Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF vs. Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_3020_SFF.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_9010_USFF.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmallUltra Small
CPU optionsIntel Gen4 i3/i5; Celeron; Pentium;Intel Gen2&3 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium;
ChipsetH81 Q77
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GT 1030 Low ProfileN.A.
RAMDIMM DDR3-1600 DIMM DDR3-1333/1600
RAM slots22
RAM speed1600 MT/s1600 MT/s
RAM max16 GB16 GB
USB ports(2x) USB-A 3.0; (6x) USB-A 2.0; (2x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0;
Video portsDisplayPort 1.2; VGA;(2x) DisplayPort 1.1; VGA;
Other portsRJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; Serial; (2x) PS2; RJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In;
Optional portsSerial+PS2;WiFi antenna
SATA ports22
PCI slotsPCIe 2.0 x16; PCIe 2.0 x1; mPCIe 2.0;
M.2 slotsN.A.N.A.
Drive bays2.5/3.5in; 5.25in(slim);2.5in; 5.25in(slim)
PSU255 W200 W
Weight5 kg (11.02 lb)3.3 kg (7.26 lb)
Released20132012
Manuallinklink
Price**Check PriceCheck Price

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* Dedicated GPU warning: Check if your particular power supply model has enough power. Additionally some PSUs don't come with an auxiliary PCIe power connector and you may need to buy a SATA to PCIe power adapter.

Differences between Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF and Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF which was released in 2013. The Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF is older and entered production in 2012.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF 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 3020 SFF as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

Both models have have equal amount of ram slots (2 RAM). Usually two RAM slots are more than enough for most cases. However, the count should be taken into account when planning how much and what combination of RAM you are going to need for your system.

None of the desktops has an advantage when it comes to the speed of the RAM being used. Both models support RAM speeds of up to 1600. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 16 GB of RAM will be enough for most people. However, if you will be needing more RAM, make sure to check other desktop models too.

Ports

In total the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF has 8 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF is inferior in this regard and packs 6 USB ports. In any case, if you miss USB ports, you can always purchase a USB hub. None of the desktop models has a USB 3.1 port (10Gb/s), so if you need a fast connection to your peripherals, like external Solid State Drive, you will need to look elsewhere.

DisplayPort is crucial for any desktop machine. It is good to see that both models are featuring DisplayPorts. However, the Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF comes with 2 ports, while the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF has only 1. If you are planning to use multiple monitors, the Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF is the better choice.

None of the models has an HDMI port. If your monitor supports only the HDMI interface, you will need to buy an adapter. Such adapters are cheap so nothing to worry about.

SATA slots are located on the motherboard and it is where SSD, HDD and Optical Disk Drives are connected. Each of the two models being compared have 2 SATA slot(s). Keep in mind that having too few SATA slots might limit your options for connecting additional memory drives.

M.2 SSD interface allows you to transfer data with higher speeds compared to the old SATA interface. Unfortunately, neither the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF, nor the Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF has one. However, you can still use a SATA SSD drive which should give you satisfactory performance.

Make sure that the available M.2 slot supports the PCIe (also called 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 6Gb/s, while the PCIe 3.0 x4 will support speeds up to 32Gb/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 9010 USFF comes with a decent 200 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF has a more powerful one rated at 255 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, especially if you plan to upgrade to a powerful GPU.

Motherboard

Dell_OptiPlex_3020_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_9010_USFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout