Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT vs. Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_9020_MT.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_9020_SFF.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorMini TowerSmall
CPU optionsIntel Gen4 i3/i5/i7; Intel Gen4 i3/i5/i7;
ChipsetQ87Q87
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GTX 1660 SuperGeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile
RAMDIMM DDR3-1600 DIMM DDR3-1600
RAM slots44
RAM speed1600 MT/s1600 MT/s
RAM max32 GB32 GB
USB ports(4x) USB-A 3.0; (6x) USB-A 2.0; (4x) USB-A 3.0; (6x) USB-A 2.0;
Video ports(2x) DisplayPort 1.2; VGA;(2x) DisplayPort 1.2; VGA;
Other portsRJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; Serial; (2x) PS2; RJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; Serial; (2x) PS2;
Optional portsN.A.N.A.
SATA ports43
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe x1; PCIe x16(wired x4); PCI; PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe x16 (wired x4);
M.2 slotsN.A.N.A.
Drive bays(2x) 2.5/3.5in; (2x) 5.25 inch2.5/3.5in; 5.25in(slim)
PSU ATX 290 W 255 W
Weight9.40 kg (20.72 lb)6.00 kg (13.22 lb)
Released20132013
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 9020 MT and Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF

Both computers, the Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT and the Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF, were released during the same year - 2013.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT and will fit more easily under your desk.

Processor

The two models have the same generation of Intel processors. We think that the 4 generation of Intel Processors have enough power to execute all of the home and office tasks that most people will care to do.

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.

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 1600. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 32 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. None of the desktop models has a USB 3.1 port (10Gb/s), so if you need a fast connection to your peripherals, like external Solid State Drive, you will need to look elsewhere.

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 9020 MT is better equipped as it comes with 4 SATA slot(s), while the Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF has 3 slot(s).

M.2 SSD interface allows you to transfer data with higher speeds compared to the old SATA interface. Unfortunately, neither the Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT, nor the Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF has one. However, you can still use a SATA SSD drive which should give you satisfactory performance.

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 9020 SFF comes with a decent 255 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT has a more powerful one rated at 290 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_9020_MT_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_9020_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout