Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT vs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro
Comparison and Differences
| Model | Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT | Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Mini Tower | Desktop |
| CPU options | Intel Gen2&3 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium; | Intel Gen4 i3/i5/i7; Pentium; |
| Chipset | Q77 | Q87 |
| Dedicated GPU * | GeForce GTX 1650 Super | GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile |
| RAM | DIMM DDR3-1333/1600 | DIMM DDR3-1600 |
| RAM slots | 4 | 4 |
| RAM speed | 1600 MT/s | 1600 MT/s |
| RAM max | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| USB ports | (4x)USB-A 3.0; (6x)USB-A 2.0; | (6x)USB-A 3.0; (2x)USB-A 2.0; |
| Video ports | (2x) DisplayPort 1.1; VGA; | (2x) DisplayPort; VGA; |
| Other ports | Serial; (2x) PS2; RJ45; Hdph; Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; | RJ45; Hdph; (2x) Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; Serial; |
| Optional ports | N.A. | (2x) PS2; Serial; Parallel; Media card reader (USB 2.0); |
| SATA ports | 4 | 4 |
| PCI slots | PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 2.0 x1; PCI; PCIe 2.0 x16 (wired x4); | PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe 2.0 x1; PCIe 2.0 x16 (wired x4); PCI; |
| M.2 slots | N.A. | N.A. |
| Drive bays | (2x) 3.5-inch/2.5-inch; (2x) 5.25-inch | 2.5-inch; 2.5/3.5-inch; 5.25-inch; |
| PSU | ATX 275 W | TFX 240 W |
| Weight | 9.4 kg (20.68 lb) | 7.8 kg (17.20 lb) |
| Released | 2012 | 2013 |
| Manual | link | link |
| Price** | Check Price | Check Price |
Differences between Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT and Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro
If a more modern desktop is what you are looking for, then you should go with the Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro which was released in 2013. The Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT is older and entered production in 2012.
If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT 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 Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.
Memory
RAM slots is where your insert your RAM sticks. Each of those two models has 4 RAM slot(s) which should be taken into account when planning how much and what combination of RAM you are going to need.
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
In total the Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT has 10 USB ports. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro is inferior in this regard and packs 8 USB ports. None of the desktop models has a USB 3.1 port (10Gb/s), so if you need a fast connection to your peripherals you will need to look at other models.
The DisplayPort is usually the more popular video port used with desktops and laptops, while the HDMI is used predominantly in consumer electronics. 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.
SATA slot is where SSD, HDD and Optical Disk Drives are connected. Each of the two models being compared have 4 SATA slots.
M.2 SSD interface allows you to transfer data with higher speeds compared to the old SATA. Unfortunately, neither the Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT, nor the Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro has one. However, you can still use a SATA SSD drive which should give you satisfactory performance.
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 Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p Small Pro comes with a decent 240 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT has a more powerful one rated at 275 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
