Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF vs. Fujitsu Esprimo G6012

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_3040_SFF.jpg case front and back pannelFujitsu_Esprimo_G6012.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmallMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen6 i3/i5; Pentium; Celeron; Intel Gen12 i3/i5/i7; Pentium; Celeron
ChipsetH110B660
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GT 1030 Low ProfileN.A.
RAMDIMM DDR3L-1600 SODIMM DDR4-3200
RAM slots22
RAM speed1600 MT/s3200 MT/s
RAM max16 GB64 GB
USB ports(4x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0; (2x) USB-A 3.0; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (2x) USB-A 3.1; (2x) USB-C 3.1 (DP 1.4)
Video portsDisplay Port 1.2; HDMI 1.4;DisplayPort 1.4; HDMI 2.1
Other portsRJ45; Headset; Line-Out; RJ45; Headset
Optional portsSerial+PS2; VGA; Media Card Reader;HDMI 2.1; DP 1.4a; Serial
SATA ports22
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 3.0 x1; N.A.
M.2 slotsN.A.M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)
Drive bays3.5in/2.5in; 5.25in (slim); 2.5in; 5.25 inch (ODD version)
PSU180 W90 W
Weight6.1 kg (13.45 lb)1.02 kg (2.60 lb)
Released20152022
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 3040 SFF and Fujitsu Esprimo G6012

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Fujitsu Esprimo G6012 which was released in 2022. The Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF is older and entered production in 2015.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Fujitsu Esprimo G6012 is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF and will fit more easily under your desk.

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 Fujitsu Esprimo G6012 as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

Both models have have equal amount of ram slots (2 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.

The Fujitsu Esprimo G6012 is using the faster 3200 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 1600 MT/s. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Fujitsu Esprimo G6012 as it has the ability to run 64 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF can do a bit less at max 16 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for the majority of users.

Ports

Both models have the same amount of USB ports for total count of 8. If this is not enough, using a USB hub is always a viable option. What is nice about the Fujitsu Esprimo G6012, is that it has 4 USB 3.1 port(s) which allows transfer of up to 10Gb/s. Unfortunately, the Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF has no such port, thus restricting your transfer speeds significantly. For people who want to use external drives on regular basis, this might be an issue.

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.

In case your monitor supports HDMI only, you will be happy to hear that both models come with an HDMI port.

SATA slots are located on the motherboard and it is where SSD, HDD and Optical Disk Drives are connected. Each of the two models being compared have 2 SATA slot(s). Keep in mind that having too few SATA slots might limit your options for connecting additional memory drives.

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 Fujitsu Esprimo G6012. Sadly, the Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF has no such slot, and you will be forced to use the SATA interface instead.

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 Fujitsu Esprimo G6012 comes with a decent 90 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF has a more powerful one rated at 180 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_3040_SFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutFujitsu_Esprimo_G6012_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout