Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 vs. Dell XPS 8940

Comparison and Differences

Dell_OptiPlex_Tower_7020_2024.jpg case front and back pannel

Dell_XPS_8940.jpg case front and back pannel

Model
Form factor	Mini Tower	Mini Tower
CPU options	Intel Gen 12&13&14 i3/i5/i7;	Intel Gen10 & 11 i3/i5/i7;
Chipset	Q670	H470
Dedicated GPU *	GeForce GTX 1650 Super	GeForce RTX 3080
RAM	DIMM DDR5-5600	DIMM DDR4-2666/2933
RAM slots	2	4
RAM speed	5600 MT/s	2666 MT/s
RAM max	64 GB	128 GB
USB ports	(4x) USB-A 2.0; (4x) USB-A 3.0;	USB 3.0 Type C; USB 3.1 Type A; (2x) USB-A 2.0; (7x) USB-A 3.0;
Video ports	Display Port 1.4a; HDMI 1.4b;	HDMI 2.0; DisplayPort 1.4;
Other ports	RJ45(2.5GHz); Audio; Line-Out/In;	RJ45; Mic; Headset; Card Reader;
Optional ports	HDMI 2.1/Displayport/VGA; Serial	N.A.
SATA ports	3	3
PCI slots	PCIe 3.0 x16; (2x) PCIe 3.0 x1;	PCIe 3.0 x16; PCIe x4; PCIe x1;
M.2 slots	M.2 2230/2280 (PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT)	M.2 2280/2230 M-key (PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe); M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT);
Drive bays	3.5in; (2x) 2.5in; 5.25in (slim);	(3x) 3.5in;
PSU	180/300 W	500 W
Weight	6.37 kg (14.04 lb)	6.3 kg (13.89 lb)
Released	2024	2020
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 Tower 7020 2024 and Dell XPS 8940

If you are looking for a more modern desktop, then you should go with the Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 which was released in 2024. The Dell XPS 8940 is older and entered production in 2020.

Both models have the same form factor, meaning reoughtly they have the same phiysical size and form.

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 Tower 7020 2024 as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Dell XPS 8940 is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.

Memory

The Dell XPS 8940 has 4 RAM slots while the Dell OptiPlex Tower 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 Tower 7020 2024 is using the faster 5600 MT/s RAM. The Dell XPS 8940 is slower by supporting RAM speeds of up to 2666 MT/s. Additionally, if you will be needing a lot of RAM, better go for the Dell XPS 8940 as it has the ability to run 128 GB of RAM. The Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 can do a bit less at max 64 GB. Most of the times, this should be sufficient for the majority of users.

Ports

In total the Dell XPS 8940 has 10 USB ports. The Dell OptiPlex Tower 7020 2024 is inferior in this regard and packs 8 USB ports. In any case, if you miss USB ports, you can always purchase a USB hub. What is nice about the Dell XPS 8940, is that it has 1 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.

The DisplayPort is usually the more popular video port used with desktops and laptops, while the HDMI is used predominantly in consumer electronics. That's why, it is good to see that both of the models come with a DisplayPort.

In case your monitor supports HDMI only, you will be happy to hear that both models come with an HDMI port.

SATA slots are located on the motherboard and it is where SSD, HDD and Optical Disk Drives are connected. Each of the two models being compared have 3 SATA slot(s). Keep in mind that having too few SATA slots might limit your options for connecting additional memory drives.

When your goal is to have the fastest SSD transfer speeds, an M.2 interface is crucial. Thus, it is good that both models have M.2 SSD slots. Today M.2 SSDs are not much more expensive than the average SATA drives, so it really does not make sense to invest in SATA drives anymore.

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 Tower 7020 2024 comes with a decent 300 Watt PSU, but the Dell XPS 8940 has a more powerful one rated at 500 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.