The OptiPlex Micro is a mini PC designed for industrial {and professional} functions, however its compact shape issue has its programs for WFH environments particularly when in comparison to the usual full-size OptiPlex fashions. This actual type is notable for its desktop processor while maximum different mini PCs depend on cell H or HX collection CPUs as a substitute.
Our explicit check unit has been configured with the thirteenth gen Core i7-13700 CPU, 16 GB DDR5-4800 RAM, and 512 GB SSD in RAID 0. Decrease-end configurations get started with the Core i3-13100T for only $900 as much as the Core i9-13900 vPro. Non-Plus SKUs can send with an excellent slower Pentium Gold G7400T. No configurations at the present time be offering discrete graphics or any AMD possible choices.
The OptiPlex Micro competes in opposition to different semi-professional mini PCs just like the Apple Mac Mini M2, Beelink GTR7, or the Intel NUC collection.
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The OptiPlex Micro is two times the dimensions and weight of the Intel NUC 13 Professional however nonetheless smaller than the Mac Mini and particularly the OptiPlex SFF. The all-metal chassis and unique entrance grille design are another way unmistakably OptiPlex.
Port choices are numerous with essentially the most notable being the 4 person video-out ports. The only USB-C port, on the other hand, does no longer toughen USB4, Thunderbolt, Energy Supply, and even DisplayPort in contrast to the USB-C ports on maximum Intel NUCs or Beelink mini PCs.
The integrated Intel AX211 gives Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Efficiency is dependable without a main variations between 5 GHz or 6 GHz in networks.
The highest panel slides off simply after disposing of only a unmarried thumb screw from the rear to show the detachable WLAN module and two SSD slots. The fan will have to be got rid of to get entry to the 2 SODIMM slots, however all of the procedure is tool-less for simple servicing.
Notice that the FCLGA1700 processor is detachable and swappable in contrast to on maximum different mini PCs.
There are not any extras within the field as opposed to the exterior energy brick and bureaucracy. It is too unhealthy that the vertical stand is bought one after the other because the gadget can tip over fairly simply.
A 3-year restricted producer guaranty applies just like on maximum different high-end business-centric PCs from Dell.
We set Home windows to Efficiency mode previous to operating the benchmarks underneath. Dell Optimizer comes pre-installed, however it gives no specialised energy profiles in contrast to on maximum Dell laptops.
CPU functionality is implausible for the shape issue. When in comparison to the H-series Core i7-13700H as discovered on laptops just like the Inspiron 16 Plus 7630, our desktop-series Core i7-13700 gives 15 to 30 p.c sooner multi-thread functionality due most commonly to its upper energy envelope and sooner clock charges. Its benefits over the Apple M2 are noticeable in terms of CPU-heavy lots.
Sadly, the Core i7-13700 within the OptiPlex Micro is extra vulnerable to throttling when in comparison to a bigger desktop with the similar processor. Our reference Core i7-13700 operating on a full-size tower, as an example, would go back multi-thread benchmark rankings which are 40 to 60 p.c sooner than our mini PC. This is not to mention that the Dell unit is sluggish, however there is no denying that its small cooling resolution is a restricting issue. When operating CineBench R15 xT in a loop, as an example, functionality would dip by means of about 20 p.c after the primary few loops to indicate throttling habits.
PCMark effects are similar to the GMK NucBox K3 Professional however sill at the back of AMD-based mini PCs just like the Beelink SER7. The deficit can also be in large part attributed to the speedier built-in Radeon GPU on competing Ryzen Zen 3+ or Zen 4 platforms.
LatencyMon unearths no main DPC problems when opening more than one browser tabs of our homepage and no dropped frames all the way through 4K playback at 60 FPS.
Our unit makes use of two SK hynix BC901 NVMe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration which is an unusual sight as each and every power is handiest 30 mm in size as a substitute of the extra standard 80 mm. The shorter size and loss of any warmth spreaders imply functionality throttling is much more likely to happen when the drives are wired. Sadly, that is precisely what occurs as proven by means of our DiskSpd loop check effects underneath the place switch charges can be as excessive as 8600 MB/s handiest all the way through the primary minute or so ahead of throttling to the 1500 to 2500 MB/s vary.
Notice that the gadget can nonetheless toughen two full-length 2280 M.2 SSDs if desired.
Graphics functionality is deficient particularly when in comparison to the extra spectacular CPU. The UHD Graphics 770 has turn out to be out of date and it is only truly helpful for streaming functions or fundamental 4K60 video output. Nevertheless, this should not be a topic for the objective target market because the OptiPlex Micro used to be no longer designed to be a graphics powerhouse.
The interior fan is at all times lively at no less than 28.2 dB(A) in opposition to a silent background of 23.2 dB(A). It stays somewhat quiet at round 30 dB(A) when operating standard lots like browsers or spreadsheets, however excessive lots like Prime95 pressure can induce a fan noise of virtually 50 dB(A) to be louder than maximum different mini PCs. In different phrases, the OptiPlex Micro handiest turns into loud when tough programs are offered.
Floor temperatures can also be rather heat because the type homes a desktop-class CPU in a most commonly steel external. The highest floor is a balmy 30 C to 35 C when merely internet surfing and it may move as excessive 51 C when operating tough lots. You can indubitably need to be cautious of the temperature if putting any pieces on best of the unit.
Core temperatures can also be very excessive which correlate with the excessive floor temperatures and throttling habits discussed above. When operating Prime95, as an example, the CPU would spice up to a few.6 GHz, 155 W, and nearly 100 C lasting for just a minute or two at maximum. Thereafter, the CPU would stabilize at 2.7 GHz and 66 W with the intention to take care of a quite cooler core temperature of 90 C. Repeating this check at the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini with the slower Core i7-13700H would lead to a cooler core temperature of 81 C as a substitute.
Moreover, achieving such excessive core temperatures does not take all that a lot. Core temperature would stabilize at 94 C simply from operating Witcher 3 to constitute excessive lots in comparison to handiest 68 C at the Beelink GTR7.
The type integrates monaural audio in contrast to on different mini PCs the place built-in audio system are unusual. The speaker is loud sufficient for small places of work however indubitably no longer robust sufficient for convention rooms.
Energy intake can also be rather excessive which is possibly no longer surprising given the desktop processor inside of. The excessive Turbo Spice up doable of the Core i7-13700 could cause the gadget to attract up to 190 W to 230 W when launching programs or operating CPU-intensive duties as proven by means of the graphs underneath. Nevertheless, the low Turbo Spice up sustainability of the mini PC signifies that such excessive energy attracts are handiest brief.
USB-C Energy Supply isn’t supported and so the integrated 180 W energy brick (~15.4 x 7.5 x 3.2 cm) will have to be attached all the time to run the gadget. When put next, some mini PCs just like the Beelink SER7 can run solely on third-party USB-C AC adapters whilst others just like the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini haven’t any exterior energy brick in any respect.
Highlights of the OptiPlex Micro come with its detachable desktop CPU, tool-less serviceability, excessive processor performance-per-volume, and 4 person video-out ports. Customers who multitask between two or extra displays for graphs, spreadsheets, and phrase processing will in finding the OptiPlex Micro to be a competent “set and fail to remember” choice.
Working a full-fledged Core i7 CPU designed for desktops in a mini PC shape issue has its drawbacks. Turbo Spice up doable particularly is decrease and so moderate functionality is decently slower than a bigger OptiPlex gadget provided with the similar processor. Secondly, core temperatures are very excessive at over 90 C which, whilst technically protected, is normally no longer best particularly when maximum different mini PCs run cooler. And finally, the out of date built-in GPU is inadequate for most current 3D rendering and that is made even worse by means of the loss of USB4 or Thunderbolt eGPU toughen. We advise mini PCs with Iris Xe or Radeon 680M/780M graphics in case your workloads contain slightly of graphics enhancing.
Mini PC customers who price uncooked CPU functionality will in finding the OptiPlex Micro to be profitable. Differently, possible choices just like the Intel NUC 13 Professional or Beelink GTR7 are higher balanced in relation to CPU and GPU functionality.
The SSD throttling could also be unlucky to peer. Devoted SSD warmth spreaders would have most probably addressed the problem, however this could have bumped up the burden and value.
Dell is lately transport the OptiPlex Micro Plus 7010 beginning at $929 USD, however handiest configurations with the slower Core T-series CPUs are to be had as of this writing.
Allow 48h for review and removal.