XPS 8930, how to install top front case fan?

Question

Hi, I've cracked open the case of my Dell XPS 8930 but noticed that there isn't a front, top case fan there. There doesn't appear to be any way to screw on a fan there. Anyone here familiar with how it would attach?

Chino de Oro · Accepted Answer

There are many options to add more fans to your system. Depending on which setup you choose, the required hardware then will be sourced to match. But one thing for certain, top case fan is factory installed (not optional), it has to be there unless your machine had been altered.

Front case fans are optional. The upper hard drive cage should have fan mounts for a 92mm fan. Installation is easy, just drop the fan in the drive cage and secure 4 rubber mounts to the eyelets (holes) Bottom front fan will require a proper fan adapter, which can fit a 120mm fan. The adapter should have 2 inner guiding latches and 1 outer snap lock.

Beside physical fan installation, you may have to provide the power to each front fan. The top case fan already has a fan header on motherboard, located next to CPU fan header.

There are several posts in this community regarding cooling mods. Search for them and decide what best for your fan upgrade plan. Hardware specs and usages preference will determine fan types as performance fans can be loud but it will keep your system with effective cooling. PWM fans can be added and operating together with your existing fan as demands and keeping system quiet when idle.

A picture of your current machine and machine specs can be helpful as it can gather more suggestion input from the community.

JasonTL · Answer

Thank you for the extremely clear answer. I'm not running into any issues currently with temps inside the computer, but just was curious about future options. I just added a 120mm to the lower front

Chino de Oro · Answer

Glad to hear that your system has no thermal issues and the information was useful. Since you have added a 120mm lower front, the next feasible upgrade is replacing the top case fan with a 120mm (new bracket is required) and drop the 92mm top fan into the upper front drive cage. That should complete your project with minimal cost.

OEM fan assembly or brackets can be sourced from OEM parts of Alienware Aurora R5, R6, R7 and XPS 8910, 8920. On a positive note, the fan wiring connectors are standard. That will allow you to use standard PWM fan splitters to share and control all fans speed.

ProfessorW00d · Answer

Here is a picture book how to . . . it includes some other upgrades, but top front intake fan is in there.

anotheruseryo · Answer

I added a total of 4 new fans and replaced the old 92mm fan.

https://imgur.com/a/Bkg1RHj

And you need this otherwise letting dell BIOS/MB control your fans, well it beats the purposeof upgrading fans

Fan controller

https://imgur.com/a/at7HsUI

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, how to install top front case fan?

Was this post helpful?