Dell Vostro 360 AIO
Specification and Upgrade Options
The Dell Vostro 360 AIO is a compact small business desktop engineered for space-constrained offices and users who value desk real estate. First brought to market in 2012, it features the H61 chipset, supporting 2th gen Intel Core processors and up to 8GB of SO-DIMM DDR3-1333 memory. Despite its small footprint, it remains a capable daily driver that can even support a low-profile graphics card for enhanced visual performance.
The Small Form Factor (SFF) is an in-between model. It has less space for the larger form factors (Mid tower, Mini tower, and Desktop), but it is still easily upgradable. Usually the SFF come with 2x PCIe slots, so fitting a low profile graphics card is possible.
Can you upgrade Dell Vostro 360 AIO to play games?
Yes, you can upgrade Dell Vostro 360 AIO for gaming with better processors, graphics card, memory, and storage devices. However, like many other business pre-built PCs, this model may have proprietary elements like the power supply, the chassis or the power connector, which can make it difficult for users to install aftermarket PSUs to support better GPUs. You can also find that there is space constrains inside the chassis, making it difficult to accommodete larger GPU to boost the gaming performance.
Does Dell Vostro 360 AIO support Windows 11?
No, Dell Vostro 360 AIO does not meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements. According to Windows 11 specification, all models with Intel 7th Gen CPU or older are not officially supported. Processor with TPM 2.0 and a UEFI Secure boot BIOS is also required in order to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 through Windows Update.
However, anyone with PC that does not pass the upgrade test can download the official Windows 11 ISO, make a bootable flash drive, and install the OS manually.
Processor
The Dell Vostro 360 AIO supports Gen2 Intel Core technology on a H61 chipset. 2nd generation Intel Core CPUs (Sandy Bridge) vary widely in performance depending on the specific model. Lower-end CPUs are best suited for office productivity, basic computer programming, and lightweight home lab use. Higher-end quad-core i7 models can handle basic virtualization, small homelab setups, and entry-level emulation, while gaming is limited to older or less demanding titles even when paired with a modern GPU.
Best CPUs for Dell Vostro 360 AIO upgrade:
| Model | Cores (Threads) | Base frequency | Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 2500 | 4(8) | 3.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Core i7 2600 | 4(8) | 3.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Core i7 2700K | 4(8) | 3.5 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
GPU upgrade
To upgrade the GPU of OptiPlex 7040 SFF, a low-power, low-profile graphics card must be used. Currently, the most reasonable GPU option is AMD's Radeon RX 6400 low profile. This model has a good price point, delivers decent FPS, and does not require any addtional hardware upgrades.
The low power requirements of this model make it the perfect option for an SFF gaming build. The RX 6400 low does not need any additional power from the PSU and can rely solely on the power delivered by the PCIe slot (75W).
GPU upgrade options for Dell Vostro 360 AIO with the stock 180W power supply:
| GPU | Power consumption | Memory | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX 6400 Low profile | 50 W | 4 GB DDR6 | Works with no additional hardware changes |
| GTX 1050 Ti Low profile | 75 W | 4 GB DDR5 | Works with no additional hardware changes |
| GTX 1650 Low profile | 75 W | 4 GB DDR5 | Works with no additional hardware changes |
| RTX A2000 Low profile | 70 W | 6 GB DDR6 12 GB DDR6 |
Works with no additional hardware changes |
Keep in mind that these low-profile, low-power GPUs can be quite noisy and may run hot when under full load.
Memory
Dell Vostro 360 AIO supports up to 8 GB of SO-DIMM DDR3-1333 RAM across two DIMM slots, with memory speeds up to 1333 MT/s and dual-channel support depending on the installed configuration.
Actual supported memory capacity and memory channels may vary depending on the installed CPU and chipset.
Typical Dell Vostro 360 AIO memory configurations include 8 GB for everyday productivity and 16 GB for gaming, heavier multitasking, or professional workloads.
Wi-Fi Support
Dell Vostro 360 AIO doesn't come with any on-board Wi-Fi support. In that case, you have two options to upgrade this model with Wi-Fi. You either use an external USB Wi-Fi adapter (wireless network dongle) or a PCIe-based wireless adapter.
The USB dongle is much more convenient and easy to install, but has less space for a decent antenna and can have thermal problems. On the other hand, the PCIe based adapter is much more powerful, more reliable, and has better antenna, but it is harder to install.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless adapter upgrades for Dell Vostro 360 AIO:
| Model | Speed | Frequency | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi 6E (Gig+) Kit | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Rekong AX210 | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Gigabyte GC-Wbax200 | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer TX50E | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer T9UH | 1300 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | USB 3.0 |
Ports
Dell Vostro 360 AIO provides a fixed set of external I/O ports for connecting peripherals and displays. Port availability and versions determine supported data transfer speeds and display capabilities.
USB ports
Dell Vostro 360 AIO includes six USB ports in total in the following configuration - (2x)USB-A 2.0; (4x)USB-A 3.0; with no USB 3.1 ports available.
Video ports
Dell Vostro 360 AIO does not include a DisplayPort output.
No HDMI output is available on the motherboard.
Motherboard video outputs require a CPU with integrated graphics. Systems equipped with a dedicated GPU must use the video ports on the graphics card instead.
SSD storage - M.2 sockets and SATA ports
The Dell Vostro 360 AIO comes with two SATA port(s) for connecting storage devices.
Unfortunately, the Dell Vostro 360 AIO has no M.2 PCIe soket and you have to rely on the available SATA ports to connect your drives.
The M.2 PCIe SSD connector in combination with an NVMe drive allows for higher transfer rates, compared to the old SATA interface. In some situations, NVMe device connected to the M.2 PCIe socket can be more than 5 times faster.
*Keep in mind that some M.2 connectors may not support SATA SSDs. Check the motherboard manual to confirm compatibility.
Power Supply
The Dell Vostro 360 AIO comes with a 180 Watt PSU. Having a power supply with high power rating is important, especially if you are doing upgrade with addtional components, like dedicated GPU and more HDDs. Will this 180 W be enough, it all depends on your specific use. Please keep in mind that some models might have more than one PSU option. Whenever possible get the most powerful one, as it might make future upgrades easier.

