The 4K Dell OptiMac - 9020 MT - Core i7-4790 - Radeon RX 570 - LG 4K IPS Monitor

[bjay77]

Oh, I know the feeling - there's always something to improve I must have misread your profile info - I thought it said i7-4790 - my bad!

If you take a look at https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-4770/2384vs1978 there's apparently only a performance increase of 10% - my guess is still that in everyday use, you won't be able to feel much of a difference, if any at all.

If you were faced with starting your build and had the choice, obviously you should go for the 4790K over the 4770 if price diff was neglible. But as a performance mod if you're looking for something, I'd go for getting for instance an NVMe SSD and setting up to run the OS from that instead (if you haven't already)

Cheers t33, I have used the userbenchmark comparison when I was wondering if i should look for a 4790 but that was only a 2-3% increase, 10% is better, depends how cheap I can get a 4790k for and what i could sell the 4770 for. As you say though, I probably wouldn't notice the difference too much... I already have a nvme ssd running in a silverstone pci card for macos. Windows 10 is banished to an 860 evo!

 

[trs96]

I'm tempted to get one and test fit it without the thermal paste etc...could always return it if its a fail. What do you think?

The main problem would likely be that the screws are threaded differently. The CM install depends on the four mounting holes to be open. So that would make the existing backplate removal mandatory. It's not what I would attempt to do. Even if you could put the CM metal backplate over the existing one, these four small "bumps" create a spacing problem.

As usual Dell does it's best to prevent use of any third party hardware as much as possible. Using the CM i70c makes the install as easy as putting the Dell OEM cooler on. Just need to adapt the 5 pin fan header to four pin.

If you want to try it, make sure the seller has a good return policy so you can get a full refund if needed.

 

[trs96]

The perfect 500W replacement PSU for your Optiplex MT​

https://www.newegg.com/evga-500-bq-110-bq-0500-k1-500w/p/N82E16817438101

These have a 10 dollar rebate (ended 9/4) so your total cost will be about $59.99 USD plus shipping.

These fit perfectly in the Dell case as they are 140mm, a drop in replacement for the OEM Dell PSU. The other great thing is that they are semi-modular so no cable clutter in your Optiplex case. Haven't seen a good 80+ bronze PSU at this price for some time. Amazon is out of stock but you can still order it for the same price there. Ships later this month.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3OAFHD/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

|__________________________________ 140mm _________________________________|

 

[brousseau6933]

The perfect 500W replacement PSU for your Optiplex MT​

https://www.newegg.com/evga-500-bq-110-bq-0500-k1-500w/p/N82E16817438101

These have a 10 dollar rebate (ended 9/4) so your total cost will be about $59.99 USD plus shipping.

These fit perfectly in the Dell case as they are 140mm, a drop in replacement for the OEM Dell PSU. The other great thing is that they are semi-modular so no cable clutter in your Optiplex case. Haven't seen a good 80+ bronze PSU at this price for some time.

|__________________________________ 140mm _________________________________|
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I guess it still needs an adapter for the PS connection on the Dell motherboard?

 

[trs96]

I guess it still needs an adapter for the PS connection on the Dell motherboard?

Yes, they don't come with one.

 

[nicksoph]

Anybody running Catalina using Clover or OC get all the CPU speeds?

I get 800mhz and then jumps to 2.1 Ghz think missing a few in between. Looking with Hackintool I get the attached.

Edit: All working - Without eGPU, With Catalina, the BIOS CFG unlocked in firmware and no DSDT for the processor and everything unticked in kernel and kext. All the clock speeds appear to work. Config.plist has new, untested serial numbers

 

[vbmota]

Sorry for the laziness to look for more, but has anyone run Big Sur on 9020SFF? Any direction to install Opencore that is directed to this configuration?

 

[trs96]

Sorry for the laziness to look for more, but has anyone run Big Sur on 9020SFF? Any direction to install Opencore that is directed to this configuration?

The Dell OptiMac Big Sur/OpenCore Thread - For 7020/9020 Optiplex Desktops

Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 Desktops macOS 11 Big Sur This is a separate "cousin" thread to the main Golden Build thread for the Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 desktops. That focuses primarily on macOS Mojave/Catalina. There is a massive amount of useful info in the Golden Build thread that applies to...

www.tonymacx86.com

 

[bjay77]

Does anyone have any questions or comments on the case transfer process ? Is it completely clear what you need to do to accomplish that ? Is anyone going to try it ?

The power switch workaround and having the front I/O from Dell inside your case is not ideal but it's something that is workable if you must have more interior room and better airflow for your individual use scenario. If your Optimac is just for general use and you don't have a 580 or better, don't stress the CPU a lot, then there is really no advantage to moving to a new case. Best to just leave the mobo inside the Dell case and save the extra time and expense of transferring.

Hi Trs, was going over your case transfer posts and the updates to post 3 and have a couple of questions about the power button and front io.
1. The cooler master s400 I have coming has only the power switch and LED +/- cables (see pic). If I connect the power switch to the black and yellow wires, the led+ to orange and the led- to blue, will I still get the error and have to press F1 at boot? I read that jumping the blue and red wire fixes this but im not sure if connecting the orange and blue does the same?
2. I plan to connect the cases usb 3 cable to the board and the usb2 cable to the spare usb2 header on the board. Do i need to keep the dell front Io connected to the 19 pin connector on the board to avoid errors or can I just disconnect it if I don't need the audio jacks?

 

[trs96]

If I connect the power switch to the black and yellow wires, the led+ to orange and the led- to blue, will I still get the error and have to press F1 at boot?

I tried this and yes, it still required F1. My solution was to disconnect the LED + and - wires and then jumper the two middle pins permanently. You don't have to buy the 6 pin adapter from Harbin Repairs shown below for it to work either.

Do i need to keep the dell front Io connected to the 19 pin connector on the board to avoid errors

I keep mine connected and then there are no error messages.