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Lime21

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4 years ago

L

Lime21

30 Posts

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1187

April 24th, 2022 19:00

XPS 8950, Push Pull AIO

I've been wondering since I got my 8950 if another 120 would fit.  After seeing it done on the R13 side of things, I did a test fit and it does!

This is a great option for those on 12700k or 12900k especially since the summer is coming:

Lime21_0-1650854769381.png

I was worried about VRM heatsink clearance, but it clears it!  No need for 2 slim 120s to do it - the Noctua F12 3000 RPM fan works well - it's just as noisy as the stock case fans 

Lime21_1-1650854868510.png

 

  • kras1

    2 Intern

    444 Posts

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    Posted April 25th, 2022 09:00

    Thanks for posting that. Was it easy to mount and how did you hook up the new fan? Does it seem to cool better?

     

  • Lime21

    30 Posts

    944

    1

    Posted April 25th, 2022 17:00

    Hi Kras - it was challenging given the limited space, but since I already tried doing a pull instead of a push I was familiar with the steps - It would be good to have someone hold it for you while you screw it in.  You'll need 4 more radiator mounting screws to do it.  I used the same fan header for a total of 1.5A.  It's definitely not worse that just the pull, but I'm waiting for another cool day to do stress testing to match when I did the previous test - I'll do that in the next few days.

    If you're wary of disassembling it I've also tried mounting it outside for a ghetto look while I was planning the proper install:

    Lime21_0-1650931225987.png

    I was saddened by the GN R13 review but I'm glad I got the better priced version without the plastic panels.  Now I only want another exhaust fan to balance out the airflow.

  • kras1

    2 Intern

    444 Posts

    929

    1

    Posted April 25th, 2022 21:00

    That is great work. I am not afraid of getting into it, in fact I already installed a Corsair H80. I was mainly asking because these threads pop up in Google searches and it's great info for others. I think it's awesome that you were able to get more cooling capacity from the stock AIO without a ton of modifications. I think there will be others that will be using your idea.

  • Lime21

    30 Posts

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    0

    Posted April 26th, 2022 14:00

    I did my usual TimeSpy and CineBench tests - the Push Pull configuration reduced peak CPU temp by 5 degrees, but the best performance was with the pull fan outside (1 deg cooler).  Maybe having the fan pulling air thru the VRM (in stock placement) helped there.

  • Lime21

    30 Posts

    817

    1

    Posted May 1st, 2022 15:00

    Updated pic with Noctua SAVG1 gasket/shroud - now it's cooler and quieter because of less leakage - and all black.  Bonus pic for the side Arctic F9 fan:

    279322676_376742184468116_6527752201093804368_n.jpg