 | |
 Dell Optiplex 790 | |
| Manufacturer | Dell |
|---|---|
| Product family | Optiplex |
| Type | Desktop computer |
| Release date | Early 2011 |
| Introductory price | $796 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-2100 @ 3.1 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB (DDR3 1333 MHz) |
| Storage | 512 GB ADATA SU760 |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics |
| Connectivity | 10 USB 2.0, 1 Serial port, 1 VGA port, 1 DisplayPort, 2 PS/2 ports, 4 Audio jacks |
| Website | https://www.dell.com |
The Dell Optiplex 790 is a business-oriented desktop computer from the early 2010s. There were multiple form factors and configurations for this model. Like with most Dell Optiplex systems, there's a mid-tower, desktop, small form factor, and ultra-small form factor option. Internally, a 2nd gen Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 could be chosen. The default graphics card is the integrated Intel HD Graphics, but could be upgraded to various different AMD Radeon HD 6350 or 6450 configurations. Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate could be installed by default and the system supports up to 16 GB of DDR3 memory.
Collection Specifics
I bought this Optiplex 790 for $60 on eBay on November 2, 2021. I originally bought it to use as a dedicated Minecraft server for a short time. Since then though, I started experimenting with Windows Server things like Active Directory and Windows Server Update Services (especially useful for easily updating computers running Windows 2000, XP, and Vista!). Additionally, this computer hosts this very website and wiki!
Unfortunately, there was a short power outage on November 2, 2024 that took out this computer - it does not turn on anymore. I quickly sourced and replaced it with my new Dell Optiplex 5050 to minimize website downtime.
Operating System
Originally, this computer would've shipped with Windows 7 Professional. However, due to my intent for this computer from the beginning to be a server, I installed Ubuntu Server at first. At the time, though, I was unable to use Ethernet, so I had a USB Wi-Fi adapter that only had unofficial Linux drivers that appeared to be pretty unreliable sometimes. Eventually, I got fed up with the Wi-Fi issues and wanted to play around with Windows Server, so that's how that came to be. Now, I do have an Ethernet connection for the server and most of my desktop computers.
Since this computer is currently non-functioning, the SSD has been removed and there is no operating system installed at this time.
Hardware
The only upgrade I've done to this computer since I bought it was replace the hard drive it came with, with a solid state drive.