Dell OptiPlex 980 DT vs. Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_980_DT.jpg case front and back pannelDell_OptiPlex_M_Plus_7020_2024.jpg case front and back pannel
Model
Form factorDesktopMicro
CPU optionsIntel Gen1 i3/i5/i7; Pentium Dual Core;Intel Gen 12&13&14 i3/i5/i7/i9;
ChipsetQ57 Q670
Dedicated GPU *GeForce GTX 1650 Low ProfileN.A.
RAMDIMM DDR3-1060/1333SODIMM DDR5-5600
RAM slots42
RAM speed1333 MT/s5600 MT/s
RAM max16 GB64 GB
USB ports(8x)USB-A 2.0; USB-A 3.0; (3x) USB-A 3.1; USB-C 3.2;
Video portsDisplayPort 1.2; VGA;(3x) Display Port 1.4a;
Other portsRJ45; Hdph; (2x) Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; PS2/COM; Serial; Parallel; eSATARJ45; Audio; Line-Out/In;
Optional portsN.A.HDMI 2.0b/Displayport/VGA/PS2/serial/USB Type-C;
SATA ports40
PCI slotsPCIe 2.0 x16; PCIe 2.0 x4;N.A.
M.2 slotsN.A.(2x) M.2 2230/2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)
Drive bays(2x)3.5in; 5.25in;N.A.
PSU255 W130/180 W
Weight8.30 kg (18.29 lb)1.36kg (3.00 lb)
Released20102024
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 980 DT and Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 which was released in 2024. The Dell OptiPlex 980 DT is older and entered production in 2010.

If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Dell OptiPlex 980 DT 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 M Plus 7020 2024 as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell OptiPlex 980 DT is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

The Dell OptiPlex 980 DT has 4 RAM slots while the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 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 Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 is using the faster 5600 MT/s RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 980 DT is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 1333 MT/s. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 as it has the ability to run 64 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex 980 DT can do a bit less at max 16 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for the majority of users.

Ports

In total the Dell OptiPlex 980 DT has 8 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 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. What is nice about the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024, is that it has 3 USB 3.1 port(s) which allows transfer of up to 10Gb/s. Unfortunately, the Dell OptiPlex 980 DT 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.

DisplayPort is crucial for any desktop machine. It is good to see that both models are featuring DisplayPorts. However, the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 comes with 3 ports, while the Dell OptiPlex 980 DT has only 1. If you are planning to use multiple monitors, the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 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 980 DT is better equipped as it comes with 4 SATA slot(s), while the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 has 0 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 M Plus 7020 2024. Sadly, the Dell OptiPlex 980 DT 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 Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 comes with a decent 180 Watt PSU, but the Dell OptiPlex 980 DT has a more powerful one rated at 255 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_980_DT_motherboard.jpg motherboard layoutDell_OptiPlex_M_Plus_7020_2024_motherboard.jpg motherboard layout