XPS 8940, Better 3rd party cooler

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. 

Just another end user upgrading  components.

Updated case fan to Noctua NF-A9 and cpu cooler to NH-U9S. All running off their respective fan headers. I now see max CPU temps of 75 instead of 95.

I used the black spacers provided by Noctua with pan phillips M3 x 16 mm machine screws and M3 washer to mount the brackets.

I moved the 3.5 drive tray to the top position in the case.

I plan to run another CPU fan and split the connection of the CPU fan header. 

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 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?

The screws and washers have to be purchased separately. I bought mine from Lowes. Home depot should have them too. Others have purchased from amazon, but i wasn't looking for a kit of 300 pieces.

Good job here, I used exactly the same cooler with my G5 5090. FYI, I think you installed the mounting rails incorrectly, they should have run from left-right as per the picture instead of top-bottom (according to the Noctua installation guide)...but I dont think it matters.

@JamesonB Hi! A total noob here, I want to try this out myself, but Im not exactly sure what I need. After going through this very useful thread, I decided to go for the NH-U9S and NF-A9 like you did, but since the NF-A9 has some variations, PWM, FLX, which one with how many pins do I want for the 8940?

Another thing, you moved the cage of the hard drive, is this necessary to have enough space?

I also notice that the GPU only has one fan, which normally should have 2. Is there any way to add one more and would it be necessary for the long run?

Thank you!

@hquangn go for the PWM, it should have four pins. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RUZ059O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Regarding the hard drive cage, I wanted unrestricted airflow, space was of no concern.

Truth be told I don't know what the best approach is for the video card. I'm sure its fine the way it is, but if you had to you could find some after market cooler.

https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-Accelero-Xtreme-III-CrossFire/dp/B007YLUCKQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ARCTIC+Accelero+Xtreme+III&qid=1610249691&s=electronics&sr=1-1

Have fun tinkering

@JamesonB thank you for the quick reply! I will post my result here in a few days when all the parts arrive.

Also, there is no way to upgrade the PSU right? Can you confirm this? 

Dell engineering uses same genetic design of 6 pin ATX and 2x 4 pin 12V CPU in multiple new desktop models including XPS 8940, G5 5090, Vostro 3681. This makes sense.  Motherboard for these three models listed below.

PSU of XPS 8940 and G5 5090 are interchangeable.

XPS 8940 500W psu:

99TPH 500w Liteon
Y7R0X 500w Chicony

Y7R0X 500W psu D500E005P H500EPM-00 for G5 5090, 7070, 7060

https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-Wiki/FAQ-XPS-8940/ta-p/7675306

G5 5090 460W psu:

p/n: 4FWF7 PWR SPLY,460W, CHNY

p/n: HG9XD PWR SPLY,460W, ACBL

p/n: 92WNC PWR SPLY,460W, LTON

Dell Optiplex 7050/3050/5050/3040/3046 psu DP/N  4FWF7, 460W, H460EBM-00

Therefore https://www.moddiy.com/products/Dell-OptiPlex-3040-3050-3060-Main-Power-24-Pin-to-6-Pin-Adapter-Cable.html

24 to 6 pin ATX adapter for 3050 is applicable to G5 and XPS 8940.