Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF Review
The Dell OptiPlex 7040 packs 32GB of RAM into a tiny box, but its nearly decade-old processor makes it a tough sell in 2024. We dig into the data to see if it's still a viable budget PC.
The 30-Second Version
It's a refurbished office PC with a great amount of RAM and a fast SSD, but it's built around a very old, slow CPU. Good for basic tasks only. Not worth it for anyone needing modern performance.
Overview
The Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF is a refurbished business desktop from the mid-2010s. It's a small-form-factor PC built for office cubicles, not gaming dens. For around $400, you're getting a lot of RAM and a decent SSD, but you're also buying a nearly decade-old processor.
Performance
The Intel Core i5-6500 is the weak link here. Its 6th percentile ranking means it's slower than almost every modern desktop CPU in our database. The integrated AMD graphics are fine for basic video output, but that's it. The 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD are the real stars, making this feel snappy for everyday tasks despite the old CPU.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 32GB of RAM is a huge amount for the price. 95th
- 1TB SSD provides fast boot and load times. 72th
- Small form factor saves desk space. 69th
- Comes with Windows 10 Pro.
Cons
- The 6th-gen i5 CPU is very old and slow by today's standards. 7th
- No upgrade path for the graphics beyond the basic integrated chip. 17th
- Port selection is limited (22nd percentile). 20th
- It's a refurbished unit, so warranty and longevity are unknowns.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| Cores | 4 |
| Frequency | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM | 48 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR6 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 32 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR4 |
| Storage | 1 TB |
Build
| Form Factor | SFF |
System
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
Value & Pricing
At $400, the value is a mixed bag. You get a ton of RAM and a good SSD, which are expensive upgrades. But you're paying that money to wrap them around a very outdated processor. For basic web browsing and office work, it's okay. If you need any sort of modern computing power, you're better off spending your money elsewhere.
vs Competition
Don't compare this to the gaming desktops listed as competitors, like the HP Omen or Alienware Aurora. That's like comparing a golf cart to a sports car. For a similar price, you could look at newer refurbished business PCs with 8th or 10th gen Intel chips, which will have much better CPU performance. Or, if you need a small PC, a modern Intel NUC or mini PC with a newer chip will run circles around this for general tasks.
| Spec | Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF | HP OmniDesk HP - OmniDesk Desktop - Intel Core Ultra 7 265 | Lenovo A Series Lenovo - Yoga AIO 27" All-In-One - Intel Core | GMKtec Mini PC GMKtec Gaming PC AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS(8C/16T, Up to | ASUS Mini PC Asus NUC 15 Pro Plus RNUC15CRSU7089AU Desktop | Minisforum Mini PC MINISFORUM M1 Pro Mini PC Core Ultra 5 Processor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS | Intel Core Ultra 7 | Apple M1 Pro |
| RAM (GB) | 32 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 32 | 64 |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 1024 | 1000 | 2048 | 1024 | 2048 |
| GPU | AMD Graphics | Intel Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics 780M | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics |
| Form Factor | SFF | Desktop | aio | Mini | Mini | Mini |
| Psu W | - | 280 | 170 | 120 | 120 | - |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | No OS, Support Windows |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Storage | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF | 7.2 | 95 | 68.8 | 16.9 | 53.9 | 71.9 | 19.5 |
| HP OmniDesk OmniDesk Compare | 89.7 | 46.6 | 59.6 | 99.1 | 66.1 | 71.9 | 98.4 |
| Lenovo A Series 27" Compare | 69.9 | 52.2 | 62.4 | 93.2 | 59.3 | 71.9 | 98.4 |
| GMKtec Mini PC GMKtec Compare | 69.7 | 86.2 | 88.5 | 74.7 | 93.1 | 13.1 | 96.6 |
| ASUS Mini PC NUC 15 Pro Plus Compare | 69.9 | 52.2 | 79.5 | 80 | 66.1 | 41.2 | 88.1 |
| Minisforum Mini PC M1 Pro Mini PC Core Ultra 5 Processor 125H Barebone Without Storage/OS Compare | 53.8 | 52.2 | 97.5 | 60.5 | 87.7 | 13.1 | 93.4 |
Common Questions
Q: Can it be upgraded to Windows 11?
Officially, no. It lacks the required TPM 2.0 security chip. You might find workarounds, but it's not supported and could be unstable.
Q: Does it have a DVD drive?
No, this model does not include an optical drive. The listing highlights 'NO DVD-ROM' for a reason.
Q: What does 'Renewed' mean?
Renewed means it's a professionally refurbished used product. It's been tested and cleaned to work like new, but it's not a brand-new machine.
Who Should Skip This
Gamers, video editors, or anyone who needs a PC for demanding software should skip this immediately. The CPU is too weak. Also, skip it if you need modern connectivity like multiple monitors or the latest USB ports. This is a machine for a very specific, basic need.
Verdict
Buy this only if you need a basic, compact PC for light office work, web browsing, or as a terminal, and your budget is absolutely locked at $400. The RAM and SSD are great, but the ancient CPU severely limits what this machine can do now or in the future.