XPS 8930, fixed loud and hot issues

Question

I finally became tired of the super loud fans and the high CPU temps of my 8930. The poorly designed case does not allow for proper airflow and the undersized CPU cooler just couldn't keep temps down on my i7 9700. My first step was to work on the top fan. It came with a 92mm that was mounted into a plate that covered the entire 120mm opening in the case. I replace it with a Noctua 120mm fan. Using a fan splitter, I placed the old 92mm fan in the front of the case at the top and left it attached to the PWM and since the Noctua is so quiet, I let it run at full RPMs. This helped in cooling the computer a little, but the CPU was still hot. My next step was to find a CPU cooler that would fit in this case. That proved to be a VERY hard thing to locate. I ended up saying screw it and removed the swinging bracket that holds the PSU. I then made a small bracket out of a PCI slot cover and mounted the PSU sticking halfway out of the back of the case. I used the soft side of velcro to prevent any metal on metal rattling since the PSU was essentially just setting there on 3 sides and being only held in place by my newly made bracket. This newly gained space in the case left me room to install a Shadow Rock TF 2 by Be Quiet!. I also installed another 92mm Be Quiet! fan in the bottom front of the case. The airflow still wasn't great, so with a piece of cardboard, I insulated and blocked the removable side panel and it's venting. I also used some green gaffers tape to cover 2 of the 3 open PCI slots at the rear of the case. With the side panel installed, there was still a decent-sized hole at the bottom of the case that the swing bracket used to cover. For now, I have just used a piece of memory foam to fill that gap and keep the airflow working the way I want it to. This might be a pretty redneck fix to the heat and noise issues, but it works well for me and was inexpensive. The only cost was for the Shadow Rock TF 2. I really like the form factor and the looks of the case and didn't want to transplant to another case. Where this computer sets, you can't see the back anyway. CPU temps were maxing out at 96-99°C before all of this. My max CPU temp I have seen after having it this way for a few weeks is 74°C. My GPU is also running about 12°C cooler on average. The CPU, 120mm top fan, and one of the 92mm front fans are all running at 100%, with only old factory 92mm front fan hooked up to the PWM. I know this probably isn't the best, way to do things, but it was fairly inexpensive, easy, and works for me. I know many have had similar issues and might be looking for a possible solution. I won't say this is the right way to fix the heat and noise problems, but it is the way I did it.

Side view with that massive 135mm fan on the CPU cooler.Here you can see the two 92mm front fans.The grey 120mm top fan move much more air than that stock 92mm fan did.Green gaffers tape and the white foam help divert the airflow to where I want it.You can see the little bracket I made near the top of the PSU. This holds it in place and prevents it from moving, plus it connects the PSU to the case for grounding.

Grill_Daddy · Answer

Everything I did is reversible, and I kept the bracket, just in case I ever decide to sell the system. I am actually replacing the power supply in the next week or so too. The cables are so short that cable management is impossible with the stock power supply.

Grill_Daddy · Answer

I forgot to add these two photos. A little size comparison of the factory cpu cooler and my replacement cooler. The 135mm fan and the 5 heat pipes do an awesome job of keeping the cpu cool.&#xa0;Small factory Dell cooler vs Be Quiet! Shadow Rock TF 2 (Top View)Small factory Dell cooler vs Be Quiet! Shadow Rock TF 2 (Side View)

Grill_Daddy · Answer

Definitely going with a modular PSU. The bracket stays out though. That thing is just a trap for hot air, plus it would never fit back in with my new CPU cooler.

Grill_Daddy · Answer

@Anonymous Still waiting for your photos to be moderator approved. How do I know when they have been approved?  I am new to this forum and haven't actually used forums in years.

546insp · Answer

I'm wondering why the Noctua fans are so popular. I'm not seeing any silver bullet when it comes to fans and why does the BE QUIET brand exist when they look like any another fan. I don't see why a maker of fans can't just tweak their fans to be the same decibels as others. My Arctic fan is very quiet but they don't claim to have the silver bullet, I don't get it.

Grill_Daddy · Answer

@546insp I guess it just comes down to personal preference. My computer sits on the desk about 3 feet from my head. Even with the Be Quiet! 92mm and 135mm and the Noctua 120mm fans running at 100%, I can't hear them unless it is dead silent in my house. When running at idle speeds, the factory 92mm case fan that came in my 8930 can be heard over all 3 of the other fans while they are running at full speed. I will be replacing the front two 92mm fans with either 120mm Noctua or Be Quiet! fans in the next few weeks. I will also be swapping out the factory power supply with an upgraded modular PSU. I have used both of these brands several times and have had good success. Both brands also make more than just fans. It would be like asking why Pepsi exists when there is Coke, or any other competing brands.

546insp · Answer

Pepsi tastes different and I don't like it but I still don't know why Noctua is so popular. My arctic front fan is dead quiet also. Did you read my post on installing a front 120 mm fan in my 8920? (same case etc). You need to get all the air coming from outside for them to work right. I really don't think a top front fan will do much of anything.

Grill_Daddy · Answer

@546insp Heat rises, the quicker you can assist that heat in rising, the quicker it will be moved out of the case. This in return keeps the interior temp lower as it will be replaced with cooler fresh air. Lower interior temps will make the CPU and GPU coolers more effective along with keeping all other components cooler. This is why top fans are so commonly used. I built a dual CPU server about 20 years ago that produced a ton of heat. It was in a huge server case and even with 3 intake fans in the front, and 3 exhaust fans in the rear, this thing got hot. I removed everything from the case and used a plasma cutter and cut 2 120mm fan holes in the top. I left the 3 front intake fans in place and moved the 2 lower exhaust fans to the top of the case and left the 3rd exhaust fan in the uppermost rear position. Temps dropped dramatically. Top fans work. As far as the comments on brands of fans, they are all moot. As long as the brand you choose moves the proper amount of air and you are happy with the noise levels, then that is the fan for you.

546insp · Answer

I agree with all that but I'm saying a top FRONT fan sounds like a bad idea with everything in the way plus you have to sacrifice a HDD bay. Did you see the posts I did on installing a lower FRONT fan with all OUTSIDE air coming in?

Grill_Daddy · Answer

@546insp&#xa0;Yes, I saw your post. I have two drives in the bottom HHD bays and also have an M.2 installed. That is more than enough for me since I have an in-home dedicated data server on my network for all of my photography storage (I'm a photographer.) The top fan directs air right across the RAM and also helps bring in more outside air. Just curious, what are your internal case temps and CPU max temps with your setup. Running a stress test with an ambient temp in my home of 25.2°C, my CPU jumps up to 71°C but the fans quickly nearly instantly counteract that and it cools down to a constant 58-62°C with the exhaust air temp at the top fan being 33.8°C. This setup works great for me and I am happy with my temps.&#xa0;

546insp · Answer

My max temp is 93* F coming out the top on a hot summer day and with intensive programs running. I didn't need a top front fan and it would have just blown air against the PSU and I would have had to eliminate the hdd bay there too. The main thing was to block all the air around the front fan so it was forced to come from the outside. My jet engine fan noise is now GONE.

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, fixed loud and hot issues

Was this post helpful?