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XPS 8930, Case Swap, CPU Liquid Cooler temps, Upgrade summary
After a month of daily use of this machine, I want to share the outcome of this successful case swap into a Phanteks Eclipse P350X case.
Machine has been running perfectly with no startup, shutdown or sleep issues as a result of the required workarounds necessary for the successful case swap.
CPU temps are typically around 30 C at idle and the mid 50 C’s under testing loads with the Corsair H60 CPU cooler and noise levels acceptable with the final fan configuration. What is significant with this case swap was the decision to fix the speed of the fan on the CPU cooler radiator rather than connect it to the CPU FAN header and allow the motherboard to control the fan speeds and CPU temps. The drop in CPU temps is significant with the fixed speed fan.
The cost of a case swap would be the cost of the case + USB 3.0 PCI-E card.
The upside of the case swap is that you are no longer limited by the stock XPS 8930 chassis in regards to CPU cooling, GPU cooling, fan noise, and drive placement.
You have the ability to add an air cooled or liquid cooled CPU cooler of your choice, use additional fans for cooling, have multiple hard drive and SSD placements, and add optional LED’s to your liking.
I have received PM's and not into doing videos. So the steps to a successful case swap for the XPS 8930 are summarized here from the original thread where a lot of information was shared.
Phanteks Eclipse P350X
https://www.phanteks.com/Eclipse-P350X.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJEaKt7zv5o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa3tjSCJY7s
Case Swap Summary:
I did three successful case swaps to test different cases to see if the same issues arose with each swap
Fractal Design Meshify C Mini Dark TG
Test build using stock fans on the GPU rear exhaust and CPU upper intake cooler radiators, stock Fractal fans as lower intake and upper exhaust. A 240mm radiator CPU cooler will fit in front as long as the GPU isn't much longer than the 10.5" GPU shown in this case.
Test build using stock fans on the GPU rear exhaust and CPU upper intake cooler radiators, stock NZXT fans as lower intake and upper exhaust. CPU radiator mounted in front of chassis under front bezel. No issues with 240mm radiator CPU cooler in that front position. A 280mm radiator will fit but the bottom part of the radiator will drop down slightly into the opening at the front of the lower shroud.
Initial test build using stock fans for the GPU rear exhaust and CPU upper intake cooler radiators. Stock Phanteks fan as lower intake. Two Noctua slim 15mm fans (from XPS 8930 CPU liquid cooler mod) as upper exhaust. Installing a 240mm radiator CPU cooler is no problem in this case.
With each case swap there are four specifics workarounds necessary for a successful case swap:
- USB connector from the XPS 8930 top IO panel, both blue connector and black connector installed on the motherboard. Blue to blue connector. Black to black connector.
- SD card connector from the IO panel to the motherboard Card Reader header
- Jumper on motherboard front panel header on pins 5 and 9.
- PCIE USB 3.0 card with a 20 pin USB 3.0 header onboard. Connect the top panel USB connector on the new case to the USB header on the installed PCIE USB 3.0 card.
On this closeup from the Phanteks P350X picture note:
-The two USB connectors entering the case to the right of the GPU for connection to the black and blue motherboard USB headers. The USB connectors are from the XPS 8930 IO Panel hidden under the PSU shroud.
-The red PCI-E USB 3.0 card, under the GPU at the back of the case, connected to the USB cable from the top USB ports of the Phanteks case. That two strand cable runs under the GPU to the opening at the lowest of the vertical cable entry slots.
-At the bottom of the motherboard, note the 4 connections located there. From left to right, the HD Audio cable from the top of the Phanteks case, and the SD Card Reader cable from the IO panel under the PSU shroud. The Power Button cable from the top of the Phanteks case and the yellow jumper wire on pins 5 to 9 are right next to each other and connect to the front panel header on the motherboard.
Motherboard connectors info for the XPS 8930:
From first glance the motherboard connectors look to be industry standard Intel header connections. However, unlike the XPS 8910 and XPS 8920, where the case swaps are straight forward and easier, the firmware of the XPS 8930 has specific requirements for connections to certain headers to avoid startup errors.
1) The PSU connections to the motherboard are standard. There is a 24 pin ATX connector to the right of the RAM slots (on the upper right) and the 4 pin CPU power connector at the upper left.
2) Two USB 3.1 headers (blue and black) look like standard 19 pin connectors. On the XPS 8930, they are connected to the 3 USB 3.1 ports and the single USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port on the top panel.
They are marked F USB1 and F USB 2 on the motherboard. The blue header is for the USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port and the left USB 3.1 port. The black header is for the right two USB 3.1 ports.
The top panel USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port is only 5 Gbps, the same speed as the other 3.1 USB ports. It’s just a different connector. The higher speed USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C port is on the real panel.
With a XPS 8930 case swap, one of the workaround is that both the USB connectors from the XPS 8930 IO panel from the top of the case need to be connected into the motherboard USB headers using their respective color connector. Black to black, blue to blue.
Without both headers connected, you will get an IO front panel error at startup.
What this means is the XPS 8930 IO panel at the top of the chassis needs to be inside the new case as part of the case swap. The large PSU shroud compartment at the bottom of the case is a convenient place to hide the IO panel.
Because the USB 3.1 ports on the motherboard are now no longer available for use by the USB front panel connectors on the new case, you will have to bypass the motherboard connectors and install a PCI-E USB 3.0 card on the motherboard and connect the USB connectors from your new case to the PCI-E card.
Be really careful when removing and installing the USB 3.0 connectors on the motherboard. I hate the Intel design as the connectors are very tight and it is very easy to bend or even break a pin. Try to always go straight up of down with the connector. If you wiggle is from side to side you risk bending/breaking a pin.
3) The front panel connector is a standard industry connector and Dell chose to use it only for their power button and LED. Dell used a single connector with only pins 2 and 4 for the power button LED, and 6 and 8 for the power button. There is also a yellow wire jumper between pins 5 and 9 on the connector.
With a new case you can use the pins on that header for the Power, Power LED, Reset, HD Power LED connections. There is a diagram on the XPS 8930 motherboard that shows the configuration for the pins.
On the XPS 8930 motherboard the pins on the F Panel header are numbered like this.
2 4 6 8 10
1 3 5 7 9
Pic of Industry Standard Front Panel with the same pin numbering.
When doing the case swap, the Power button, LED, reset switch all work fine with a new case. The small arrow you will see on a connector is the positive side of that connector.
However, a Jumper is necessary on the XPS 8930 motherboard front panel connector from pins 5 to 9 to prevent a startup power button error. The jumper is a female to female connector for a 0.1" (2.54mm ) header,
4) The Audio connector is a standard HD Audio 10 pin connector with a pin typically missing at 8. This header controls the headphone jack and mic jack on the upper IO panel.
5) Dell uses a 6 pin connector for the Multi-Card Reader on their upper IO panel. On the motherboard it is marked CARD READER.
With a case swap, it was confirmed by RWGordon that you will get a startup error with this header open on the XPS 8930. Connect the card reader connector from the XPS 8930 IO panel to this header with a case swap.
6) Fan Headers
Fan headers: Left is TOP FAN header, right is CPU FAN header. Both are 4 pin PWM. 3 pin fans can be connected to them but they will run at full speeds.
Edit: 8/25/19 Added Alienware R7/R8 case swap information here.
HanoverB
798 Posts
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July 2nd, 2020 12:00
JJ
You would need to get into the wiring and splice/jump those two wires. Not sure how easy that would be.
Bringing in the IO unit seems to be easier unless you are handy with the soldering iron.
It's still nice to have that option since the USB 3.0 header on the motherboard is an issue for connecting the ports on the new case.
--------------
Another option I should re-mention that with the XPS 8930 IO unit in the case, the USB 3.0 ports in the case would allow you to use this cable to create the USB 3.0 20 pin header for the USB connector from the new case. This workaround was from @rwgordon.
This would be an alternative to the PCI-e USB 3.0 card that I chose to use. The cable is a little bulkier and would need to be hidden, so take that into account as well.
The upside of the USB 3.0 PIC-e card would be having additional USB 3.0 ports on the back of the case.
2 Port USB 3.0 Type A Male to 20 Pin Header Male Adapter Cable Cord 0.25m
PDX_1994
6 Posts
0
July 2nd, 2020 16:00
After more than 3 months of daily used, no problem was found on my new Dell XPS 8930 case swap. I was able to use Dell SupportAssist with the new case.
Since I played games heavily, I installed a 240 mm AIO liquid cooler. I wonder for those not gaming much, are the stock air cooler and 5 of 120 mm fans good enough to cool the CPU? If so, we can save some cash on the AIO liquid cooler.
I just would like to thank HanoverB. again. Before doing the case swap I have zero experience on PC build.
Now I 'm confident to build my first PC with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX processor inside a Phanteks Enthoo 719 Full Tower case.
Thank you, HanoverB. and Dell community. I learned a lot from you.
Anonymous
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July 2nd, 2020 17:00
@PDX_1994 Before doing the case swap I have zero experience on PC build. Now I 'm confident to build my first PC with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX processor inside a Phanteks Enthoo 719 Full Tower case.
I also had 'zero' experience and got my first modification lessons from @HanoverB
If you don't mind sharing, post some photos and info about your AMD / Phanteks Enthoo project over in the Custom Builds thread (it is a little long).
PDX_1994
6 Posts
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July 2nd, 2020 21:00
Hi Dell630i,
Sorry not until September 2020, and I 'll post pictures in the mentioned thread. I 've got most of parts needed but the air cooler, IceGiant ProSiphon Elite. I preordered and have to wait until Sept. to get it.
Part lists:
Phanteks Enthoo 719 Full Tower case
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Asus Rog Zenith Extreme X399 motherboard
Corsair RM 850x 850W power supply
4 of 140 mm, and 7 of 120 mm Noctua fans along with Phanteks RGB Fan Frame LED
Anonymous
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July 2nd, 2020 23:00
@PDX_1994 Sorry not until September 2020
OK, that is an awesome looking build . . . pinging the aliens @GTS81 @r72019 so they can look forward as well. Keep us posted on your progress in that mentioned thread.
(click photos to embiggen)
This is the Orange Julius
This is the Purple People Eater
This is the pseudo-Alien
This is the Cosmos
This is my current project . . . just kidding
PDX_1994
6 Posts
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July 3rd, 2020 09:00
@Anonymous
Fantastic PC builds, Dell630i. I 'll use an air cooler, not a custom liquid one, so mine is not brilliant as yours.
I was a faithful Dell customer by owning a Windows XP Dell desktop, then Windows 7 Inspiron 560 one, and finally Windows 10 Dell XPS 8930.
I don't know why over the years, the size of the cases keep smaller and smaller. It didn't bother me much until I used DellSupportAssist app or playing games. The PC made a very loud noise, scaring me.
That 's why I 'm here, reading and then following HanoverB 's instructions, and my Dell is now happy ever after.
Anonymous
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July 3rd, 2020 11:00
@PDX_1994
Case swapping, in-case performance mods, air cooling, liquid cooling, custom builds, detailed diagrams about the electronics and cabling . . . it is all good and valuable information and ideas, the sharing of which is much appreciated by many.
hippocheese14
1 Message
1
August 2nd, 2020 10:00
Thank you for all of this information!
My close friends purchased me an RTX 2080 Super for my birthday, so I was inspired by this thread to perform a case swap to a more spacious case with adequate airflow.
I followed all of the instructions on page 1 and I was able to successfully complete a case swap from my 8930 Special Edition to a Meshify C Mini.
Everything went smoothly
Small issues I came across:
It's been running for 1 day now, and I've come across zero issues!
Anonymous
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August 2nd, 2020 10:00
@hippocheese14 I was inspired by this thread to perform a case swap
Very nice work . . . thank you for sharing.
HanoverB
798 Posts
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October 4th, 2020 12:00
@maddfrosty did a case swap using the sweet Corsair iCUE 220T case here
HanoverB
798 Posts
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October 4th, 2020 12:00
@maddfrosty Sweet looking case!! Amazing what you can get these days for less that $100. Looks easy to setup with the PSU shroud underneath and nice HDD and SSD access. You can do some neat stuff now with further upgrades as you unleashed that machine from that Dell case.
Nice to be able to connect up to 6 fans and control iCUE RGB lighting with that lighting node panel which uses a motherboard USB header to control the software with power connected via SATA to the PSU. EZ install that way. Nice touch by Corsair.
Looks like you used that 20 pin to USB 2.0 9 pin cable to connect that RGB panel to the black USB motherboard header instead of bringing in the IO Panel with onboard USB A connectors. That cable was interesting when I was testing the case swaps because for some reason when you use it, it didn’t cause a startup error when connected to the black USB motherboard header. Glad that you found that useful.
-So then you jumped the two pins on the blue USB motherboard header, front panel 5 to 9 and the two pins on the card reader from @Mr.Byte info using wire jumpers?
-The pins on the motherboard USB headers are thinner than the other pins on the rest of the motherboard headers. The jumper wires I used for testing had male connectors which were a little loose on those pins. How did you connect the jumper wire to make it secure?
-Since that panel just controls the RGB, I am assuming you used the motherboard fan headers for some of the fans. Did you have any issues with the Corsair SP120 PRO RGB fans connecting them to the fan headers, any startup errors?
-Reset button work on when connected to the front panel?
You still have the flexibility to bring the IO panel into the case if you need additional USB connectors such as for an AIO CPU cooler that is software driven and requires a motherboard USB connection
Going forward, I did see this review about the case. About half way through there were some issues with clearance when combining GPU’s and AIO cooling and fans, so keep that in mind when doing further upgrades
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU4yX4svC_Q
maddfrosty
4 Posts
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October 4th, 2020 20:00
Hello Yes i did use the 20 pin to 9 pin adapter (though mine had 8 and still worked) that goes to the corsair commander pro I added that forgot to mention!..it has the fan motors connected to it for speed control as well as the built in node core then those are both sata powered, the node core is where each fan rgb control/connection is)..I still have the old top fan installed for now. Ya i saved that io just in case I need it..I used a small jumper wire on both spots (dell blue header and sd reader) . I didn't try hooking up reset button so its tucked under the others, I don't really use it or notice..No errors at all seems like it wanted this too. .Before I got the case i did look into the measurements (300mm space the card I'm looking at is 242mm the fan is 25mm) and its tight for sure so I'm getting the card first then deciding cooling options, since it is non-k I might just do air cooling or small radiator ...Okay I think that was everything. Thanks for checking it out.
HanoverB
798 Posts
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October 4th, 2020 22:00
@maddfrosty
You are in a good spot....haven't thrown any $$ previously at the chassis to cool it. So nothing wasted.
Since you are using the iCUE lighting with the commander for all the fans you can use any fans you want in the case. When you are ready to upgrade the rear or top fans I would use connect one of the SP120 Pro RGB fans to the TOP FAN and CPU FAN headers and see if they work without throwing a start up error.
The SP120 fans (non-Pro, non-RGB) did not throw an error when connected in my XPS 8930. If those Pro RGB fans work, then use those three fans, one at the rear exhaust and 2x top exhaust. Will look nice. Those fans aren't cheap so would be nice to be able to use them and free up the front for AIO if desired. PWM from the motherboard should run those fans at around 600 RPM at idle. Won't spin more than 1100-1200 RPM at load since that case does not have any airflow issues and if you have the CPU temps in hand.
Not sure what CPU/PSU combo you have and if you need CPU liquid cooling or not. Those 280mm and 360mm Corsair iCUE AIO look nice, but not sure if you need them with your CPU or if the 50mm+ they occupy up front keeps you from getting a longer GPU.
If you can just air cool your CPU, you can just buy one more fan and then stick it in the rear as exhaust, leave the three up front and should look great. Heated air should passively rise and vent out of the top even if you don't have a fan up there.
Just need to make sure both the fan headers have a compatible fan and/ or AIO tach cable connected to it.
Nice to have options heh? That's what the case swap does.
HanoverB
798 Posts
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October 4th, 2020 23:00
@Gysper documented a Aurora R8 case swap with some minor hiccups which hopefully can be sorted.
Nice to see it is possible. He used a NZXT S340 case. Good work!
maddfrosty
4 Posts
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October 5th, 2020 15:00
I am running with the thermaltake smart 700w power, should be good and then just the stock air cooler 8700 non k . I will eventually get more corsair rgb fans for sure,,these are sp120 pro elite. If i get a different kind i will need another node for the rgb control but as far as the fan motors, ya if i cant use the motherboard then i still have 3 ports on the commander available.nice to have options.