Dell OptiPlex 7040 Series (SFF) Review

The Dell OptiPlex 7040 Series is a small form factor (SFF) computer that can pack quite the power punch per square inch. The OptiPlex 7040 comes equipped with the latest sixth generation Intel Core Processor. The OptiPlex 7040 is offered in two form factors: the mini tower and the SFF. Both of these form factors have been scaled down from the previous models. For our review we will be looking at the SFF.

Like several of Dell’s products, the OptiPlex 7040 Series is highly customizable. For the SFF, there is up to 16GB in memory, CPUs up to a quad core i7-6700, multiple drive options including PCIe NVMe SSD with up to 512GB of capacity. The NVMe SSDs one can choose from include Samsung’s NVMe SSDs, which are far and away some of the best performing NVMe SSDs we have tested. The desktop is designed for businesses of all sizes and comes with BIOS setting and system configurations that can be manipulated to fit the user’s specific IT requirements. Dell also enables users to keep their BIOS and system configurations flexible with its Client Command Suite of free tools. Administrators can remotely manage the desktop with optional Intel vPro technology, plus Dell’s unique capabilities for out-of-band BIOS management.

While businesses need both performance and flexibility, there is a big concern for security. To this end, Dell is claiming the best security “right out of the box.” With Dell Data Protection, OptiPlex users can expect centralized remote management and encryption, authentication options, secure credential storage, the ability to stop even advanced forms of malware, and single console security.

Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF specifications:

• CPU options:
  • Intel Core i5-6500 Processor (Quad Core, 6MB, 4T, 3.2GHz, 65W)
  • Intel Core i5-6600 Processor (Quad Core, 6MB, 4T, 3.3GHz, 65W)
• Operating system options:
  • Windows 10 Pro, 64bit
• Memory options:
  • 8GB (2x4G) 2133MHz DDR4 Memory
  • 16GB (2x8G) 2133MHz DDR4 Memory
• Hard Drive options:
  • M.2 512GB PCIe NVMe Class 40 SSD
• GPU options:
  • Intel Integrated Graphics
• Optical Drive options:
  • 8x DVD+/-RW 9.5mm Optical Disk Drive         
  • 8x DVD-ROM 9.5mm Optical Disk Drive
  • No Optical Disk Drive
• Ports:
  • 6 USB 3.0 (2 front/4 rear-1 with PowerShare)
  • 4 USB 2.0 (2 front/2 rear-1 front with PowerShare)
  • 1 Internal USB 3.0 with smart power on
  • 1 RJ-45
  • 1 P2/Serial
  • 2 Display Port 1.2
  • 1 HDMI
  • 1 UAJ
  • 1 Line-out
  • 1 VGA (optional)
• Slots:
  • 1 half height PCIe x16
  • 1 half height PCIe x4
  • 1 M.2 (22x80mm)
• Dimensions
  • Height: 11.4″ (29 cm)
  • Width: 11.5″ (29.2 cm)
  • Depth: 3.6″ (9.26 cm)
  • Weight: 2.82lbs (1.28kg)
• Warranty: 3-Year Hardware Service with Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis

Design and Build

The Dell OptiPlex 7040 Series SFF is a very small desktop computer; in fact, it could easily be placed on a desktop next to a monitor and not take up too much room. It could also be turned on its side and placed under a monitor–more akin to how computers were set up in the early-to-mid 1990s. The front of the computer is predominately taken up by ventilation. In the upper right hand corner, there is the Dell branding, four USB ports (2 x 2.0 and 2 x 3.0), an optical drive, and the power button.

One side of the computer has rubber feet so users can, as stated above, turn the device on its side.

The rear of the computer is a quasi-reflection of the front, with the same amount of real estate taken up by ventilation. The left-hand corner that isn’t ventilation is filled with ports including an HDMI port, two DisplayPorts, a serial port, a keyboard and mouse port, 4 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and a RJ45 port. Near the bottom of the computer is a DVI-I dual link port next to another DisplayPort, with the power port beneath them.