Fujitsu Esprimo E520 vs. Fujitsu Esprimo Q556

Comparison and Differences

Fujitsu_Esprimo_E520.jpg case front and back pannelFujitsu_Esprimo_Q556.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorSmallMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen4 i3/i5/i7; Pentium; CeleronIntel Gen6 i3/i5/i7; Pentium
ChipsetB85H110
Dedicated GPU *Radeon RX 6400 Low ProfileN.A.
RAMUDIMM DDR3-1600SODIMM DDR4-2133
RAM slots42
RAM speed1600 MT/s2133 MT/s
RAM max32 GB32 GB
USB ports(2x) USB-A 3.0; (6x) USB-A 2.0(2x) USB-A 3.0; (4x) USB-A 2.0
Video portsDVI; VGADisplayPort 1.2; DVI
Other portsRJ45; Headphones; (2x) Mic; Line in; Line out; PS/2; SerialRJ45; Headphones; Mic; Line out; (1x) PS/2
Optional portsParallel; eSATA; DisplayPortVGA
SATA ports42
PCI slotsPCIe 3.0 x16; (2x) PCIe 2.0 x1; PCIe 2.0 x16 (wired x4)N.A.
M.2 slotsN.A.M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 2.0 x2, SSD); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)
Drive bays(2x) 3.5in; 5.25 inch2.5in; 5.25 inch slim
PSU280 W65 W
Weight10.00 kg (24.00 lb)1.60 kg (3.53 lb)
Released20142015
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 Fujitsu Esprimo E520 and Fujitsu Esprimo Q556

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Fujitsu Esprimo Q556 which was released in 2015. The Fujitsu Esprimo E520 is older and entered production in 2014.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Fujitsu Esprimo Q556 is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Fujitsu Esprimo E520 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 Q556 as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Fujitsu Esprimo E520 is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

The Fujitsu Esprimo E520 has 4 RAM slots while the Fujitsu Esprimo Q556 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.

The Fujitsu Esprimo Q556 is using the faster 2133 MT/s RAM. The Fujitsu Esprimo E520 is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 1600 MT/s. 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

In total the Fujitsu Esprimo E520 has 8 USB ports. The Fujitsu Esprimo Q556 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. 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 Fujitsu Esprimo E520 is better equipped as it comes with 4 SATA slot(s), while the Fujitsu Esprimo Q556 has 2 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 Fujitsu Esprimo Q556. Sadly, the Fujitsu Esprimo E520 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 Q556 comes with a decent 65 Watt PSU, but the Fujitsu Esprimo E520 has a more powerful one rated at 280 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

Fujitsu_Esprimo_E520_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutFujitsu_Esprimo_Q556_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout