Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF vs. Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF
Comparison and Differences
| Model | Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF | Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Small | Small |
| CPU options | Intel Gen2&3 i3/i5; Celeron; Pentium; | Intel Gen10 i3/i5/i7/i9; |
| Chipset | H61 | Q470 |
| Dedicated GPU * | GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile | GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile |
| RAM | DIMM DDR3-1333/1600 | DIMM DDR4-2666/2933 |
| RAM slots | 2 | 4 |
| RAM speed | 1600 MT/s | 2933 MT/s |
| RAM max | 8 GB | 128 GB |
| USB ports | (8x)USB-A 2.0; | USB 3.1 Type C; (2x) USB-A 3.1; (3x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; |
| Video ports | HDMI 1.2; VGA; | (2x) Display Port 1.4; |
| Other ports | RJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; | RJ45; Headset; Line-Out/In; Serial; (2x) PS2; |
| Optional ports | N.A. | HDMI2.0b/DP1.4/VGA/USB Type-C (DP Alt Mode); SD4.0; 2xWiFi antenna; |
| SATA ports | 2 | 3 |
| PCI slots | PCIe 2.0 x16; PCIe 2.0 x1; | PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x4 (open ended); |
| M.2 slots | N.A. | M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 3.0 x4, SATA); M.2 2280 M-key (PCIe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT) |
| Drive bays | 3.5-inch/2.5-inch; 5.25-inch(slim); | 3.5-inch/(2x)2.5-inch; 5.25-inch (slim); |
| PSU | 240 W | 200 W |
| Weight | 5.70 kg (12.57 lb) | 5.28 Kg (11.63 lb) |
| Released | 2012 | 2020 |
| Manual | link | link |
| Price** | Check Price | Check Price |
Differences between Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF and Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF
If a more modern desktop is what you are looking for, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF which was released in 2020. The Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF is older and entered production in 2012.
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 7080 SFF as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.
Memory
The Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF has 4 RAM slots while the Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF has only 2 slot(s). Of course this is not something to worry about. Just make sure you take it into consideration when planning how much RAM will your system be using.
The Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF is using the faster 2933 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF is slower by supporting RAM speeds of only up to 1600 MT/s. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF as it has the ability to run 128 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF can do a bit less at max 8 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for most users.Ports
In total the Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF has 10 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF is inferior in this regard and packs 8 USB ports. What is nice about the Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF, is that it has 3 USB 3.1 port(s) which allows transfer of up to 10Gb/s. Unfortunately, the Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF has no such port, thus restricting your transfer speeds a bit.
Unfortunately, only the Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF has a DisplayPort. The Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF does not have one? Don't worry though, nowadays video adapters are cheap and you can get almost any combination of mode conversion.
The Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF comes with an HDMI port, while the Dell OptiPlex 7080 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 port 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 7080 SFF is better equipped as it comes with 3 SATA slot(s).
If you want the fastest transfer speeds for your SSD, an M.2 interface is crucial. Thus, if the M.2 SSD slot is a mandatory requirement for you, go with the Dell OptiPlex 7080 SFF. Sadly, the Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF has no such slot, and you will be forced to use the SATA interface instead.
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 7080 SFF comes with a decent 200 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF has a more powerful one rated at 240 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
