-C14S just for fun to try unless someone has a story.

@purpledrillmonkey 

I don't think so since it has a 5 pin connector instead of 4 pin.  If you are going to spend that much, may as well get the NH-D9L.  Pretty sure is the same if not cheaper price.

Regards,

KuroAkuma80

What is the total amperage that you have going into the fan header? I am worried to add an additional fan to the same header in fear of frying the motherboard. Can the header handle up to 1 amp or higher? There is little to no information on this motherboard so i am trying to be cautious. I was able to add a new exhaust fan. I also want to replace the cooler but do not want to remove the mobo. I'm looking for something with the same mount so i can just screw it in to the existing pre drilled holes. 

 Amazon.com: EZDIY-FAB 120mm PWM Blue LED Ring Fan,Blue LED PWM Case Fan for PC Case,CPU Cooler and Radiators,4-Pin 3 Pack: Industrial & Scientific

I also got the non-k i7 and it came with the basic, garbage "pancake" fan cooler and not the upgraded fan and heat-sink assembly shown in the XPS manuals.

did you remove the motherboard to install the bracket or just screw into the existing holes