Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF vs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_9020_USFF.jpg case front and back pannelLenovo_ThinkCentre_M72e_Tiny.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorUltra SmallMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen4 i3/i5/i7; Intel Gen2&3 i3/i5; Celeron; Pentium;
ChipsetQ87H61
Dedicated GPU *N.A.N.A.
RAMDIMM DDR3-1600 SODIMM DDR3-1600
RAM slots22
RAM speed1600 MT/s1600 MT/s
RAM max16 GB16 GB
USB ports(4x) USB-A 3.0; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (4x)USB-A 3.0; USB-A 2.0; (Default 5x USB-A 2.0);
Video ports(2x) DisplayPort 1.2; VGA;DisplayPort; VGA;
Other portsRJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; Serial;RJ45; Hdph; Mic;
Optional portsN.A.USB-A 2.0; Serial; WiFi antenna;
SATA ports21
PCI slotsmPCIe (supports mSATA)N.A.
M.2 slotsM.2 2230 mSATA; M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)
Drive bays2.5in, 5.25in(slim)2.5in
PSU 200 W65 W
Weight3.30 kg (7.28 lb)1.3 kg (2.9 lb)
Released20132012
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 9020 USFF and Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF which was released in 2013. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny is older and entered production in 2012.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF 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 Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny 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.

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 16 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 Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF has 6 USB ports. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny is inferior in this regard and packs 5 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.

DisplayPort is crucial for any desktop machine. It is good to see that both models are featuring DisplayPorts. However, the Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF comes with 2 ports, while the Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny has only 1. If you are planning to use multiple monitors, the Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF is the better choice.

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 USFF is better equipped as it comes with 2 SATA slot(s), while the Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny has 1 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 9020 USFF. Sadly, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny 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 Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e Tiny comes with a decent 65 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF 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_9020_USFF_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutLenovo_ThinkCentre_M72e_Tiny_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout