Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF vs. Dell OptiPlex 7070M

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_7070_SFF.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_7070M.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmallMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen8&9 i3/i5/i7;Intel Gen8&9 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium;
ChipsetQ370Q370
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GTX 1650 Low ProfileN.A.
RAMDIMM DDR4-2400/2666SODIMM DDR4-2400/2666
RAM slots42
RAM speed2666 MT/s2666 MT/s
RAM max64 GB32 GB
USB portsUSB 3.1 Type C; (5x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; USB 3.1 Type C; (5x) USB-A 3.0;
Video ports(2x) Display Port 1.2;(2x) Display Port 1.2;
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out; Serial; (2x) PS2; RJ45; Headset; Line-Out;
Optional portsHDMI2.0b/DP1.2/VGA/USB Type-C (DP Alt Mode); Media Card Reader; WiFi antenna; HDMI2.0b/DP1.2/VGA/USB Type-C (DP Alt Mode); WiFi antenna; Serial; Serial+PS2;
SATA ports31
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x4 (open ended);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
PSU200 W90/130 W
Weight5.26 kg (11.57 lb)1.18 kg (2.60 lb)
Released20192019
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 7070 SFF and Dell OptiPlex 7070M

Both computers, the Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF and the Dell OptiPlex 7070M, were released during the same year - 2019.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 7070M is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF and will fit more easily under your desk.

Processor

The two models have the same generation of Intel processors. We think that the 9 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 7070 SFF has 4 RAM slots while the Dell OptiPlex 7070M 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 2666. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF as it has the ability to run 64 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 7070M can do a bit less at max 32 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for the majority of users.

Ports

In total the Dell OptiPlex 7070 SFF has 10 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex 7070M 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 7070 SFF is better equipped as it comes with 3 SATA slot(s), while the Dell OptiPlex 7070M 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 7070M comes with a decent 130 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 7070 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_7070_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_7070M_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout