Aurora R11, pump fan failure

The best thing to do is message @DELL-Cares as they are best suited to advice where to go from here.

Corsair Hydro Series H60 (2018) 

Don't forger the Y-Splitter adapter cables. The push/pull configuration with ML120 Pro fans has been done by many others . . . there is definitely room for the radiator sandwich in the cage. That being said, it will be a tight fit, so patience is important. Watch that Christmas video to see how it is done. I don't recall if it is specified in that video, but you will need four #6-32 bolts that are 30mm (1.25 inches) long to mount the fan/radiator to the top of the cage.

Take some photos of your project and share here, if you do not mind. It may be helpful to others trying a similar mod.

For a quick opinion benchmark, userbenchmark can be used: userbenchmark 

It's not a top of the line benchmark and sometimes is a bit skewed, but it is free and pretty quick, and gives you a baseline of some sorts.

Hey, the 3 pin versus 4 pin connector is simple: it can only go on 1 way, regardless of how many pins are used. If it does not slide onto the motherboard header easily simple flip it around and try again. Very little force should be used to slide this on.

The sata connector goes into any of the spare sata power plug connectors of the power supply. It DOES NOT go to the motherboard.

No problem. It's never a good idea to keep working hours on end trying to assemble components. Much better to take a break and try again tomorrow.

One other thing to keep in mind is that when you tighten down the pump assembly ensure to keep even pressure by tightening the mounting screws in a cross pattern, similar to how you would tighten a car rim. This will prevent the assembly from being installed under an angle that will in turn provide poor contact with the CPU surface. 

I always use my left hand to keep the pump firmly in place while tightening the screws in a cross pattern.

There should be additional SATA power cables stuffed up in the metal PSU box . . . but any SATA power connection should work. Connect the pump tach ( 1 wire ) cable to the FAN_CPU motherboard header to avoid the diagnostic startup error.

Looks like you did a great job! I think clearing CMOS is a good idea . . . but first;

the pump tack cable (1 wire ) connects to FAN_CPU mobo header

(click photo to embiggen)

Hi ProfessorW00d...... It's Worked, It's actually worked. You are a genius. There is absolutely no way I could have navigated through this upgrade without your brilliant help. I just can't believe that it started up and there were no error messages at all. I powered it down, then started it up again 5 times and every time it has started correctly. That is all down to you and you hard work supporting me. I cannot tell you how delighted and relieved I am. Thank you so very much for being so patient and for staying with me until the problem was fixed. We are leaving for a 4-day break in the morning (it's just gone midnight here) but I can leave in the knowledge that the PC is working. When I get back I will tidy up the loose cables inside and then produce a write up. I have taken lots of photos along the way and hopefully that will help others. All I can say now is a massive thank you. Take care and best wishes, Ed

Good to hear!! I enjoyed working through the project with you. Have a great family vacation!

The front should blow air inwards into the case, the top and if any rear fan(s) should expel air from the case.

The part of the fan that has no meshing in it is always the intake site, the one with the meshing is the exhaust side. There should also be an arrow on the outside of the fan housing to indicate air flow.

Front in, rear and top out easy to remember.

As for thermal paste, either will work just fine. Do not apply too much, with thermal paste less is often better. Tightening of the cooler assembly  always in a cross pattern, 2 turns per screw at a time and don't reef on them, just tighten until they are snug.

I don't know about the headers as Alienware has the strangest layouts sometimes. I am sure the professor can check those for you.

@Ed_B13​   Vanadiel is spot on . . . the front fan should be intake, pulling in fresh ambient air. I am not familiar with those particular thermal paste brands, but they are both probably sufficient for your purposes. I always use Phobya NanoGrease Extreme, but it is not absolutely necessary if you already have fresh thermal paste on hand. The mobo connections are correct; pump tach single wire cable to FAN_CPU and the Y-splitter cable with the 2 radiator fans connects to FAN_TOP.

Hopefully all you needed is fresh thermal paste.

@Ed_B13​   that is great news that you are able to successfully boot again!! If you would have cleared CMOS by removing the CR2032 coin cell battery and discharging flea power I think it would have booted with your RAM modules in the original slots . . . but no need to push that issue. How are your CPU and GPU temps? Are you able to detect a temp difference in the AIO hoses?

@Ed_B13​    are you getting the fan error when you boot your R11, or only when you run Support Assist?  If your component temperatures are good and the fans appear to be working, and you are not getting the error at startup, I would not be concerned. If you get the error at startup that is just a nuisance factor. The ML120 PRO fans were one of the very few fans that could pass the R11 startup diagnostic test, but that was always subject to change with every subsequent BIOS update. If the fans are throwing an error at startup, I believe if you hold down the ESC key when you press the power button the startup diagnostic test will be skipped (perhaps). If the ML120 PRO fans are no longer passing the startup diagnostic test and you are interested in swapping fans, let me know and I will look into a fan recommendation.

What are your CPU and GPU temps at idle @ 20C ambient?

@Ed_B13​    if you are not seeing the error at startup then I would not be concerned at all about the Support Assist findings. We already know Dell systems do not like 3rd party fans.

Your radiator fans may have calmed down since you put it all back together due to 1) fresh thermal paste 2) the front intake fan bringing in fresh, ambient air.

Your CPU and GPU temps look OK. You might consider a little more aggressive fan curve to cool the CPU more. In Fusion, of course, the CPU "FAN SPEED" is actually measuring your AIO pump speed, and not accurately, so that can be ignored. For the other readings, at 52C I would try to get the fan speed up to at least 50%, and see if the noise level is still comfortable.

I'm happy to see your R11 is back in action!!