Dell OptiPlex 5090 M vs. Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_5090_M.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_5090_SFF.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorMicroSmall
CPU optionsIntel Gen10&11 i3/i5/i7;Intel Gen10&11 i3/i5/i7;
ChipsetQ570Q570
Dedicated GPU *N.A.AMD Radeon RX 6400 Low Profile
RAMDIMM DDR4-2666/2933/3200DIMM DDR4-2666/2933/3200
RAM slots24
RAM speed3200 MT/s3200 MT/s
RAM max64 GB128 GB
USB portsUSB 3.1 Type C; (x5) USB-A 3.0; (x4) 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 portsVGA /DisplayPort 1.4/HDMI 2.0b/USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port Alt-mode; SD Card;VGA /DisplayPort 1.4/HDMI 2.0b/USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port Alt-mode;
SATA ports34
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x4;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 bays2.5in2.5in
PSU90/130 W200/300 W
Weight1.17 kg (2.58 lb)5.65 kg (12.53 lb)
Released20212021
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 5090 M and Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF

Both computers, the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF and the Dell OptiPlex 5090 M, were released during the same year - 2021.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 5090 M is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF and will fit more easily under your desk.

Processor

The two models have the same generation of Intel processors. We think that the 11 generation of Intel Processors have enough power to execute all of the home and office tasks that most people will care to do.

Memory

The Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF has 4 RAM slots while the Dell OptiPlex 5090 M has only 2 slot(s). This is not something to worry about. Just make sure you take it into consideration when planning how much RAM you are going to use.

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 3200. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF as it has the ability to run 128 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 5090 M can do a bit less at max 64 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for the majority of users.

Ports

In total the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF has 10 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex 5090 M 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. 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 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 5090 SFF is better equipped as it comes with 4 SATA slot(s), while the Dell OptiPlex 5090 M has 3 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 5090 M comes with a decent 130 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 5090 SFF has a more powerful one rated at 300 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_5090_M_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_5090_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout