Dell OptiPlex 3060 SFF Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: two DDR4 slots, up to 32 GB

The board has two full-size desktop DIMM slots, labelled DIMM1 and DIMM2. They take non-ECC, unbuffered DDR4 UDIMMs (not laptop SO-DIMMs). The most you can fit is 16 GB per slot, 32 GB in total, and the minimum configuration is 4 GB.

Speed depends on the processor. Celeron, Pentium and Core i3 models run memory at 2400 MT/s, while other CPUs run it at up to 2666 MT/s. Faster modules won't push past those limits.

One page of Dell's service manual says the memory is embedded in the board. That looks like a generic note carried over from another product. Dell's specification guide, spec sheet and board layout all show two replaceable DIMM slots.

Buying tips

• Buy standard unbuffered non-ECC DDR4 UDIMMs; ECC and registered modules are not supported.
• Choose 2666 MT/s modules if you have an i5 or i7, but 2400 MT/s is enough for Celeron, Pentium and i3.
• Two 16 GB modules give the 32 GB maximum; don't buy more than 16 GB per module.
• Check the module is full-size desktop memory, not SO-DIMM.

Storage: one M.2 slot and one SATA drive bay

The M.2 slot takes 2230 or 2280 drives and is the only M.2 slot meant for storage. Dell lists SATA, NVMe and SATA self-encrypting drives, with capacities up to 512 GB or 1 TB, and an Intel Optane 16 GB M.2 option. The second M.2 2230 slot is keyed for Wi-Fi, so don't plan on using it for an SSD.

Dell documents the NVMe connection as PCIe 2.0 x4 (up to 16 Gbps). Another document at a different model's address quotes a faster PCIe 3 figure, but it belongs to the OptiPlex 3070, so treat the PCIe 2.0 x4 figure as the one for this machine. Whether a fast Gen3 NVMe drive will reach its full speed here is not confirmed.

The drive bay holds one 3.5-inch or one 2.5-inch SATA drive, up to 2 TB per Dell's list. It shares the board's SATA ports with the slim optical drive. No thickness limit is documented, and a 2.5-inch drive in the 3.5-inch bay may need an adapter. What a used unit contains varies by configuration, so check what it has before you buy.

Buying tips

• For a quick boot-drive upgrade, an M.2 2280 SATA or NVMe SSD is the simplest fit.
• Don't pay extra for top-end NVMe speed; Dell documents PCIe 2.0 x4 for this slot.
• For bulk storage, a 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drive up to 2 TB is listed.
• If you use a 2.5-inch drive in the 3.5-inch bay, check whether you need a mounting adapter.
• Remember the optical drive and bay drive share the SATA ports.

CPU: 8th-generation Intel, 65 W maximum

This model uses the H370 chipset and supports 8th-generation Intel Core-family processors only. Dell lists the Celeron G4900, Pentium Gold G5400 and G5500, Core i3-8100 and i3-8300, and Core i5-8400 and i5-8500, plus the 35 W T variants. The highest power rating among the listed CPUs is 65 W.

One Dell document also lists a Core i7-8700 (6 cores, 12 threads, 65 W), but the spec sheet doesn't. Treat the i7 as possible but not confirmed. Support for 9th-generation CPUs is not documented, so don't assume they will work.

Dell's documents don't name the socket; these CPUs use LGA1151. The small chassis has limited cooling, so stay at or below 65 W.

Buying tips

• Stick to the CPU models Dell lists; an i5-8400 or i5-8500 is the top confirmed option.
• Check any Core i7-8700 purchase carefully, as only one Dell document lists it.
• Avoid 9th-generation chips, as support is not documented.
• Pick a 35 W T model if you want lower heat and power use.
• Check that the CPU is an 8th-generation LGA1151 part before buying.

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Check which CPU you have, since it sets your memory speed (2400 or 2666 MT/s).
• Back up your files before swapping any drive.
• Have a Phillips screwdriver and your owner's manual handy for exact disassembly.
• Check what your unit contains (3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive, SD reader, optical drive) before ordering parts.
• Check Dell's support site for a BIOS update, especially before changing the CPU.

Steps

1. Back up your data
   Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage, especially if you're replacing or cloning a drive.
2. Power off and unplug
   Shut the PC down fully, unplug the power cable and any other cables, then hold the power button for a few seconds to drain leftover charge.
3. Ground yourself
   Work on a clean, hard surface and touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold memory modules and drives by their edges.
4. Open the case
   Remove the cover as shown in the owner's manual for the OptiPlex 3060 SFF. Follow Dell's instructions for any drive bay or cooler that sits in your way.
5. Install the new part
   For RAM, fit the module into DIMM1 or DIMM2. For storage, use the M.2 slot (not the Wi-Fi slot) or the SATA bay. For a CPU, follow Dell's guidance and use only a listed 8th-generation processor. Use the owner's manual for exact procedures.
6. Close the case and reconnect
   Refit the cover, reconnect the cables and power on.
7. Check the BIOS
   Press the BIOS setup key at startup and confirm the new memory size, drive or processor is detected. For a new drive, install or restore your operating system.

Good to know

• Dell's service manual has a page saying the memory is embedded; its other documents show two replaceable DIMM slots.
• Dell documents NVMe as PCIe 2.0 x4; real-world Gen3 drive speed is unconfirmed.
• The Core i7-8700 appears in only one Dell document, and 9th-generation CPU support is not documented.
• Dell's documents don't name the CPU socket; these CPUs use LGA1151.
• The PCIe x16 and x1 slots are half-height only, so check low-profile bracket compatibility for any card.
• No drive thickness limit is documented for the SATA bay.
• Dell sold this model in several configurations, so check what a used unit actually contains.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell OptiPlex 3060 SFF take?

Up to 32 GB, as two 16 GB DDR4 modules. There are two full-size DIMM slots and the minimum configuration is 4 GB.

Does the OptiPlex 3060 SFF support ECC memory?

No. It takes non-ECC, unbuffered DDR4 UDIMMs only.

Is the memory soldered on?

No. One page of Dell's service manual says it is embedded, but this looks like a generic note. Dell's specification guide, spec sheet and board layout all show two replaceable DIMM slots.

Can I fit an NVMe SSD in the OptiPlex 3060 SFF?

Yes. The M.2 storage slot takes 2230 or 2280 SATA or NVMe drives. Dell documents the connection as PCIe 2.0 x4, so full Gen3 speed is unconfirmed. The second M.2 slot is for Wi-Fi only.

What CPUs does the OptiPlex 3060 SFF support?

8th-generation Intel only: Celeron G4900, Pentium Gold G5400 and G5500, Core i3-8100 and i3-8300, Core i5-8400 and i5-8500, plus 35 W T variants. One Dell document also lists the Core i7-8700. 9th-generation support is not documented.

Can I add a second hard drive or SSD?

You have one M.2 storage slot and one 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA bay, so you can use both. The bay shares the board's SATA ports with the slim optical drive.

Official documents and references

• Dell OptiPlex 3060 SFF Setup and Specifications: Memory
  Official memory specifications
• Dell OptiPlex 3060 SFF Setup and Specifications: Storage
  Drive types, capacities and NVMe interface
• PDF Dell OptiPlex 3060 Spec Sheet (PDF)
  Supported CPUs, memory speeds and storage options
• PDF OptiPlex 3060 SFF Setup and Specifications guide (PDF mirror)
  Full specs including M.2 slots and processor list
• Dell OptiPlex 3060 SFF Service Manual: Motherboard layout
  Where the DIMM slots, CPU socket and SATA connectors sit
• Dell OptiPlex 3060 SFF Service Manual: DDR4
  Memory page with the conflicting embedded-memory note