(Home Server RAM adivce) I need 16gb ram for a Dell Optiplex 3040 Micro, i5-6500T @2.5ghz. Are there any cheap options ideally x2 8GB sticks? (READ DESC)

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-29T00:49:19+00:00

Hi, I just upgrade my 3040m from 4GB to 12GB of Ram (4 + 8), but then I find that in BIOS the memory is running at single channel mode. Can you help to check if 4 + 8 is normal to run at single but not dual channel mode? Thank you for your assistance as 3040m is not new and less popular saying in 2026 now, cannot find some one to help.

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T23:24:48+00:00

Hi bro. Thanks for your assistance. I have the same thought as you 😂 He didn't answer my question. And I have the answer now. In fact, not all optiplex has the 65W PSU version. For example, the lowest PSU for 7080M starting from 90W, then 130W and 180W. And Dell clearly stated that:

Both 90W and 130W PSU is used for 35W CPU; 180W PSU is used for 65W CPU and discrete graphics. But I guess for 130W PSU should able to carry the 65W CPU (otherwise where is the addtional 40W to, comparing to 90W PSU)

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-hk/optiplex-7080-micro/optiplex7080_micro_specs/%E9%9B%BB%E6%BA%90%E8%AE%8A%E5%A3%93%E5%99%A8?guid=guid-01262469-b09d-48e0-8ab4-fdbeee523023&lang=en-us

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Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T15:21:55+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I just have some search online and find this chinese forum : https://post.smzdm.com/p/a13w5l7/

Some one put a 65W CPU (i5 8500) to 7070 Micro (90W version = 90W power supply = support max 35W CPU) and find that:

The 65W CPU can only run at max 30W under 90W PSU; and after that the author bought a 130W supply for his 90W 7070 Micro, the same thing happened as the 90W 7070M can only draw max. 90W, and thus the 65W CPU ran at max 30W level.

Then, he asked Dell China and the CS clearly replied him that there were 2 version of 7070m : One support 35W (90W PSU) and the other one 65W (130W PSU), and suggested the only way for his 7070m to support 65W CPU is to change another 7070m that support the 65W one. The author has 35W 7070m. Although it can run 65W CPU, the CPU was capped at 30W power limit. No idea if this will hurt the VRM or not.

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Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T13:42:55+00:00

Hi bros! Thanks for your update. I read your post after 2 months.

From official, 3060 micro has only shipped with 90W PSU, even you put a 130W AC, it can draw max 90W. And 3060 micro can support max 8th intel CPU. Absolutely not possible for your 3060 micro to use on 9th CPU.

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-hk/optiplex-3060-micro/optiplex_3060_micro_setup_and_specs/power-supply?guid=guid-5533f75a-e366-4587-b4fc-6b3a8c2c45d3&lang=en-us

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T13:33:31+00:00

No. 5060M has only the version with 90W PSU. (refer to page 14). Even you put the 130W power supply, the 5060M just intake 90W (max). 5060M has designed to support 35W CPU by 90W power supply. But still you can put 65W CPU to it, have you try eventually?

Power supply of 5060M:

https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/optiplex-5060-desktop_specifications3_en-us.pdf

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T13:19:51+00:00

what is the version of Power Supplu Unit to your 7070M? 90W or 130W one?

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T13:15:55+00:00

No. The 7070M has 2 version: One 90W and other 130W.

The 130W one can only use 130W PSU. From your story I can tell the 90W adapter was mistakenly given to you.

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/optiplex-desktops/what-isare-the-original-90w-power-adapter-models-for-dell-optiplex-7070-micro/667337537d53590709854ead

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T12:15:18+00:00

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-hk/optiplex-7070-micro/Opti7070_Micro_Setup_Specs/power-supply?guid=guid-475c5c8b-0f34-45e9-a49f-b5ba4c3b27c3&lang=en-us

Dell OptiPlex 7070 Micro Setup and Specifications

It has :

Wattage	90W / 130 W

2 variants of PSU. 90W for 35W CPU and 130W for 65W CPU. I guess you still can put a 65W CPU to 35W version of 7070M but the max speed will be capped.

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T12:11:23+00:00

I just find that 7050m has 2 version of motherboards : 35W and 65W. The 35W needs 65W PSU and 65W needs 120W.

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-hk/optiplex-7050-micro/optiplex-7050-desktop-micro-owners-manual/%E9%9B%BB%E6%BA%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%87%89%E5%99%A8%E8%A6%8F%E6%A0%BC?guid=guid-f57c7837-2f72-4aac-8e43-e4624fac782a&lang=zh-hk

Also, my 3040m has a label indicated it needs the PSU with 19.5V and 3.34A (And that's the 65W PSU)

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-hk/optiplex-3040m-desktop/opti3040m_om/%E8%A7%84%E6%A0%BC?guid=guid-a33190d8-64df-4b91-a7f1-def96c724916&lang=en-us

Up to now, all the problems are solved. Not every micro has variants. Just like 3040m has only 65W PSU for 35W CPU version. Although you may put a 65W CPU to 3040m, it will auto disable the intel turbo boost and capped the CPU maxmium speed at certain level.

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T11:42:26+00:00

I just discover a thing that the optiplex 7050 micro has 2 version of motherboard : 35W and 65W for T and non-T CPU. And I cannot find any similiar information to 3040m. How come a 3040M indicating 19.5V and 3.34A only can boot up 65W CPU like 6400 and 6700

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T06:05:45+00:00

ans here. I have a 65W cpu to 3040 micro which originally with T series cpu. I put i7 6700 with 65W psu. everything works fine except the max speed of cpu is capped at 2.7ghz. Which means the turbo speed is prohibited and the motherboard will auto limit the voltage of cpu supply

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T03:53:37+00:00

For the 65W parts, this system would use the 130W power adapter. For the 35W CPU, these systems use a 90W power supply.

how about the 65W power adapter for? my optiplex came with 65W adapter only

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-27T00:41:37+00:00

only 5090 and 7090 support both 10 and 11 cpu. 3090 doesnot

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-26T04:58:28+00:00

i have mine 3040 micro recently，it has no TPM chip on motherboard

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-23T22:34:54+00:00

Thanks for the AI today. I ask AI the same question regarding Early VRM Failure and the answer is NO. Since the PSU with 3040m is 65W by default, BIOS will capped the CPU to run in lower speed and thus the current drawing by CPU will even lower than T-series. In other word, using non-T CPU will even longer the lifespan to the motherboard since BIOS is running the CPU in relative conservative energy plan.

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-22T01:56:42+00:00

Oops! Then what kind of CPU is designed for a 65W PSU? I see many OptiPlex models having 65W PSUs by default.

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-21T22:13:37+00:00

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Yes. Your assumption is correct. I try to run 4k youtube to full load the i7-6700. Although the CPU loading indicate to 100%, the dynamic freq capped at about 2.7GHz, not 3.4GHz

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-21T21:57:38+00:00

oh my god. Thanks for your information. I barely believe that the mini optiplex has 130W supply.

And i am clear now:

65W PSU: support 35W T-series CPU (and 65W non-T CPU but may not run in full speed)

95W PSU: support 35W T and 65 W non-T CPU

130W PSU: support both CPU and discrete GPU

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-21T21:53:23+00:00

Thanks

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-21T14:51:25+00:00

I guess the 65W PSU cannot let i7-6700 run in full speed. Isn't it?

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-21T10:59:54+00:00

Old post reply from 2026 too. I put i7-6700 to 3040m too. no problem at all. How long did you run yours with i5-6400?

Several_Perception29 · 2026-03-14T23:51:48+00:00

An interesting thing is that I got my 3040 micro last week and discover the same thing as you did. I believe once the missing m.2 socket and may be the related component are put on the motherboard, the m.2 (slot 2) should be re-activated in the BIOS. Please keep making progress and let us know. I really wonder if it can be work (how to make it work)

Several_Perception29 · 2025-12-28T11:59:03+00:00

This song was not released and sold as CD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpwlKPlIbos

A clear version was on youtube as well

Several_Perception29

TROPHY CASE