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Dell Optiplex 3020 sff to Mt case
I am looking to swap the case on my Optiplex 3020 SFF but don't want to have to use adapters and stuff. I do not care about the looks as I just want to fit a full size GPU in it. I found a Dell Optiplex 3020 MT case on eBay and was wondering if I could just put everything from my sff into the Mt case. I am not sure if it has the same cables and stuffso if you could tell me if you know I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
redxps630
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April 11th, 2021 14:00
Psu has same pinout (8/4 pin) although SFF uses TFX form factor psu while mt uses standard ATX format. You need to buy a 3020 mt psu or any standard 24/4 pin psu + 24to8 pin adapter for 3020.
note SFF case IO shield is probably stamped in case and not removable. After transplant SFF motherboard to mt case you may lose IO shield. It is not a big deal, just rear ports may be exposed without shield. MT and SFF IO shield are different.
3020sff rear
3020mt rear
3020 SFF tear down video
redxps630
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April 11th, 2021 14:00
Mt case and SFF case have same 5 pin power switch cable so you can just plug mt pwr sw into SFF motherboard.
Both have intrusion switch and speaker, which have same pinout. You can plug those from mt in SFF too.
It looks like both MT and SFF have similar front IO panel connectors (green, yellow, black). Can probably plug mt case FIO connectors into SFF board.
Ethan
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April 12th, 2021 01:00
With the mt case I'm buying, I think it includes the power supply. If it does, will it work?
redxps630
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April 12th, 2021 18:00
yes 3020 mt psu works for sff board.
redxps630
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April 13th, 2021 07:00
more technical nuances of transplant project. 3020 mt cpu heatsink is mounted to integrated backplate of mt motherboard. 3020sff cpu heatsink on the other hand is mounted to tapped struts of SFF case without backplate. Mt case has no such struts. In order to mount generic Dell heatsink on SFF board in mt case, you need to get your own lga115# back plate with tapped holes that match the mount screw.
3020 mt board back side
3020 mt case empty
3020sff motherboard back side (no back plate)
3020sff board uses Dell proprietary 5 pin 4 wire fan for system fan. Mt board uses standard 3 pin system fan (#11). So you need to replace mt case fan with Dell 5 pin fan. It is possible that SFF uses small 80 mm fan while mt uses medium 92 mm fan.
mt system fan
SFF system fan
for your reference
SFF board
Mt board