Dell's Compact Workstation is...

[@miketrimberger7686]

Unfortunately, Dell announced the end of the Precision named models, as well as most of the other model names we have come to love.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes, we covered that on the main site. I first heard about it in November of last year. We almost had it in this video, but it got edited out I think

[@markarca6360]

No problem. I'll switch to HP.

[@jolness1]

I am not remotely attached to the name of their lines. Idc what they call it if it’s any good.

[@jolness1]

@@markarca6360because of a naming change?

[@normanmaucha]

So what's the issue??

[@LockonKubi]

The power light doubling as a preboot diagnostic led is a great feature that is actually standard on their business line of desktops. Also onboard diagnostic tools.

[@yousaf.saleem]

this usb labeling was made mandatory recently by USB Implementers Forum for the cables at least. nice to see it on systems as well

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes. I wish everyone labeled these things well like Dell

[@calebhogue23]

We use these with the 13700 and T1000 in our programming and CAD computer labs at the college I work at. It works really well and takes less space on the desks, and has an under-desk mounting option as well.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Great feedback. I think those T1000 versions are popular.

[@keven-matthewlarrivee-font2678]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo I've got one of those upgraded with 64gb of ram for CAD modeling at work. It overheats and is overall meh... We just bought a 9700x mid tower for my colleague. Much better machine for our workload.

[@basix250]

PCIe slots always sounds great to me

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Our extra PCIe riser for this one was delayed a week, so we had to ninja show it in an edit to the "final" last night.

[@Justfun-nk3vj]

According to the spec sheet, this box also supports ECC memory, which makes it even more interesting as a virtual host/home lab.

[@Dandude1221]

This is a great in-between size. Lenovo is doing the same with the "Ultra" suffix. Havent had a hands on, but the case design looks cool - dual sided chassis that slides out if the shell

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Lenovo has a great design!

[@shadow7037932]

The single port for Type A is a miss. If you run a wireless keyboard + mouse with different manufacturers (i.e. ASUS and Logitech), you need two receivers.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

There are four Type-A on the rear

[@Orchardman53]

In the UK this device is marked as discontinued by Dell.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes. We will have the 3240 Compact review next. The 3240 is the very low cost version since it is one more generation old. This will start to fall in price soon on ebay and the Dell Outlet so we wanted to review it as a reference when folks start looking

[@blahblahblahblah2933]

This form factor seems like a sweet spot for IO while still being small and relatively efficient. I'd love to see other mfrs pick this up and create options in this form factor. Seems like they could make nice NAS boxes with 10G + HBA to an external drive enclosure or compute nodes with GPU + dedicated networking for storage.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Very much so

[@mando7558]

ETA Prime tried to install a dual-slot card in this and had to modify the case

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

The issue is less the dual slot cooler, but instead if you have GPU with a dual slot LP bracket. Still, for things like single-slot cards with internal cables, there is room

[@dohmarau]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo I got a yeston 3050 thats single slot lo profile, works well in my nas as a plex transcode card - would fit in that chassis easily

[@ALSW123]

@@ServeTheHomeVideoor just get the latest 3280 model that is slightly larger and can fit the RTX 2000 Ada and RTX 4000 Ada SFF

[@BSFJeebus]

all the issues described are on the end-user and easily resolvable.

[@DaSyEnTisT]

Got those with an i7 12700 and a nv T1000 at work , very nice machine. The cooler on the i7 version is way beefier.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Sweet!

[@rrsf4i]

Usually the pcie risers dont have traces on those extremities (except ground for screws) so you can just clip them

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Totally true. The riser we ordered finally arrived. Still, many do not like to cut PCB and prefer pre-sized solutions

[@BAD_CONSUMER]

He thinks riser cards grow on trees!

[@jeremybarber2837]

Clipping it won’t get you the experience you think it will. Spent over 3wks tinkering with mine to finally realize that DELL throttles 3rd party risers (if you mod one to work) to gen2 speeds & mostly locks pre-post check so it won’t boot. Go with the Dell riser.

[@RVail623]

Dell should maybe consider offering competition for the Pfsense-compatible 6 LAN port mini PC's listed on certain web sites, such as Amazon or AliExpress. Would prefer buying something returnable to a U.S. seller, rather than return shipping to China.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

You can always add a NIC to this like the 10G and 5G ones we showed. This has much more CPU performance

[@gearboxworks]

Would you also be willing to pay 3x the cost? Honest question.

[@RustyBrakes]

This would fit really nicely into 2Us of a halfsize rack like the DeskPi Rackmate T1

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I think we have a rack shelf review coming next weekend on the STH main site and this is used exactly like that

[@zstation64]

Those 2230 SKHynix SSDs work very well on the Pi4 and Pi5 with NVMe HATs, and in the CM4 powered Home Assistant Yellow. Use very little power and are plenty fast enough. And they always work, which isn’t at all a given with the Pi. They’re the only drives I’ve found that always work. Plus they’re dirt cheap on Fleabay/AliExpress.

[@Mikesco3]

Thank you for doing these reviews. They are super helpful!

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Glad they are helpful!

[@denvera1g1]

Hear me out, a 7060 Ultra Micro with Strix Halo, up to 1TB of unified memory in a 1-2L form factor. Of note, to get 1TB they'd probably need to use DIMM rather than LPDDR5 and we dont know if Strix Halo supports both DIMM/SODIMM and LPDDR

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I love it

[@12gark]

Dell being Dell: you make a pc with space for a dual slot gpu and then you don't put two pci slots in the back of the chassis. Litteral nonsense

[@MattFosdick-no3dx]

I think the point you missed on this form factor is that you can install the rtx a4000 Ada 20gb. It does wonders in ai, cad, and gaming in the micro form factor

[@mando7558]

The Dell Precision 3280 Compact has been out for some time now

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes, these should be falling in price on the secondary market as a result.

[@Lustanda]

5GB NIC and with the PCIE riser you can put 4 m.2 SSD in this with with an option for another SATA SSD as well. This can be a very dense storage server for someone!

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes

[@jeremybarber2837]

I was gifted one of these w/o the rear i/o (long story) or GPU riser. It’s been a journey hacking parts together. For all the watchers, heed this warning: just buy the DELL riser straight away. $35/40 is well worth your sanity. The 3280 is a pretty sweet rig too, lots of room to play around.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I totally agree on buying the riser. We snuck that riser shot in for a few seconds since it arrived (finally) just before this went live

[@ci_a]

9:21 , what model that hp on your hand ?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

805 G9

[@axescar]

AX211 is a strange card - cnvio is a suspicious proprietary format that hard to upgrade

[@Shabbir-A.]

I was on Dell website and websites says it's already discontinued.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes. Generally we do Project TinyMiniMicro for used systems. Once discontinued they fall in price quickly

[@Shabbir-A.]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo alright

[@cannaroe1213]

Th 5GbE m.2 you use uses a Key A adapter, which is 1 PCIe lane. I'm not sure this can do 5GbE on 1 PCIe lane. You can just take the ribbon adapters you bought and snap the plastic ends off that interfere with the case. There are no wires/traces in there.

[@comfysofa1549]

Hi there - ive had my 3260 for a while now...never been able to find the rear usbc add adapter...does anyone know the part number?? - oh i might add that some of these 12th gen ones (mine is one of them) cannot accept a 13th i9 - i found out the hard way! - ive configured mine up to an i9 12th gen, 2x 4tb gen4 ssd's, a 12gb Nvidia A2000, ax201 and a 2.5gb usb ethernet. I run proxmox on mine. Oh - does anyone know the part number of that sata ribbon connector - itd be nice to add some more storage in there.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Wow!

[@bartoszkazmierczak7249]

Those little boxes are awesome. It's a shame there's no onboard 10G or 2.5G nic. I'd really like to see a big brand tiny box that can have both a 10G card and a single slot GPU.

[@EmpressHsiao]

Patrick's smile is always so charming

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Ha!

[@blazer511]

Where is the cost?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Used $600-900 but by the end of the year they will be $350-550 because of the new gen

[@Maverick87Shaka]

where goes the post on FB regarding DIGITS? I saw it just for a moment

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I think Ryan Smith covered that in our CES keynote main site coverage

[@tommybronze3451]

Considering what minisforum is giving people with ms-01 etc ... this feel underwhelming.

[@rmcdudmk212]

Cool PC but the placement of that top PCIE slot is awful. 😢

[@johnhpalmer6098]

The bigger issue is where they put the PCIe slot(s), I have a 7th gen SFF Optiplex and the damn 16x slot is right up against the PSU, which of course is 188W, so very, very limited on graphics cards. I run an Nvidia GT 1030 in it. Oh, it only has a 1x slot for the 2nd slot. Had it been 4x, or even an 8x slot, then I could have a tad more options for graphics card. Oh well. In the middle of building a full ATX computer based on the current Core 7 Ultra and 64GB of RAM. Still have a couple of items arriving this week, then I can begin to use it. Still trying for the Intel based graphics card, the B580, but they are very elusive at the moment, unless one pays scalper's prices on the 'Bay.

[@Username00011000]

These things are fairly expensive for what they are and how old they are.

[@candyred3v]

3280 riser has a slot for a secind aic but it's only x1. But that's still pretty decent depending in the usage

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

That is very useful.

[@sfperalta]

Could you add 2.5 or 5 Gbps ethernet adapter to USB 3.2 gen 2 port? Not everybody needs to jump to 10GigE.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes.

[@LtdJorge]

Wait, this isn't named Dell Precision Pro Max Mini?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Or Compact Micro for this generation. But yea the branding change happened after this came out

[@abunk8691]

Seeing the thumbnail and intro I got a bit excited since its got more expansion and cooling potential than the 1L PC form factor, but the excitement died fast as I noticed things that turn me off. I thought that with the extra space Dell would have integrated the power supply inside like Optiplex SFF PCs, but they didn't so that kinda bugged me as its another thing to manage for clusters since its a chunky 180w one. The vertical space above the CPU & heatsink being just empty is a waste. Though you did mention there's versions that come with that. The design of the cooling makes sense its meant for front to back airflow but it still feels like they wasted space here since they could have gone with a taller heatsink as standard or a different design since it kinda looks like they just used a heatsink from one of their 1L mini PCs. Potentially they could have gone for a cheaper to manufacture cooler like Dell's version of Intel stock heatsinks that use screw mounts for a top down airflow, but not sure how that would work out with the solid top lid since there's no case fans. The 2x NVME and SATA option seems nice for a NAS build. Plus there's the option of using the 8x PCIe slot for more NVME SSDs, but that specific size riser situation kinda sucks. By the end of the video I thought that Precision 3260 is a form factor that has potential that's not maximized yet. Its smaller than Dell's Optipex SFF which is great, but the points I mentioned above could be improved.

[@apolloeosphoros4345]

cant wait to get half a dozen of these for cheap in about 6 years lol

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

My guess is that will be possible in Q4 2025

[@MrBobbybrady]

Wait until you see the minisforum MS-A2 model coming out. I love the Dell Bios, appreciate the extra space, and dependable support but that minipc will smoke this thing. 7945HX, 16 cores 32 threads, Dual 10 Gig ports.... I wish Dell would make something more competitive in a compact size.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Totally. That looks great. Some folks really value the support for things like these.

[@mando7558]

Patrick, did you used to work at CompUSA back in the day?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I remember CompUSA, but never worked there!

[@ALSW123]

Odd to feature this when it was replaced by the Precision 3280 in March 2024. The 3260 could not support graphics beyond T1000 but the 3280 supports the 14th gen intel CPUs and crucially NVIDIA RTX2000 Ada and RTX 4000 Ada SFF. Slightly larger but if upgrade. Only downside is the rack mount now only supports 7 units in 5U Expect the Dell Pro Max Micro with arrow lake ultra CPUs in Spring

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

True, but the 3240 that we will do next sells for around $300. Part of Project TMM is now just for new systems, but also used systems that come off lease for cheap.

[@ALSW123]

@ yeh just I think you could be clearer In your videos that these aren’t the current models and that the latest options allow the dual slot. The 3260 was a bit of an error from dell they thought the A2000 would fit so they would have options without having to put mobile chips in like they did for the 3240 (Quadro RTX 3000 mobile) but the A2000 wouldn’t fit! Hence the 3280 is a bit bigger

[@TomekSw]

SATA SSD caddy and big or even medium size NVMe heatsinks don't like each other in this model, need to be careful. Otherwise great tiny pc.

[@clausskovcaspersen2667]

We had 2, i9 but Got to hot, the xeon had a bigger cooler profile, but i could not buy them from dell. Så we made Them spare parts

[@nazar-pc]

Those Aliexpress risers are so cheap, you can just chop it off to size on one side for this purpose

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Totally, but for many folks that is a no-go

[@gejamugamlatsoomanam7716]

Can you fit a rtx 4090 asus strix edition innit though?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

No way to power it :(

[@jalebisingh9886]

Dell needs to embrace AMD and go ECC on this

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Allegedly that is happening

[@jalebisingh9886]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo Hopefully has built remote management features.

[@TomekSw]

RTX 4000 will fit, one need to cut off some plastic and metal parts, but it will fit.

[@chibha96]

It's a good unit.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Very

[@oldschoolpanels]

I just got a usb c to 2.5gig ethernet, any issues with this? Seems solid so far

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

They are pretty good these days. For the 5GbE ones, you need to make sure you have a newer chipset.

[@oldschoolpanels]

Thanks! Like the content , any chance we could get open wrt videos / device on the mix

[@kristopherleslie8343]

Does Dell have something close to minisforum

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Not really, but they have much better support than Minisforum

[@kristopherleslie8343]

@ :( it’s about time for me to replace 5 desktops that need something slim to fit. 🧑‍💻🤔

[@JasonsLabVideos]

Thanks for this Video Patrick, still watching and learning from you !! 2025 !!

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Appreciate you sticking with it!

[@JasonsLabVideos]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo 100% Sir !

[@odirex]

Dell needs to update the optiplex UFF series. i love my 7090 ultra.

[@glmchn]

No no no, this is the Dell Pro Max Tiny Plus Evo X5 Gold 6070 X

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

This is the previous gen :-P

[@daymianhogue1634]

Intel 12500 supports Vpro according to Intel Ark

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

The 500 series usually does. Something strange happened with these. We showed the spec sheet that did not show support. The branding is not on the label of our system. Our second system also did not have it working with the i5-12500 either. It is odd, indeed.

[@daymianhogue1634]

@ServeTheHomeVideo I guess Dell disabled it? Because Intel ark says it has it.

[@frankwong9486]

4 years later we can buy more from ebay and add to the cluster

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

These should be falling in price now that they are a generation old. My sense is in the next few months they will drop.

[@emilstaack8]

make a compact series!

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

We might do that if we get traction on this one.

[@Animelord0001]

@@ServeTheHomeVideoplease do it, the Lenovo P3 ultra is even cooler than the dell version

[@blufade]

Surprised why this config with 12500 isn’t vpro enabled, it sure can’t be a nic issue as it comes with the i219-lm 🤔

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Some systems simply do not have vPro enabled as a customer choice. The Dell spec sheet we showed also indicated that the system would not have vPro with the i5-12500. I believe it should be capable, but we had our result and the spec sheet aligning.

[@ronwatkins5775]

Would you recommend this over a T/M/M 1L PC to use as a remote virtualization host? I need to run 2 VM's with 16Gb each, and need more horsepower than im finding in the T/M/M 1L PC's. Also, is this CPU the one with the manufacturing defect? Which CPU would you recommend for virtualization host which is also decently fast?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I would actually look for a 13th Gen since those had more E-cores if you wanted more performance, and a Core i7/ i9. TBH I think that the Minisforum MS-01 would also be a great option for that, or an AMD machine. Another silly option might be to get two older 3240 Compact systems and just have dedicated systems per VM, and since they are DDR4, getting 32GB is cheap. Lots of options in this space.

[@ronwatkins5775]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo Hmm, I thought mixing P/E cores was not a good idea for a VM host... As for the Minisforum, I was thinking about the MS-A1 as it supports better Ryzen 7 processors, but (not being an expert) was a bit confused as the TCP of CPU's such as the 7950 is too high for the MS-A1, meaning it would be restricted. Is there an "ideal" CPU for the MS-A1 which can maximize CPU speed/core-count which remaining in the TCP range of the box? It seems if I tried a 7950x I would be wasting money on a CPU I can't really use to it's full extent.

[@gearboxworks]

I am curious how much of this device is proprietary Dell vs. easy to replace components? The proprietary parts are what I hate about Dell/HP/Lenovo.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

There are proprietary parts. So long as you can get the riser for $35-40 if you do not have it, the SSDs, CPU, memory, and so forth are standard.

[@gearboxworks]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo - THANKS for answering. Just a thought, but it would be great if in future videos you would start calling out the components that are proprietary and those that are easily replaceable to help us understand what we will be getting ourselves into if we decide to buy one, especially for those things purchased cheaply on the secondary market. It really sucks to buy something for 10% of original retail only to find out we have to pay another 15% of retail to get the one proprietary component that our use-case cannot do without. 🤷‍♀

[@fairufy]

i'll buy in 2027 maybe

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

If it’s a cost thing in 3 quarters these should be much less expensive

[@magicflute5947]

no thunderbolt 4 at all? Why?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

You are right it should be fully integrated in Intel CPUs

[@youtubecommenter4069]

With the Asus mini PCs going AI such as the 14 Pro AI at CES 2025, it will soon be "retro" tech for TinyMiniMicro Dell Compact 3240/ 60 review by the time Patrick does an update of the PCIe x8 riser to 10 Gb NIC.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

You missed it. There is 6 seconds or so of footage with the roster installed because either finally came 2 weeks delayed

[@youtubecommenter4069]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo, Watched again. Had seen it but deflation took the better of me as a whole 2280 m.2 slot was being taken up by the IOCrest 5GbE M.2 adapter, worse still at 5Gb instead. Was "feeling" for bigger use of the PCIe x 8 as is Gen 4.

[@augurseer]

Love your peeps and your videos. Keep it up.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Getting back to it for 2025!

[@YouTubeGlobalAdminstrator]

Wasted space not making it 2 x PCIe slots, and no AMD version, they just are struggling to compete with other SFF systems.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Dell finally said it will adopt AMD

[@Ironic-Social-Phobia]

Searching for a new name for the series? Just do an Intel "Tiny Mini Micro+"

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Not a bad idea

[@Z4KIUS]

what's the point when the cooler requires you to stash it in the server room? obviously that applies to mini and studio too, I just don't get the point invest in high quality fans and big enough heatsink and if power is low enough just make it passive, that'll be more reliable also, brick in the middle is the worst possible PSU style, just don't

[@TheNitramlxl]

a one sided mainboard? really? It's a shame.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Agreed

[@joesworld396]

If you're going to show the CPU, you could at least clean off the thermal paste so the audience can read the CPU's markings. You probably replaced the thermal paste anyways before replacing the cooler.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Always a work in progress with new team members. But the actual SKU is less exciting and we showed a screenshot of it running

[@micturatedupon]

Any recommendations for a good, small, affordable, used Dell like this that supports a basic NVME drive and 2x 3.5 HDD's? Looking to build an entry/mid-level TrueNAS/Jellyfin machine that's good on space, reliability, and cost :) Bay Area-based, have access to lost of fun stuff :)

[@YouTubeGlobalAdminstrator]

Rather get an Asrock Deskmini, but better value ... 🤦‍♂️

[@johnnytshi]

Do not buy anything unless its Strix Halo

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

I am very excited for that!

[@augurseer]

Hi Patrick

[@oscarcharliezulu]

No offence but gosh this was boring to watch.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Very fair. Thanks

[@bits2646]

P360 ultra anyone?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

That is a great machine. This is a much smaller system. We reviewed the P360 Ultra here kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DEn2iemq5keLc

[@bits2646]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo Sorry, had P3 Ultra in mind, but threw me on local site where it didn't show that, only P360 ultra (tnx "3rd world markets") and I thought I'm crazy and just dreamed about P3, despite all other P series were available there.... Checked US and global site now and it's P3 Ultra, and appatently I'm not crazy, but did the upgrade to HP Z and never checked Lenovo since (it was just from Pxxx to Px refresh) and kinda wasn't there with my brain cells :D What about P3 ultra then? Really liked P360 with both side upgradeability, kinda better concept for me, the only thing is that on flip side of where X16 is, I'd make raised OCP 3.0 instead and two M.2/U.2 behind the connector, (to the front of WS actually) and a small venting/airflow... If it's what I think it is as I still remember from last time when deciding or one hell of WS and or one high-mid range and another compact cause I have certain usecases, so now if I max out I only use 75% resources, and I rather got a bigger ultrabook and remote in a when in cases of that small workstation would need to take around with portable monitor and kbd/pad or mouse set for certain work (the HP solution "Wolf something" was crucial for this, safety and low bandwith needed for full quality picture). Coverage with one or another type/protocol/signal is excelent, that was big factor that went that way, so I still have some path to upgrade that Z8 Fury to absolute beast mode that would kick all apartment building dark when I power it on :))) BTW, What about upcoming HP Z2 Mini G1a? I just noticed it (again, haven't HPs website also since Lenovos last time :)) and it looks like kinda those small WSs could pack a bang, but I'm curious cause some can be pretty expandable and logically designed, some could be thaaaat good but are missed opportunities... P.S.: Sorry for the novel :) ...::: Thank you and keep up the great work !!! :::...

[@KC-nd7nt]

Never . Never Never Never

[@BRuserOsaka]

useless

[@Will-sc3hw]

This is utter crap

[@MattFosdick-no3dx]

I think the point you missed on this form factor is that you can install the rtx a4000 Ada 20gb. It does wonders in ai, cad, and gaming in the micro form factor