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.
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Download FREE AEjuice PluginsThe 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.
Users of online video editing forums (such as r/videoediting on Reddit) have 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.
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 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.