Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 vs. Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_M_Plus_7020_2024.jpg case front and back pannel

Dell_OptiPlex_Tower_7020_2024.jpg case front and back pannel

Model
Form factor	Micro	Mini Tower
CPU options	Intel Gen 12&13&14 i3/i5/i7/i9;	Intel Gen 12&13&14 i3/i5/i7;
Chipset	Q670	Q670
Dedicated GPU *	N.A.	GeForce GTX 1650 Super
RAM	SODIMM DDR5-5600	DIMM DDR5-5600
RAM slots	2	2
RAM speed	5600 MT/s	5600 MT/s
RAM max	64 GB	64 GB
USB ports	USB-A 3.0; (3x) USB-A 3.1; USB-C 3.2;	(4x) USB-A 2.0; (4x) USB-A 3.0;
Video ports	(3x) Display Port 1.4a;	Display Port 1.4a; HDMI 1.4b;
Other ports	RJ45; Audio; Line-Out/In;	RJ45(2.5GHz); Audio; Line-Out/In;
Optional ports	HDMI 2.0b/Displayport/VGA/PS2/serial/USB Type-C;	HDMI 2.1/Displayport/VGA; Serial
SATA ports	0	3
PCI slots	N.A.	PCIe 3.0 x16; (2x) PCIe 3.0 x1;
M.2 slots	(2x) M.2 2230/2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)	M.2 2230/2280 (PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)
Drive bays	N.A.	3.5in; (2x) 2.5in; 5.25in (slim);
PSU	130/180 W	180/300 W
Weight	1.36kg (3.00 lb)	6.37 kg (14.04 lb)
Released	2024	2024
Manual	link	link
Price**	Check Price	Check 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 Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 and Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024

Both computers, the Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 and the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024, were released during the same year - 2024.

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 Tower 7020 2024 and will fit more easily under your desk.

Processor

The two models have the same generation of Intel processors. We think that the 14 generation of Intel Processors have enough power to execute all of the home and office tasks that most people will care to do.

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 5600. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 64 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 Tower 7020 2024 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 Tower 7020 2024 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 Tower 7020 2024 has only 1. If you are planning to use multiple monitors, the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 is the better choice.

The Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 comes with an HDMI port, while the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 does not support the interface. Of course missing HDMI port is something that can be easily fixed with a good adapter (e.g. DisplayPort to HDMI).

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 Tower 7020 2024 is better equipped as it comes with 3 SATA slot(s), while the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 has 0 slot(s).

An M.2 SSD can be several times faster than a SATA one. Thus, we are happy to see that both models support the M.2 interface. However, the Dell OptiPlex M Plus 7020 2024 has 1 M.2 slots while the Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 comes with just 1.

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 Tower 7020 2024 has a more powerful one rated at 300 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.