Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF vs. Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF
Comparison and Differences
| Model | Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF | Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Small | Small |
| CPU options | Intel Gen6 i3/i5/i7 | Intel Gen8 i3/i5/i7; |
| Chipset | Q170 | Q370 |
| Dedicated GPU * | GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile | GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile |
| RAM | DIMM DDR4-2133 | DIMM DDR4-2400/2666 |
| RAM slots | 4 | 4 |
| RAM speed | 2133 MT/s | 2666 MT/s |
| RAM max | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| USB ports | (6x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; | USB 3.1 Type C; (5x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; |
| Video ports | (2x) Display Port 1.2; HDMI 1.4; | (2x) Display Port 1.2; |
| Other ports | Serial; (2x) PS2; RJ45; Headset; Line-Out; | RJ45; Headset; Line-Out; Serial; (2x) PS2; |
| Optional ports | VGA; Media Card Reader; | HDMI2.0b/DP1.2/VGA/USB Type-C (DP Alt Mode); Media Card Reader; WiFi antenna; |
| SATA ports | 3 | 3 |
| PCI slots | PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x4; | PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x4 (open ended); |
| M.2 slots | M.2 2280 M-key (PCIe 3.0 x4, SATA 3.0) | M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 3.0 x4, SATA); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT) |
| Drive bays | 3.5-inch/(2x)2.5-inch; 5.25-inch (slim); | 3.5-inch/(2x)2.5-inch; 5.25-inch (slim); |
| PSU | 180 W | 200 W |
| Weight | 6.00 kg (13.22 lb) | 5.26 kg (11.57 lb) |
| Released | 2015 | 2018 |
| Manual | link | link |
Differences between Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF and Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF
If a more modern desktop is what you are looking for, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF which was released in 2018. The Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF is older and entered production in 2015.
Form factor wise the models are the same - both desktops are of similar size and form.
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 7060 SFF as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 7040 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 4 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 7060 SFF is using the faster 2666 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF is slower by supporting RAM speeds of only up to 2133 MT/s. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 64 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
Total count of USB ports for both computers is 10. What is nice about the Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF, is that it has 1 USB 3.1 port(s) which allows transfer of up to 10Gb/s. Unfortunately, the Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF has no such port, thus restricting your transfer speeds a bit.
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 7040 SFF comes with an HDMI port, while the Dell OptiPlex 7060 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 slot is where SSD, HDD and Optical Disk Drives are connected. Each of the two models being compared have 3 SATA slots.
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 buy SATA drives anymore.
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 7040 SFF comes with a decent 180 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 7060 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.
Motherboard
