XPS 8950, fan noises (almost clicking sound) - i9 12900k, RTX 3080

Question

Hi

My XPS 8950 makes quite loud fan noises. I think it is a fan because when I turn the power off, the fans lose power and start to spin down. The frequency drops, and it sounds more like a clinking sound.

Can anyone please advise me as to how to proceed, or just sanity check my current plan?

I'm planning on taking the side panel off and checking for any obstructions to the fans that could cause the noise. If the internal fans are fine, then it is probably the PSU. Does anyone know of a way of independently testing if the PSU is at fault? My computer is out of warranty so I'll have to buy a replacement PSU and I don't want to waste the money if it is a different issue.

Thanks :)

redxps630 · Answer

most likely psu small fans which are notoriously shabby and wears off prematurely making noise. You can replace just the fans w high quality Noctua fans if you are handy, or replace entire psu but be prepared it may not last long.

bigchuungus · Answer

@redxps630​ Thanks for the quick response! Are there any official Dell instructions online for replacing the PSU fans? That seems like a better idea than replacing the entire PSU; less money wasted.

redxps630 · Answer

no official.  Dell would ask you to replace entire psu. https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/xps-desktops/replacing-dell-xps-89508960-proprietary-psu-fans/65fc3326a91d187ccb8dfb74

bigchuungus · Answer

@redxps630​ Thank you for the link. I'm a bit worried I would mess that up so I'll probably just replace the PSU. Other than changing the motherboard, is there a way of using an alternative PSU, rather than the Dell one which may have failing fans again.

Hokie_Shankar · Answer

Have you run the complete Dell diagnostics tests?  Restart the computer and hit F12, then select diagnostics. That'll test all components including the cooling fans.

redxps630 · Answer

Re: is there a way of using an alternative PSU

unfortunately not. you can try a different model of Dell psu for this model of pc.

43YPM 1000W Acbel (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14, Precision 3660)
R61D8 1000W Liteon (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14, Precision 3660)
RD0G0 1000W Delta (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14, Precision 3660)
MP23Y 750W, Acbel (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14, Precision 3660)

M92DC 750W, Chicony (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14, Precision 3660)
M2G8X 750W, LiteOn (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14, Precision 3660)
PNWT1 460W Bronze, Acbel (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14)
389MC 460W Bronze, Chicony (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14)
T63HC 460W Bronze, Huntkey (XPS 8950, Aurora R13/R14)
HD2W8 300W, Acbel (XPS 8950, Precision 3460/3660, Optiplex 3000/5000/7000)
3XY3J 300W, Chicony (XPS 8950, Precision 3460/3660, Optiplex 3000/5000/7000/XE4)
6R2MV 300W, Delta (XPS 8950, Precision 3460/3660, Optiplex 3000/5000/7000/XE4)
MJXT6 300W, LiteOn (XPS 8950, Precision 3460/3660, Optiplex 3000/5000/7000/XE4)

bigchuungus · Answer

Great, thanks for the replies.

I ran the diagnostics, and it came up clean. The noise sounds like it is coming from the PSU, so I'm guessing it's a failed PSU fan.

I'm in the UK, and I can't find any of those power supplies on the Dell website. Will I have to buy from the 3rd party provider then (I found some second hand on eBay but I don't want to risk it with a PSU).

The PSUs I found on ebay were about £150 so I may just buy a new case, motherboard, PSU, and CPU fan. Then fit all the parts into the new case. Am I correct in thinking the non-Dell specific parts should be fine to be transferred over to a new motherboard?

The PC has a 3080, NVMe storage, i9 12900k, and 32 GB of RAM. Are these parts transferable to a new motherboard? Price-wise, it doesn't really make sense to buy another Dell PSU, which may just fail in a year or so.

redxps630 · Answer

Re:

Am I correct in thinking the non-Dell specific parts should be fine to be transferred over to a new motherboard?

The PC has a 3080, NVMe storage, i9 12900k, and 32 GB of RAM. Are these parts transferable to a new motherboard?

you are correct. All these can be transferred to a new non-Dell standard motherboard.

The Dell proprietary psu is still too expensive. It has a server psu like form factor, not c/w standard SFX. Unfortunately there is no known adapter either.

bigchuungus · Answer

@redxps630​ Thanks for your time and advice! I've put the parts (well, equivalent I could find) into PC partpicker: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/VxNVxH Do you forsee any issues in using the motherboard, PSU, and case I've picked? Thanks again

redxps630 · Answer

I would choose a Z690 or Z790 chipset motherboard from ASUS as they are usually the leader in premium gaming mobo. The B760 chipset is more for business app and does not support cpu overclocking. XPS8950 has Z690 chipset.

case choice is personal preference. A high air flow one is I would suggest.
For the -k cpu choose a 240mm AIO liquid cooler is what many would suggest.

psu of reputable brand such as Seasonic or Silverstone. Corsair psu has a ranking list. Gigabyte psu is not my first choice.

bigchuungus · Answer

@redxps630​ Amazing; thank you for your quick response and advice; much appreciated! I have one last question (probably): Will I be able to install the NVMe drive I have as it is, or will I have to wipe it before installation?

redxps630 · Answer

you can install as is.  no need to wipe.  Windows will auto install drivers for new motherboard.  you may need to activate Windows again as the Dell oem license may not transfer to new mobo.

bigchuungus · Answer

@redxps630​ Thanks for the advice. I'll post an update when I get round to fitting everything into a new case.

XPS Desktops

XPS 8950, fan noises (almost clicking sound) - i9 12900k, RTX 3080

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