Studio xps 435MT into a new case with Cooling controller, Need help!

mikecrowe55

New Member
Here's what I want to do, Pretty much swap out my internals of my Dell xps studio 435mt into a new case, I know ill have to possibly do a custom backing plate for my hook ups, cause dells usually doesn't inter match with nothing else.

I'm going to show you the case I want to purchase , the fans, and the fan controller / Neon lighting, and the use of the new Power supply that comes with the case. Tell me what you think and if it will all work.

The cooling controller http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999218 I really like this and i know it will look real sick in a clear or clear/neon lighted case. Will this all just be a plug and play with my mother board and fans? ( I want to start playing with overclocking and stuff after I know my cooling system is done ) Any reviews or suggestions on a different cooling controller would be appreciated..

Some neon lights I was looking at, wasn't sure how they were installed? never messed with them, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811994001 , and can all the lights be wired up on a switch ? or is splicing wires a bad idea?

and a case like this I think is what I'm going for,(I know ill have to re wire my on/off switch to the new one on the case right?) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148001 Plenty of fans for cooling, looks roomy, and I can add some neon's and the lcd cooling controller and all my internals with a new power supply.. I'm going to order everything from new egg soon's I hear some reviews . Ill post up progress pics and details as well. Thanks everyone . Hope I get some good feedback.

Also how would i wire the I/O panel up? any info on this swap would be nice to thanks:)
 
Hey there mikecrowe55,

Sounds like an interesting project you're going to be working on, though, I do think you'll have a few difficulties along the way.

1. That controller - pretty neat. There are a few reviews available for that unit, and I've heard good and bad things. Why do you want a controller? What do you want to be able to do? I know Newegg doesn't sell them, but look up "lamptron fan controller" on Google - they are another reputable company out there. Their new FC-6 model is pretty nice, though not as flashy as the one you linked to.

As far as being able to connect to existing motherboard / case fans - you'll have to look in your current computer. There are likely 2 types of fans that the controller you pointed out can control - 3-pin and Molex.

The last Dell I took apart did NOT have a standard fan connection for the CPU fan - not that that would matter much, since it plugs into the motherboard, and not the controller.

2. The Neon Lights I think will require a separate power adapter of some kind. I don't think they are usually run off of the computer power supply. I could be mistaken, however. I'm sure if you did a quick Google "how to wire neon lights in computer" - you will find what you're looking for.

3. Yes, cool case. You will most likely have to drill new holes for motherboard standoffs - be sure to take your time to get it nice and accurately. The last Dell I took apart was NOT ATX standard.

The on/off cable coming from the Dell motherboard will likely have more than the standard 2 wires. You may have to do some testing to figure out which 2 wires connect to a standard on/off button.

As far as wiring up the I/O panel - I think that's where you'll run into the most trouble. The last Dell I took apart had one ribbon cable attaching the HDD LED, USB Ports, Audio, and Firewire ports to the motherboard. That is a pure proprietary part for Dell, and there was no way I could adapt that to another case / motherboard. Your best bet is to use the same I/O panel from your original Dell and find some way to make it look good on the new case.

The last Dell I took apart was a few years old, so maybe that's not the case anymore - but check before you dive into this project!

Good luck!
 
Thanks man, This could sound stupid, but for the extra money , the cooling controller just looks cool, and if I'm going for that neon light, clear case, WOW factor.. I might as well stick the lcd screen on the front so its even more wow, plus like I said (not sure if this matters) I do want to overclock my cpu and get into that stuff with getting the most out of my processor, from what I read the controller will come in handy keeping an eye on temperatures for that stuff. Being a clear case, modifying it with a drill and maybe a small drimmel for the I/O panel shouldn't be a big deal. I mean either way you look at it, its all custom so I don't think people will notice the I/O panel not in the place it should b. I could possibly stick it out the top of the case if I wanted. That's actually what I wanted anyway. So as long as I can keep the same I/O, swapping everything shouldn't be to bad. I can just upgrade to a nice new (neon) cpu fan let the cpu control it, and then hook the other 2-3 fans up to the controller right? As far as the controller, once its powered and the fans are plugged in, how or were does the temperature sensors/plugs go? or is there any? I'm excited to get started. Just want to make sure I buy the right stuff.
 
Well I purchased all my stuff, Logisys transparent case, Logisys sound activated module , 2 12" red neons, 1 15" green neon, blue lazer show neon, and the NZXT sentry fan controller. I'll have 3 fans hooked up to the controller, 2 red neons and blue lazer on the sound module, and 1 long green one always on. as well as the three blue led fans will always be on. Ill post up pics of my progress and what I end up doing with the I/O panel, and the backing plate. This should be interesting. I'm going to stick with the stock PSU for now , and just keep an eye on temps, as they should drop with the bigger case and fans. Or I may end up buying the PSU in the middle of my swap. We will see. any advice would be appreciated. Thanks :)
 
Back
Top