Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF vs. Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT
Comparison and Differences
| Model | Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF | Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Small | Mini Tower |
| CPU options | Intel Gen4 i3/i5; Celeron; Pentium; | Intel Gen8 i3/i5/i7; Pentium; Celeron; |
| Chipset | H81 | H370 |
| Dedicated GPU * | GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile | GeForce GTX 1650 Super |
| RAM | DIMM DDR3-1600 | DIMM DDR4-2400/2666 |
| RAM slots | 2 | 2 |
| RAM speed | 1600 MT/s | 2666 MT/s |
| RAM max | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| USB ports | (2x) USB-A 3.0; (6x) USB-A 2.0; | (4x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; |
| Video ports | DisplayPort 1.2; VGA; | Display Port 1.2; HDMI 1.4; |
| Other ports | RJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; | RJ45; Headset; Line-Out; |
| Optional ports | Serial+PS2; | Serial+PS2; DP1.2/HDMI2.0b/VGA; Media Card Reader; WiFi antenna; |
| SATA ports | 2 | 3 |
| PCI slots | PCIe 2.0 x16; PCIe 2.0 x1; | PCIe 3.0 x16; (3x) PCIe x1; |
| M.2 slots | N.A. | M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 2.0 x4, SATA); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT) |
| Drive bays | 2.5/3.5-inch; 5.25-inch(slim); | 3.5-inch; (2x) 2.5-inch; 5.25-inch (slim); |
| PSU | 255 W | 260 W |
| Weight | 5 kg (11.02 lb) | 7.93 kg (17.49 lb) |
| Released | 2013 | 2018 |
| Manual | link | link |
| Price** | Check Price | Check Price |
Differences between Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF and Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT
If a more modern desktop is what you are looking for, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT which was released in 2018. The Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF is older and entered production in 2013.
If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT and will fit more easily under your desk.
Processor
Usually the newer the generation of the CPU, the better the performance and efficiency is. If your budget allows it, you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.
Memory
RAM slots is where your insert your RAM sticks. Each of those two models has 2 RAM slot(s) which should be taken into account when planning how much and what combination of RAM you are going to need.
The Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT is using the faster 2666 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF is slower by supporting RAM speeds of only up to 1600 MT/s. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT as it has the ability to run 32 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF can do a bit less at max 16 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for most users.Ports
Total count of USB ports for both computers is 8. None of the desktop models has a USB 3.1 port (10Gb/s), so if you need a fast connection to your peripherals you will need to look at other models.
The DisplayPort is usually the more popular video port used with desktops and laptops, while the HDMI is used predominantly in consumer electronics. It is good to see that both of the models come with a DisplayPort.
The Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT comes with an HDMI port, while the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF does not support the interface. Of course missing HDMI port is something that can be easily fixed with a good adapter (e.g. DisplayPort to HDMI).
SATA port is where you connect your HDD, SSD and Optical Disk Drives. More SATA slots will allow you to have more drives running at the same time. In this regard the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT is better equipped as it comes with 3 SATA slot(s).
If you want the fastest transfer speeds for your SSD, an M.2 interface is crucial. Thus, if the M.2 SSD slot is a mandatory requirement for you, go with the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT. Sadly, the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF has no such slot, and you will be forced to use the SATA interface instead.
Remark: Make sure that the M.2 slot supports the PCIe (NVMe) interface. This is important as there are M.2 slots which support only the inferior SATA III interface. For comparison, the SATA III interface has max speeds of 6 Gb/s, while the PCIe 3.0 x4 will support speeds up to 32 Gb/s!Power Supply
Having a Power Supply Unit with high power rating is important if you are going to use components which require extra power. The Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF comes with a decent 255 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 3060 MT has a more powerful one rated at 260 Watts. Choosing either one depends on your specific requirements and use case. Also don't forget that some models might have more than one PSU option - try to always get the most powerful one.
Motherboard
