XPS 8930, LOUD

Mine was like that too but updating the bios cured that but it still had the problem when stressed at a higher level so the addition of the 120MM fan THAT DRAWS ONLY OUTSIDE AIR cured that level also. Now it runs at 93* F coming out of the top rear MAX even on a hot summer day. The next PC is NOT going to be a model with the swing-out PSU.

@546insp  I actually implemented "your" front fan mod to a tee. Used the exact same fan, everything. I also replaced the heat-sink paste with Arctic Silver 5 and no improvements at all. I even took  the hard drive out (just the SSD is in it) for more air flow. Same exact heat and noise issue. I wish I never purchased this machine.

My older XPS 8900 was just as fast, very cool and totally silent under any load (including stress tests). Also loved each my previous many silent/cool XPS systems. But this XPS 8930 has me leaning towards switching brands in the future (soon). I have spent too much of my time trying to quiet down a system that was incorrectly advertised as "silent". So disappointed...

Did you install the latest version of BIOS which " Updated the thermal table to enhance the performance of the fan" ?

Could you just have a bum/noisy fan? Do you know which one is making the racket, eg, CPU, case, or GPU fan?

EDIT: And if you decide to update BIOS, do it manually. Don't let SupportAssist or Dell Update manage the update for you...

It's bitter/sweet that you took my advice. Did you block ALL the surrounding holes around the 120mm fan including the hole way at the bottom? Does ALL the air come from the 1/4" vent behind the front plate? Did you update to the latest bios version? Mine went from like standing next to an F14 taking off to a gentle breeze way in the distance so I don't know what happened with yours. I wouldn't have messed with the paste on a new PC unless it was a last resort. Are the fans working OK?

wbdoll,

Click the link below for resolving fan noise on your computer.

How to Troubleshoot Fan Issues

@RoHe I did update the BIOS and currently on the latest 1.1.8 (and I did do it manually). It is the CPU fan that makes the noise. I do not believe it is a defective fan as at idle it is silent, But as soon as I hit a web page with a video ad or something else that causes the CPU to hit about 20% it sounds like a jet. But even then, it is normal fan noise, just very fast (i.e. no bearing noises or rubbing). Tough to tell if it is the CPU or top fan, seems like both are revving up to me.

@Anonymous CPU is 17-8700 (non-K). PSU is whatever came in it. I removed the hard drive and only have an SSD (Samsung 970 PRO 512GB - NVMe PCIe M.2). 32GB RAM. GPU is the MSI GTX 1060 AERO ITX 6G OC. This is a short card so it does not restrict air flow. It is also silent and cool as I do not game at all. I will attach a photo as requested.

@546insp Yes to all of your questions. I did everything you did including later discoveries. I changed the paste because in another thread I read that someone was able to quiet down their XPS by doing that. Of course no luck there either.

@DELL-Jesse L I went through that trouble shooting link you provided. Vent/system totally clean (fairly new and on the top of my desk). As mentioned above, BIOS is the latest. Everything passed the hardware diagnostics.

Thank you all for your suggestions, I really appreciate it! It seems K version systems came with a better CPU cooling system (heat-sink-T57JF and fan-KTDJC). I don't understand why Dell won't just send these to customers with the sub-par cooling systems to put an end to all these complaints about an otherwise decent system.

I will have to open the box to be sure, but I believe the top fan is already 120mm fan (although of stock variety).

I'm gathering that you don't have a 120mm top fan so you don't have the same setup as my 8920. Why don't you change that little one to 120mm and then get back to us.

OK but a lot of them aren't 120 and I would definitely change it if not. I am going to go with a loaded up 3070 Inspiron next time so I won't have to worry about noise issues.

Room temps are normally around 70* F unless he keeps it in the sauna at 96* F...…..lol.

@wbdollthe place to start is with the HSF that's been suggested. If your'e still unhappy, I'd suggest replacing the top exhaust fan. Finally, I'd suggest a front, lower-intake fan to help keep your graphics card cool. That's how my 8930/I7-8700 is setup, and my temps dropped a cool 25C. BTW, Dell sells the HSF that I referenced above. Shipped, the unit is like $45 (including the tax).

@Anonymous Nice catch on the fan, I will replace next week when I return home. And thanks for the fan bracket number, that will be a huge help.

@savvy2  As @546insp stated, my room temp is usually around 70F.

@ivanmoe When I get home next week I will contact Dell to see if I can order that heat sink and blower fan found in K version systems. Fingers crossed... Also, as @Anonymous mentioned, I have already installed a 120mm lower front intake fan.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! I really appreciate it and look forward to trying these suggestions later next week. I will reply back with results.

I have already installed a 120mm lower front intake fan.

@wbdoll 

That was actually the first thing that I tried as well. Didn't do squat, I'm afraid, 'cept keep the system cooler at idle. My list was basically prioritizing simple ways solve the issue of noise and processor throttling that I experienced with two 8930 that I purchased several months back.  If I began with Dell's CPU/Fan upgrade, its because of my belief that everything has to begin there. The exhaust fan is critical because of the need to increase negative pressure at the top of the case. The intake fan is #3 on the list, because it won't solve a thing until items #1 and #2 are addressed. I had no knowledge of the parts list for this before visiting this forum. Am genuinely grateful for all that I learned from reading the many post on the subject. Good luck, and I know that you'll be much happier with your XPS when you get it cooled down a bit.

It won't do squat with that little top fan choking it.