Dell OptiPlex 5080 MT vs. Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_5080_MT.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_5090_SFF.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorMini TowerSmall
CPU optionsIntel Gen10 i3/i5/i7; PentiumIntel Gen10&11 i3/i5/i7;
ChipsetQ470Q570
Dedicated GPU *GeForce RTX 3050AMD Radeon RX 6400 Low Profile
RAMDIMM DDR4-2666/2933DIMM DDR4-2666/2933/3200
RAM slots44
RAM speed2933 MT/s3200 MT/s
RAM max128 GB128 GB
USB portsUSB 3.1 Type C; (5x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; USB 3.1 Type C; (x5) USB-A 3.0; (x4) USB-A 2.0;
Video ports(2x) Display Port 1.4;(2x) Display Port 1.4;
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out/In; RJ45; Headset; Line-Out/In; Card reader;
Optional portsHDMI2.0b/DP1.4/VGA/USB Type-C (DP Alt Mode); Serial+PS2; SD4.0; 2xWiFi antenna; VGA /DisplayPort 1.4/HDMI 2.0b/USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port Alt-mode;
SATA ports44
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x4; (2x) PCIe x1;N.A.
M.2 slotsM.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 3.0 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
PSU260/360 W200/300 W
Weight7.2kg (15.89lb)5.65 kg (12.53 lb)
Released20202021
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 5080 MT and Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF which was released in 2021. The Dell OptiPlex 5080 MT is older and entered production in 2020.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 5080 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 5090 SFF as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 5080 MT is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

Both models have have equal amount of ram slots (4 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 5090 SFF is using the faster 3200 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 5080 MT is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 2933 MT/s. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 128 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

Both models have the same amount of USB ports for total count of 10. If this is not enough, using a USB hub is always a viable option. Both of the models have USB 3.1 ports which will allow you to exchange data with your peripherals at up to 10Gb/s. This is especially crucial if you are using external drives on a regular basis.

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.

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 4 SATA slot(s). Keep in mind that having too few SATA slots might limit your options for connecting additional memory drives.

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 5090 SFF comes with a decent 300 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 5080 MT has a more powerful one rated at 360 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_5080_MT_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_5090_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout