Best cooling option

[japlatt]

which is the best option:

1. keeping fans provided by Dell

2. purchasing all new fans

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which is the best option:

1. using mounting brackets provided by Dell

2. creating my own mounting technique so that i can choose the fan size i prefer

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which is the best option:

1. keeping original heatsink and shroud

2. removing shroud and somehow modifying heatsink

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I am running all of the options through my head at the moment, and i think the best option would be to remove the shroud, add a fan to the existing heatsink, and replace all of the stock fans with higher CFM's

Any advice on which method, or product is best would be GREATLY appreciated...

Thanks Again!

[TRow]

You have a lot of good ideas, all most all of which are possible. For the heatsink, Thermaltakes UFO#2 92mm Fan.
1. Purchase Fans Aftermarket ;D

2. Use Both Mounting Techniques

3. Save Fan Shroud for "future" use. Purchase UFO#2 by Thermaltake.

Buy as much stuff as possible on 1 Transaction. The Shipping can be a beast.
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The intake and outake Fans are up to you. 92mm in the Back, 92-120mm in the Front. Buy a bunch of different fans if you can, youll need them later anyway; Trust me.

Experiment and see what Fan setup works best for your needs. Fan Noise vs. Temp Thresholds are subject to each user, so try different combos. Post your results and let us know what you find. 30c Idle is GOOD!

T.RoW

[devnull]

I dont know what generation you have, but I have a gen 3 and I have the stock fans in back, a 120mm in front acting as intake. Then I have a third fan mounted on my stock CPU heatsink, helping push air out. This has worked well for me, and its just a suggestion.

[japlatt]

just got done with a quick Doom 3 run to test out the stock cooling equipment... (XPS Gen 2)

starting temps:
case: 30
CPU: 30

30 mins into doom 3:
case: 35
CPU: 40

EDIT: Mounted stock fans upside down (sensor closer to heat) and re-ran stress test, got better results

Thanks!

[TRow]

japlatt said:

how do i know which heatsink/fan combo i need? Which one will be powerful enough to keep my equipment cool?

What socket does the XPS Gen 2 have for the CPU? What heatsink/fan combos will fit in this?

1. Thermaltake UFO#2.....Click Here for Install Info

2. Socket478, but you dont need a heatsink. In fact, it wouldn't do you anygood to change from the "Heat Piped" design. Instead, strap a UFO#2 on Top and enjoy the results.

All of this is illustrated on the Install Site. Good luck!

[japlatt]

TRow (and devnull)

Thanks for all the advice, and i have ALMOST decided on the way i want to change the cooling on my XPS...

I am going to replace the two 92mm rear fans, as well as mount 1 (92mm or 120mm if possible) fan flush against the metal at the front of the case...

Do i need to get a special fan to mount on the top of my CPU, or can i use an 80mm vantec tornado?

Thanks again, and hopefully this will be the last post before i begin the modding process!

EDIT:with everything removed from the front lower area is there enough room for a 120mm fan? (will go 120mm if possible, otherwise 92mm)

[stevogabe]

Yeah, a 120mm fan will fit. it wont be a perfect fit, but it will work. also if you want more airflow, cut some of the mesh off from the front grill. but DONT do it if you are still under the warrenty, as it will void your warrenty.

Here's a pic of my YS tech 120mm fan.


This fan gets a lot of air movin into the computer. it gets 125.5 CFM in. but it can get pretty noisey, if you don't have a fan controller. 45db. but if noise is a concern for you, id reccomend to get the vantec stealth 120mm fan.

Good luck