Dell OptiPlex 3070 SFF vs. Dell OptiPlex 5050M

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_3070_SFF.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_5050M.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmallMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen8&9 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium;Intel Gen6&7 i3/i5/i7; Pentium;
ChipsetH370Q270
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GT 1030 Low ProfileN.A.
RAMDIMM DDR4-2400/2666SODIMM DDR4-2133/2400
RAM slots22
RAM speed2666 MT/s2400 MT/s
RAM max32 GB32 GB
USB ports(4x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; (6x) USB-A 3.0;
Video portsDisplay Port 1.2; HDMI 1.4;Display Port 1.2; HDMI 1.4;
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out; RJ45; Headset; Line-Out;
Optional portsSerial+PS2; DP1.2/HDMI2.0b/VGA; Media Card Reader; WiFi antenna; Serial+PS2; Serial; VGA; DisplayPort 1.2; WiFi antenna;
SATA ports21
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe x1;N.A.
M.2 slotsM.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 2.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT) M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)
Drive bays3.5in/(2x)2.5in; 5.25in (slim);2.5in;
PSU200 W65 W
Weight5.26 kg (11.57 lb)1.18 kg (2.60 lb)
Released20192017
Manuallinklink
Price**Check PriceCheck Price

** As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
* 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 3070 SFF and Dell OptiPlex 5050M

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 3070 SFF which was released in 2019. The Dell OptiPlex 5050M is older and entered production in 2017.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 5050M is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 3070 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 3070 SFF as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 5050M 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.

The Dell OptiPlex 3070 SFF is using the faster 2666 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 5050M is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 2400 MT/s. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 32 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 3070 SFF has 8 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex 5050M 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.

The DisplayPort is usually the more popular video port used with desktops and laptops, while the HDMI is used predominantly in consumer electronics. That's why, it is good to see that both of the models come with a DisplayPort.

In case your monitor supports HDMI only, you will be happy to hear that both models come with an HDMI port.

SATA ports are placed on the system board and it 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 3070 SFF is better equipped as it comes with 2 SATA slot(s), while the Dell OptiPlex 5050M has 1 slot(s).

When your goal is to have the fastest SSD transfer speeds, an M.2 interface is crucial. Thus, it is good that both models have M.2 SSD slots. Today M.2 SSDs are not much more expensive than the average SATA drives, so it really does not make sense to invest in SATA drives anymore.

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 5050M comes with a decent 65 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 3070 SFF has a more powerful one rated at 200 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_3070_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_5050M_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout