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Is the Dell Desktop Optiplex 7020 the best desktop you can buy to use for video editing, VFX, color grading, 3D modeling and other post-production tasks? In this review, we'll dive deep into the factors that determine its functionality.
The Optiplex 7020 is a powerful PC made by Dell in the mid-2010s. It was originally part of Dell's Optiplex series which consisted of business-class desktop computers, designed for use in corporate environments. Many owners also use it for video editing and gaming because it is highly capable of doing so. The 7020 model is one of the most popular versions known for its high performance, reliable hardware, and sturdy build quality, which explains why it's popular among those who use it for video editing work as well as multitasking on different applications.
As a seasoned web developer, I often find myself immersed in various tech gadgets and desktops to meet my diverse work requirements. The Dell Optiplex 7020 has been my mainstay for a while now, so I thought it's about time I share my hands-on experience with this humble powerhouse.
I really think this is the best dell desktop for video editing (from 2014 lol)! Users of online video editing forums (such as r/videoediting on Reddit) have also suggested that the Dell Desktop Optiplex 7020 is one of the most ideal computers you can buy on a tight budget if you intend to use it for video editing. Not only does it only cost around $300 in refurbished condition, but it also meets most of the technical requirements set by the developers of popular editing software such as Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve And Adobe After Effects.
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I came across the Dell Optiplex 7020 while I was in search of a cost-effective, performance-driven desktop for my video editing needs. This was around two years ago when I was working on a massive project involving heavy video editing tasks.
The Dell Optiplex 7020 comes equipped with an Intel i5 processor, which is renowned for its efficiency and robust performance. This mid-range processor, despite not being the most powerful in the Intel lineup, is an impressive performer when it comes to handling everyday tasks or running heavy applications like Adobe Premiere Pro. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the Optiplex 7020 delivers an effective multitasking environment, allowing me to run multiple apps and tasks simultaneously without experiencing a slowdown.
During my regular work hours, which typically involves coding, running multiple browser tabs, design tools, and local servers, the Optiplex 7020 performed smoothly. The desktop handled the load efficiently, with zero lag, thanks to the powerful i5 processor and the ample 8GB RAM.
When it came to video editing, the performance of the Optiplex 7020 was surprisingly impressive. Video editing is typically resource-intensive and demands a high level of processing power and memory. Despite these challenges, the Optiplex 7020 proved to be a competent performer.
I specifically recall a project where I had to edit an hour-long video. The video was filled with overlays, transitions, and a variety of special effects – all of which added layers of complexity. Handling this level of detail typically exerts a lot of strain on the processor and memory. But the Optiplex 7020 was up to the task.
With Adobe Premiere Pro - a software known for its resource-intensive nature - running on this desktop, I was able to edit the video seamlessly. The desktop handled the rendering of transitions, the processing of effects, and the addition of overlays efficiently. There was no noticeable lag, and the editing process was smooth and uninterrupted.
Completing such an intricate task in a span of 6 hours was a testament to the Optiplex 7020's capabilities. It's worth noting that such a timeline would not be possible without a machine that is powerful enough to handle the heavy demands of video editing software, and capable enough to render complex elements of the video without any hiccups.
To give you a sense of the performance capabilities of the Dell Optiplex 7020, I conducted a few rendering tests using full-HD videos. In one of these tests, I took a 10-minute video, densely packed with special effects, transitions, and multiple video layers, and rendered it using Adobe Premiere Pro on the Optiplex 7020.
To my delight, this desktop managed to render the entire video in just under 15 minutes. This kind of performance is quite impressive, considering the nature of the video and the complexity of the effects used. Rendering a video is a process that involves converting the raw video files and the applied effects into a final, playable video file. The fact that this desktop could accomplish such a task in under 15 minutes speaks volumes about its processing power and efficiency.
By comparison, my previous desktop, which was a similarly-priced machine but with an older processor, used to take around 30 minutes to render the same 10-minute video. This meant that the Optiplex 7020 effectively cut the rendering time by half, thereby saving me a considerable amount of time in the long run.
Over the span of two years, I consistently observed similar performance from the Optiplex 7020. Despite its intensive use and the heavy processing demand from video editing and rendering tasks, the machine held up remarkably well. There were no significant slowdowns or decreases in performance, which reaffirmed the reliability and durability of this desktop.
Considering the price point, the Optiplex 7020 outperforms many desktops in the same range, such as the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 and HP EliteDesk 800 G1. While these models also boast an i5 processor, they fell short in terms of video rendering speed and multitasking capability in my personal experience.
The value proposition of the Optiplex 7020 becomes particularly apparent when comparing the video rendering performance. In direct tests with similar 10-minute full-HD video projects, both the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 and HP EliteDesk 800 G1 lagged behind.
On the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73, the same video project took approximately 25 minutes to render, about 10 minutes more than what the Optiplex 7020 clocked. The HP EliteDesk 800 G1 fared slightly better, taking around 20 minutes for the same task. This discrepancy in performance became even more apparent when I began working on larger, more complex video projects.
In terms of multitasking capabilities, the Optiplex 7020 again had an edge. I often find myself juggling between coding platforms, design tools, video editing software, and countless browser tabs. With the Optiplex 7020, I could smoothly switch between applications without experiencing significant slowdowns or the infamous 'hang' we all dread.
On the other hand, while using the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 and HP EliteDesk 800 G1, I noticed a notable decline in speed when running several applications concurrently. Both these machines started showing signs of struggle, especially when video editing software was thrown into the mix of active applications.
An additional advantage with the Optiplex 7020 is its configuration flexibility. Unlike many of its competitors in the same price range, it offers various options for upgrading, such as increased RAM or a better hard drive. While the stock configuration comes with 8GB of RAM, I found that expanding it to 16GB significantly enhanced the performance, especially for memory-intensive tasks like video editing.
Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 and HP EliteDesk 800 G1 were more restrictive in this aspect, limiting their upgrade potential and thus, their future usability.
In terms of value for money, the Optiplex 7020 does pack a punch. It offers robust performance for video editing tasks without leaving a huge dent in your wallet. However, if you're looking to work on 4K videos or wish to run high-end video editing software, you might need to consider a more advanced (and likely pricier) alternative.
The Optiplex 7020 is equipped with integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600. While this isn't the top-end graphics option you would find in high-priced gaming desktops, it holds up pretty well for full HD video editing. It's also worth mentioning that heavy video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro ran smoothly, thanks to the efficient RAM management.
Short Answer - yes, and no. It depends on what software you're planning to use and the videos you're trying to create. If you're intending to edit 4K UHD 60FPS 3D compositions, then this PC may not be the best option for you, If you plan on using the PC for editing basic YouTube videos on Premiere Pro, then
The Dell OptiPlex 7020 462-5902 Small Form Factor Desktop Computer boasts a formidable 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5-4590 quad-core processor, capable of smoothly running multiple windows of After Effects and additional plugins at the same time. The processing power can even be increased to 3.7 GHz for more demanding tasks such as motion tracking and rotographing. The dedicated AMD Radeon R5 240 graphics card, with 1GB of dedicated memory, provides reliable and efficient support for most video editing processes.
The Dell OptiPlex 7020 can support up to 16GB of DDR3 memory, allowing for ample memory allocation during video editing processes. It's also perfect for running Premiere Pro and After Effects as it reaches the minimum requirements. The additional memory enhances the computer's ability to handle large and complex video files, as well as support demanding tasks such as timeline multitasking, keyframing, and the application of color grading effects.
Intel Core i7 4th Gen 3.4 GHz is included in the base model. if this isn't enough for you, you can just upgrade it.
Apart from the factors listed above, a good video editing computer should also have a dedicated graphics card. It's essential for video editing as it provides the additional processing power necessary to handle demanding video editing tasks, such as rendering and effects. Without a dedicated graphics card, the CPU will have to do the majority of the work, which can result in slow performance and long rendering times.
Another performance requirement that video editing computers should have is a fast and large storage solution, such as an SSD or a combination of an SSD and a traditional hard drive. This will ensure that large video files can be loaded and edited quickly, and that the computer has sufficient space to store multiple projects.
The Dell Optiplex 7020 features both a sufficient storage hard drive and capabilities to use your own graphics card, making it a great choice for editors who plan on upgrading in the future without having to spend an entire new budget on a new computer.
While the Optiplex 7020 is a great computer for editing videos on, it may not be the best option for all types of editors. First and foremost, if you edit or want to edit ultra HD and high framerate videos, you'll be struggling to do so on this PC as it is not fully capable of processing such high resolution frames. There is also the Limited upgradability issue: While the Optiplex 7020 has some upgrade options, it may not be possible to upgrade certain components, such as the hard drive, which can limit its performance for more demanding video editing tasks.
The Dell OptiPlex 7020 is not exactly a spring chicken. The model was first introduced back in 2014, making it about nine years old in 2023. However, its performance and configuration flexibility have allowed it to remain a popular choice, particularly among professionals seeking budget-friendly desktop options.
The Dell OptiPlex 7020 provides ample room for expansion when it comes to RAM. It can comfortably accommodate up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM, allowing users to significantly enhance its performance, particularly for memory-intensive tasks.
The Dell OptiPlex 7020 comes with 4th generation Intel processors, also known as the Haswell series. These processors strike a fine balance between performance and power efficiency.
Interestingly, the OptiPlex 7020 does not come with built-in WiFi in its standard configuration. However, it does provide the option to add a wireless card during purchase or you can add one later.
To connect your Dell OptiPlex to WiFi, you would first need to ensure it has a wireless network card installed. Once that's confirmed, you can follow these steps:
Why can't my Dell desktop connect to Wi-Fi? If you're not seeing a Wi-Fi option, it could mean your OptiPlex 7020 doesn't have a wireless network card installed, which is not uncommon for this model. You may need to purchase and install a wireless card or opt for a USB Wi-Fi adapter to gain wireless capabilities.
As mentioned, to connect your OptiPlex 7020 to Wi-Fi without a cable, you'll need to have a wireless card installed or a USB Wi-Fi adapter plugged in. Once either of those is set up, you can follow the Wi-Fi connection steps mentioned above.
Yes, the Dell OptiPlex, and particularly the 7020 model, is a solid choice for a desktop computer. It offers a robust performance-to-price ratio, and its flexibility in terms of upgrades adds to its appeal. While it's not the newest model on the market, its performance is commendable, especially for professional tasks like video editing.
OptiPlex is a line of desktop computers from Dell. It's not a laptop series. These machines are designed with business and professional use in mind, offering powerful performance and flexibility for various tasks.
The Dell OptiPlex 7020 does not come with a built-in microphone in its standard configuration. However, it does have microphone input ports that allow you to connect an external microphone for voice recording or communication purposes.
The Dell Desktop Optiplex 7020 can be a good option for video editing, as it offers a powerful processor, ample storage and memory options, and a compact form factor. However, it may not be the best choice for all video editing needs, as it may have limitations in terms of upgradability, older technology, lack of built-in dedicated graphics card, and limited connectivity options. So overall, whether the Optiplex 7020 is a good choice for video editing will depend on the specific requirements of the video editor and the projects they are working on.
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Email: jack@freevisuals.net
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