Howdy
Based on the popularity of this deal, I've put together another couple of pallets of these dell 7040's to be cleared off.
Details below
Dell Optiplex 7040
Intel Core i5 6500
16Gb Ram
128Gb SSD
Windows 10 Pro
12 Month Warranty
The will use a standard three pin kettle cord - you've probably got a couple spare in the cupboard already.
A good cheap nas
With 1x 3.5" and 2x 2.5" slots? What would you put in it? RAID seems like an issue
Not everyone need a very huge storage.
3.5" can be a maybe 8-12TB hdd
2.5" can be 2 4TB ssd
Should be enough for a lot of persons?
I myself only need about 4TB storage…
Would these even come with a 3.5" caddy?
Not necessarily. A desktop would probably consume 80w when idle which works out to $100-$150 per year depending on your rates.
Expected questions
- is it capable of running as a media plex? -> yes
- any thoughts on running it as a linux nas? -> yes
can it play Solitare? -> Yes
darn, was hoping to kick my solitaire addiction
LOL I thought you might say "Can it play Crysis"
I'll ask.
Can it play Crysis?
You could at least install it, that's one foot through the door.
Definitely could run the non-remastered version, probably atleast 1080p at mediumish graphic settings on the integrated Intel HD Graphics 530?
Hey mate. @Calmago
I've just got mine, plugged in and all set up.
It says on the screen "welcome to epworth healthcare" and requires a login from this company. Obviously it got refurbed but not a factory reset.
Can you help?
- is it capable of running as a media plex? -> yes
Just be aware it won't be able to transcode 10bit HEVC content.
Isn't 7th gen onwards the rule?
edit: dumb, missed that it was 6th gen somehow
don't be too quick to recommend this device as a Plex server. Even with Intel Quick-sync this CPU won't be able to reliably transcode much more than 1080p as the average CPU passmark on this i5 is 5640.
Plex recommend the following: Very roughly speaking, for a single full-transcode of a video, the following PassMark score requirements are a good guideline for the following average source file:
4K HDR (50Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) file: 17000 PassMark score (being transcoded to 10Mbps 1080p)
4K SDR (40Mbps, 8-bit HEVC) file: 12000 PassMark score (being transcoded to 10Mbps 1080p)
1080p (10Mbps, H.264) file: 2000 PassMark score
720p (4Mbps, H.264) file: 1500 PassMark score
Those recommendations are for software encoding. If you're using quick sync then the CPU requirements are significantly lower.
The Intel Core i5 6500 (Skylake) CPU offers Intel Quick Sync Support as follows:
H.265/HEVC 8-bit: Supported
H.265/HEVC 10-bit: Not Supported
H.265/HEVC 12-bit: Not Supported
It's important to note that any unsupported formats will prompt Plex to resort to software transcoding, where the PassMark score becomes crucial. Based on my experience, it's advisable to provide information when the hardware is fully capable of handling the required tasks. If OP encounters files in these unsupported formats or the Plex server needs to transcode multiple streams simultaneously, the CPU utilisation can reach 100%, leading to performance issues.
By posting incomplete/inaccurate information, end-users may be left with unrealistic expectations, potentially resulting in unnecessary expenditures on a new, supposedly more suitable PC solution.
Transcoding isn't really needed any more for in home use - your playback devices will generally play whatever you throw at them unless you've got some really old gear.
6th gen isn't ideal, 8th gen is probably the best option, but 6th gen goes alright.
does it come with wifi?
Usually no
So how does one get wifi for these?
Can pop a USB wi-fi dongle in
USB wifi adapter for a few bucks.
An $8 USB WiFi adaptor should do the trick
Just hide the ethernet cable.
I have a regular ATX case, can these components be built into that case? And will that give me an additional HDD slot or does the motherboard only have one SATA connection?
Many years ago I got a cheap motherboard+CPU that originally came out of a Dell 9010, and I was planning to do just that.
Can you build it into any ATX case >> yes
Is it easy >> yes
Will it work fine >> not out of the box
The problem is that Dell uses a lot of proprietary connections, which do not necessarily align with what your average ATX case offers.
Especially the power connector proved to be a cow, even after getting a Dell one and then fiddle with connections, I still get warnings at start-up.
It works fine once past them, just a general nuisance.
I suggest you look up what its motherboard looks like, and what connections it offers. Shape might be a showstopper !!
Thanks
Short answer is unlikely. From 7040 series onwards Dell started combining the USB daughter board into the main motherboard so it's no longer industry standard m-atx size. But, if you do some research and if your case is long enough , your case might support the install of the motherboard with the god awful USBs in its entirety. Otherwise , yes the motherboard has about 4 sata ports from memory.
Here's an example of what the propietary motherboard looks like:
https://images.app.goo.gl/Vdp76Zba98gHqQ3z9
Thanks
Will I finally be able to run crysis on ultra maxed out settings?
will 4k movies play on this computer?
Yes.
Not 4k 60 hdr as the graphics output is typically only up to 4k30. The 7th gen onward chip was better for encoding/decoding or certain video files more efficiently.
If you could get a gpu in there that would solve that issue.
Anyone know what GPU would suit this without a PSU upgrade?
Not sure I would use a gpu with the stock PSU. 180W PSU doesn't leave much room. GT1030 at best but even then the recommended PSU is 300W
Same answer as in every other SFF deal. Comes with caveats. JFGI.
GT1030 will definitely work.
JFGI? R U OK?
Sorry, meant to say LMGTFY.
I used a low profile GTX 1050 to make a ghetto gaming PC out of one of these a while back, it's not as easy as the old 9020 cases were. The problem was that the accessible PCIe slot couldn't power the GPU, and the second slot which could power the GPU couldn't fit the card. Had to use a PCI riser cable and leave the case lid off - rigged up a rudimentary lid with some plastic mesh and cable ties.
Turned out to be a $150ish low-mid gaming PC, so absolute bargain, but it's not a neat and easy solution.
Sweet. Cheers for the comments
Radeon RX 6400 low profile
Can I upgrade it to 32 or 64gb ram?
Dell's manual says the max supported is 32GB, 8GB max per slot.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-au/optiplex-7040-des….
Possible to chuck an rx580 into it as a cheap gaming rig?
No, Low Profile GPU only.
LOL
Not just a physical size problem, the RX580 power draw is pretty high.You'd need to find a GPU which runs on PCIe power only, as a starting point, and then might need to hack up the case a bit to make it fit.
Definitely possible.
the raspberry pie deal we've all been waiting for
Home Assistant / Homebridge worthy!?
If power usage is not an issue, then yes. Probably a touch overkill.
Can the CPU be upgraded to an i7 7700?
yes the chipset is a Q170 and supports 7th gen cpus. I have upgraded one of these to a 7700k.
Needs BIOS support too, from what I saw Dell didn't update it to support 7th gen.
It seems that this one only supports Intel i7 6700.
Where are you getting this info from? Having said that I double checked and mine is the Q270 and ran with a 7700k without any BIOS update. Bear in mind that any Dell documentation written would have been written during when only the 6th Gen was available.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/90587/i…
Intel support lists the Q170 as fully supporting 7th Gen
@fruitloafer: I just found this one but I am not sure. Thanks for your knowledge and confirmation. https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/optiplex-des…
@zozuc: You may be right, based on looking around it appears that Dell may have BIOS limited the CPUs to only 6th gen as someone tried it and it didn't work. I guess for 7th Gen, the minimum is the Optiplex 7050
@fruitloafer: I also tried to find Optiplex 7040 with i7-7700 but no luck, only found with i7-6700. Thanks
@BROKENKEYBOARD: I found one guy, who cannot upgrade i7-7700 with specs as Chipset: Intel Q170, Skylake PCH-H, BIOS Date: 05/27/2020, BIOS Version: 1.17.0
Do these have an NVME slot?
The manual says it has an M.2 slot. (M.2 22x80 socket3)
Socket3 might mean it's PCI-E. It's probably not NVME though.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-au/optiplex-7040-des…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2#:~:text=sockets%20keyed%20for%20four%20PCI%20Express%20lanes%20(PCIe%C2%A0%C3%974)%20are%20referred%20to%20as%20%22socket%C2%A03%20configuration%22%20or%20%22socket%C2%A03%22
Installed nvme gen 3, works fine for me
Waiting for iphone 16.
Oh sorry, wrong thread.
Can't apply the code for some reason, are there any conditions/restrictions?
I need to troubleshoot my system which has the following specs:
- Asus Z170
- i7 6700k
- Ripjaws 2x8gb
It’s no longer working in dual channel (only boots with one stick).
Will I be able to use the ram in this on my Asus mobo (or vice versa), or try the i5 on my mobo / the i7 on this?
I’ve done troubleshooting and I think it’s either the mobo or, because I think the memory controller for skylake gen was in the cpu, most likely the CPU. I was never able to run xmp which leads me to think I got unlucky on the memory controller lottery and now it’s finally starting to die.
Run memtest, most likely one of your sticks of RAM is bad.
It boots fine with either stick, so long as there’s only one in. You reckon a faulty stick will still boot fine but glitch when run in dual?
In the mean time I’ll memtest!
Seems more like the motherboard or memory controller to me.
I have one with a GT1030 in it, was trying to sell but this deal will make it tough. Passive two slot gt 1030 so it's in the x4 pcie slot (nfi why you'd put the x16 slot as the one with only 1 slot). Been a good machine for me for 4 or 5 years. Mine has an m.2 slot, 4 ram slots. If that helps others.
I'm still using an old Optiplex 9010 for occasional games for that reason. Was the last model where you could put the GT1030 in the 16X slot. Not sure how much difference that makes, but the CPU speed barely improved from 3rd to 6th gen.
If these were $50, I might buy one. At $80+ it's better to save up a little bit more and spend the extra on a better unit.
The price already includes delivery and these are PCs, not small parcels
So cheap. 20 years ago I would have considered a sub $100 dollar PC to be conceivable (OS is included in the price too)… Well, I guess you have to add a mouse,keyboard and monitor (or repurposed TV) to be usable, but you can purchase cheap mice and keyboards and I imagine the country is awash with old, unwanted monitors and TVs because people have upgraded to better quality ones.
is there any new deal coming?
Anyone received theirs yet? My ETA of Tue 19 Sep - Thu 21 Sep is now bumped to Fri 22 – Tue 26 Sep.
Nope, my ETA got bumped as well to mid-next week
I got a surprise "out for delivery" AusPost SMS just before 9am. Thankfully my great postie left it in my covered parcel spot and it was waiting for me when I got home tonight.
Inside the box the unit was well wrapped in bubble-wrap. A minimal bit of fine dust inside the case. 2 x 8gb RAM sticks, 128gb M.2 SSD, DVD writer. Time to plug it in and see if it's "Epworth"ed.
Received mine today. But asks me for a Epworth Healthcare login email when I turn it on…
Haha that's not good, presumably refurbished is meant to be wiped and fresh install, doubt Epworth Healthcare would be keen to have their data shipped around the country
I had the same problem. There is none of Epworth's data on the device, but it's still registered on their remote management system which locks the unit to them each time you re-install Windows. There doesn't appear to be a workaround and even if there was Epworth probably could remotely access the device any time they wanted until it's removed from their system. I contacted them via ebay about the issue. They have been responsive and quickly provided a return shipping label and organised a replacement unit to be sent. I would suggest you do the same.
Unfortunately these PCs are registered with Windows Autopilot to Epworth HealthCare.
As you say, Windows 10/11 clean installs won't fix it as the device's hardware identity is checked during the post-install initial setup phase (the Out Of Box Experience).
Nothing we end-users can do about it save for installing a non-Windows OS, or changing the motherboard and using a fresh Windows key.
If the replacement is from the same batch, it'll likely have the same issue.
Messaged them a couple of days ago but didn't get a response. I'll follow-up on Monday
I did a clean Win 11 install. Because the setup phase requires an internet connection, I added two static DNS entries on my router to block "cs.dds.microsoft.com" and "ztd.dds.microsoft.com". This blocks the connection to Autopilot so you won't get any of Epworth's settings and policies applied and you can instead setup with your Microsoft account. If you have any questions, just ask.
I thought even if you create a local account, a unstoppable Windows update forces you to create a Microsoft account?
@Guybrush57: You have to do a little fiddling (eg Rufus to make the install USB, or do the "OOBE\BYPASSNRO" trick) to be able to create a local account when clean installing Win 11. But since I use my Microsoft Account, I want the internet connection during setup without having Autopilot link the machine to Epworth and apply their settings and policies.
Blocking Autopilot also avoids having to do work arounds when doing major feature updates that repeat the OOBE step, or using the Windows Rest feature.
changing to UEFI Boot and wipe all exising drives during the install seems to get rid of the Epworth login issue.
It didn't for me.
@spiinl: Did you have the Epworth login before wiping?
After a clean install there won't be any former-owner association until the setup process is able to check if the hardware ID has been registered in Windows Autopilot. Interrupting this step allows you to avoid associating your fresh Windows with the former owner.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/autopilot/user-driven
Windows Autopilot user-driven mode lets you configure new Windows devices to automatically transform them from their factory state to a ready-to-use state. This process doesn't require that IT personnel touch the device.
Devices can be shipped or distributed to the end user directly with the following instructions:
- Unbox the device, plug it in, and turn it on.
- If it uses multiple languages, choose a language, locale, and keyboard.
- Connect it to a wireless or wired network with internet access…
The steps of the user-driven process are as follows:
- After the device connects to a network, the device downloads a Windows Autopilot profile. The profile defines the settings used for the device. For example, define the prompts suppressed during OOBE.
- Windows checks for critical OOBE updates. If updates are available, they're automatically installed. If necessary, the device restarts.
- The user is prompted for Azure AD credentials. This customized user experience shows the Azure AD tenant name, logo, and sign-in text.
- The device joins Azure AD or Active Directory, depending on the Windows Autopilot profile settings.
- The device enrolls to Intune or another configured MDM service…
@Thrift: Yes I did, I did an Windows 11 upgrade of the OS that comes with it. I was locked out with the Epsworth login. I then decide to do a fresh clean install. Deleting all the partitions on the drive.
![[Refurb] Dell Optiplex 7040 i5 6500 16GB RAM 128GB SSD $87.20 ($85.02 eBay +) Delivered @ BNEACTTRADER eBay](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/97/799697.jpg?h=54d127a2)
come with power cable?