Dell Optiplex 7010 Review: An Efficient Business Desktop PC

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Dell Optiplex 7010: At First Glance

The Dell Optiplex 7010 desktop is designed to fit seamlessly in an office or home environment. It is an ideal computer for performing basic computing tasks such as internet browsing, processing documents, watching videos, etc.

As expected, Dell Optiplex 7010 ships with some essential peripherals such as a keyboard and a mouse. However, you need to purchase a monitor separately.

As of the time we published this review, the Dell Optiplex 7010 starts at a budget-friendly price of $194. The price of the Dell Optiplex 7010 is significantly less than the cost of a laptop with similar specifications.

Having hinted on what the Dell Optiplex 7010 has in stock, let’s get into the details.

Dell Optiplex 7010: Design, Dimension & Weight

The Dell Optiplex 7010 is solidly built with a metal chassis. It is available in black and silver hue.

Its solid metallic build gives the Dell Optiplex 7010 an assurance of durability and reliability for long-term usage.

Dell offers Optiplex 7010 desktops in different size formats. The desktop is available in four form factors.

The largest size model is the “Mini Tower” which measures 175 x 417 x 360 mm and weighs 9400g. Next on the list of size models is the “Desktop” which measures 102 x 410 x 360 mm and weighs 7900g.

The “Desktop” size model of the Dell Optiplex 7010 is followed closely by the “Small Form Factor”. The “Small Form Factor” model measures 92.6 x 312 x 290 mm and weighs 6000g.

Lastly, the smallest sized model of the Dell Optiplex 7010 is known as the “Ultra Small Form Factor”. It measures  65 x 240 x 236.7 mm and weighs 3300g.

The model I’m reviewing in this article is the “Small Form Factor”. The “Small Form Factor model of Optiplex 7010 is a portable and versatile computer.

Despite its compact design, it is a capable computer that delivers sufficient performance for basic computing productivity tasks. 

Moving on, I will give a close description of what the Dell Optiplex 7010 looks like. To deliver on this, I’ll start with the description of the front chassis while it is positioned vertically.

Additionally, you can place the Dell Optiplex 7010 Small Form Factor model on top of a table or under the table. Likewise, you can position it vertically or horizontally.

Speaking of the front chassis, it has enough openings for proper ventilation. These openings occupy most part of the front chassis leaving just enough space for a DVD slot, power button, and ports.

Specifically, Dell positioned the power button at the top left corner of the front chassis. Immediately below the power button, you’ll find the DVD drive which also has an ejector button.

Next to the DVD drive, you’ll find an array of ports lined side-by-side in a two-column layout. The first row of this layout has a microphone connector by the left and a headphone connector by the right.

The second row houses two USB 3.0 ports, one by the left and the other by the right. Also, the bottom row has a pair of USB 2.0 ports, one by the left and the other by the right.

Speaking of the USB 2.0 ports, you can use them for connecting other peripherals like the keyboard, a wireless USB mouse, or a wired mouse. Moreover, you can use USB 2.0 ports for connecting flash drives.

You can also use USB 3.0 to connect peripherals like flash drives and external mice. However, USB 3.0 ports offer file transfers. 

Like I mentioned earlier, other than the spaces occupied by the components I have discussed – the remaining parts of the front chassis are occupied by ventilation openings. Therefore, the ventilation openings occupy the entire space below the port layouts and a small region by the side.

As an aesthetic touch to the design of the Dell Optiplex 7010, there’s a dell logo on top of the ventilation openings. The logo is at the left-hand side of the chassis just below the port layout.

Having discussed the front view of the Dell Optiplex 7010, let’s move to the back view while positioned vertically. In addition to the ports on the front chassis, the back chassis of the Dell Optiplex 7010 contains more ports.

Firstly, at the top-left corner of the back chassis is a colorful two-column layout containing a decent number of ports. The colorful layout occupies about 50% width and 50% height of the entire back chassis.

The first row of the layout has a PS2 keyboard connector by the left column. Also, it has a PS2 mouse connector by the right column.

The second row has a VGA connector by the left column and a serial connector by the right column. The third and fourth row only has their left columns occupied by a DisplayPort connector each.

The fifth row has its left column occupied by a pair of USB 2.0 connectors. Also, the right column has an RJ45 Ethernet connector.

The sixth row has another pair of USB 2.0 ports by the left column. Additionally, it has a pair of USB 3.0 ports by the right column.

Moving on, the final row of the layout has a line-in Microphone connector by the left column. In addition, it has a line-out connector by the right column.

Next to the colorful layout is a region of ventilation openings. Similar to the colorful layout, it also occupies about 50% height and 50% width of the entire back chassis.

However, at the right edge of the back chassis, next to the ventilation openings, you’ll find the Kensington lock slot. Below the first section that has the colorful port layout and the ventilation openings, you’ll find two expansion card slots.

Lastly, the bottom section of the back chassis also has a small region of ventilation openings. The right-hand side of these openings has a power supply diagnostic button and light.

Additionally, towards the center of the ventilation openings, you’ll find the power connector.

Moving on to the other peripherals, the Dell Optiplex 7010 that I reviewed shipped with a wireless mechanical keyboard. The keyboard is full-sized and it also features a numbers pad.

The keys have a comfortable feel, with a deep key travel and enough force of actuation. Overall, the keyboard delivers a comfortable typing experience.

Let’s talk about the mouse. The mouse that shipped with the Dell Optiplex 7010 is not the sleekest or the most compact mouse out there.

However, when I put the mouse to test, it was able to get the job done. It features two click buttons and a scroll wheel that works together to deliver a sufficient performance.

Finally, you need a monitor to actually get work done on a desktop. The Dell Optiplex 7010 model I reviewed didn’t ship with a monitor.

Nevertheless, for an additional cost, you can get models that ship with monitors. However, you can purchase the desktop without a monitor – then buy a monitor separately.

I was able to test my review model with a 24-inch monitor and overall, it delivers a satisfying experience. In conclusion, I will rate the Dell Optiplex 7010 an eight for its strong and durable build quality.

Dell Optiplex 7010: Processor (CPU) Performance 

The Dell OptiPlex 7010 has a number of processor configurations. The baseline model has a dual-core Intel Celeron G540 with a base frequency of 2.50GHz and a 2MB cache memory. 

Next, is the mid-range model with a dual-core Intel Core i3-3240 processor. The Core i3 processor has a base frequency of 3.40 GHz and 3MB cache memory.

Lastly, is the high-end configuration with a dual-core Intel Core i7-3770 processor. This processor has a cache memory of 8 MB. Additionally, it has a base frequency of 3.40 Hz and a boost frequency of 3.90 GHz it also.

The model I reviewed shipped with a Core i7-3770 processor. It is a quad-core processor, therefore it had no problem with running programs like Microsoft Office and similar programs.

Impressively, the Dell 7010 is an ideal workstation. It will efficiently perform tasks such as internet surfing, watching movies, or even playing games that don’t require much computing power. 

Additionally, the processor also comes in handy for photo rendering. However, you should not expect a perfectly smooth performance when running programs such as Photoshop. 

To assess the processor performance, I performed a geekbench benchmark test. Based on the result of the test, the Dell Optiplex 7010 scored 12190 points.

Consequently, the performance of the Dell Optiplex 7010 in the geekbench test is impressive. It surpasses the PassMark score of 9302 points.

Finally, I’ll rate the processor performance of the dell Optiplex 7010 an eight.

Dell Optiplex 7010: Memory (RAM) Performance

The Dell Optiplex 7010 desktop supports DDR3 RAM. The 3 largest size formats of the Optiplex 7010 – Mini Tower, Desktop, and Small Form Factor – have 4 RAM slots.

Additionally, they can take a maximum capacity of 8 GB RAM. In contrast, the smallest size format – Ultra Small Form Factor – has 2 RAM slots.

Furthermore, the Ultra Small Form Factor models can take a maximum capacity of 4 GB RAM.

The Small Form Factor model of the Dell Optiplex 7010 I reviewed shipped with an 8 GB RAM. 8 GB is a sufficient RAM capacity, it enables the Operating system and applications to load faster.

The unit I reviewed was also able to perform a decent amount of multitasking. To illustrate the desktop’s multitasking ability, I opened about 10 browser tabs – some of the tabs were streaming youtube videos.

I was also typing a document in Microsoft Word while Excel and PowerPoint were running in the background. However, despite these activities running at the same time, the Dell Optiplex 7010 did not slow down at all.

In the geekbench test I performed, the memory performance of the Dell Optiplex 7010 was an impressive 8126 points.

In conclusion, I’ll rate the RAM performance of the Dell Optiplex 7010 a seven.

Dell Optiplex 7010: Storage Options & Performance

The Dell Optiplex 7010 supports two types of storage. You can get a model with a 2.5 inch 7200 RPM SATA HDD which can take up to 500 GB.

Additionally, you can also get a 3.5-inch 7200 RPM SATA HDD with a maximum capacity of 1 TB. The model I reviewed shipped with 320 GB of storage space.

In my opinion, 320 GB of storage capacity is too limited, especially for a desktop workstation. Notwithstanding, 320 GB might be sufficient to store basic office programs and files used for daily tasks.

However, for users that need more storage spaces, the good news is that there are other models with better-configured storage capacities.

The Dell Optiplex 7010 also supports a MicroSD card for external storage expansion. However, the MicroSD card slot is only available in the Mini Tower and Desktop size form factors.

Therefore, the Optiplex 7010 model I reviewed has no MicroSD card slot since it is a Small Form Factor model.

To determine the storage performance of the model I tested, I performed a CrystalDiskMark test. Based on the test result, the Dell Optiplex 7010 recorded a sequential read speed of 104.3 MBps.

Additionally, it recorded a sequential write speed of 101.1 MBps. Consequently, the transfer rate of the HDD is quite impressive.

As a result of its impressive storage performance, I’ll rate it a seven in this aspect.

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Dell Optiplex 7010: Graphics Card Performance

The Dell Optiplex 7010 desktop comes in various graphics configurations. You can get a variant with Integrated HD Graphics which has a base frequency of 850 MHz.

In addition, the integrated HD graphics also has a boost frequency of 1000 MHz.

Furthermore, another configuration is the Intel HD Graphics 2500. The Graphics 2500 has a base frequency of 650 MHz and a boost frequency of 1050 MHz.

Also, another configuration is the Intel HD Graphics 4000. It has a base frequency of 650 MHz and a boost frequency of 1150 MHz.

The Dell Optiplex 7010 also supports dedicated graphics cards such as AMD RADEON HD 7570. The AMD graphics card has a 1 GB VRAM.

Another dedicated graphics configuration is the AMD RADEON HD 7470 which also has 1 GB dedicated VRAM.

Dell equipped the model I reviewed with the integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500. With this GPU, the Dell Optiplex 7010 was able to play videos, play light games and perform light photo editing.

However, to perform more graphical-intensive tasks, there’s an empty PCI-Express x16 slot. You can use the PCI-Express slot to upgrade the graphics card.

To test the gaming performance of the model I reviewed, I played games like Assasin’s Creed, GTA 3, and Bioshock. These games ran at between 20-30 fps however, sometimes they don’t play well at all.

The poor gaming performance of the Optiplex 7010 isn’t surprising considering that Dell didn’t design it as a gaming computer. However, upgrading the GPU enables the desktop to play more intensive game titles at satisfying frame rates.

For graphics upgradability, Dell has recommended some dedicated graphics cards for each of the Dell Optiplex 7010 models. Nonetheless, users are advised not to upgrade beyond the recommendations.

As recommended, the Mini Tower and Desktop models can take up to a GeForce GTX 1650 super graphics card. The GTX 1650 has 4 GB GDDR6 memory.

Also, the Small Form Factor model can take up to a Geforce GTX 1650 low profile graphics card.

Finally, the Ultra Small Form Factor models can take up to a GeForce GTX 1030 low-profile graphics card. The GTX 1030 has 2 GB GDDR5 memory.

To illustrate the performance of a Dell Optiplex 7010 with an upgraded GPU, I performed a 3DMark test. I upgraded the GPU of the Small Form Factor model I tested to the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU.

Based on the performance of the Dell Optiplex 7010 from the test, it scored 7367 points

In conclusion, the gaming performance of the Dell Optiplex 7010 is not applaudable until users upgrade it therefore, I’ll rate it a five in this regard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The Optiplex 7010 is a desktop computer that delivers a seamless performance at everyday computing tasks. It has a wide range of sizes to choose from to perfectly fit your desk space.

Thankfully, it is affordable, therefore, a good choice for both small and large businesses. It is also a perfect option as a home computer. 

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