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From: me on 4 Mar 2010 15:59
Can anyone who owns an Optiplex 380 tell me how the
case build is on it?

Or one the Optiplex line general?

Sturdy case with quick easy access to innards?

Plenty of cooling?
From: William R. Walsh on 5 Mar 2010 11:12
Hi!

> Or one the Optiplex line general?

They're all very good. I have personal experience with the GX520,
GX620 (same thing as a 520 but with a 16-lane PCI Express video slot)
and OptiPlex 210L.

All share the same basic BTX concept design, although the 210L has a
heavy plastic front over a metal case body unlike the others, where
metal is more prominent and plastic is thinner. All cases open without
tools using a pull handle at the back. There is a "padlock loop" in
this, or a place to put a Kensington lock if you are worried about
computer parts walking off.

Cards install without tools, as do hard drives. 3.5" devices (card
reader, floppy drive, etc) and 5.25" devices do require a screwdriver
to put the fastening screws (hidden in the case) into place. Memory
modules are pretty well readily accessible. Cables are easily and
sensibly routed. Taking the processor out is more involved, but how
often are you going to be doing that? (Answer: probably never.)

The 360/380 are budget machines similar to the 210L, and their build
is pretty much the same as the 520/620. If you demand a video card
slot, you may need to make sure the 380 has one. As it's a budget
machine, it might not.

I find the cases to be very sturdy for what they are. They compare
very favorably to anything else on the market.

> Plenty of cooling?

Definitely. These are BTX systems and they have a HUGE front fan that
is thermally controlled. If it needs to do so, it will really get to
moving the air.

The power supply is of good quality in these systems and appears to
uphold the tradition of being somewhat underrated in terms of
capacity. In other words, it will run what you want without incident.

William
From: me on 5 Mar 2010 14:09
"William R. Walsh" <wm_walsh(a)hotmail.com> wrote:

> If you demand a video card
>slot, you may need to make sure the 380 has one. As it's a budget
>machine, it might not.

Yes I will need a spare video card slot

Will install HDTV tuner with appropriate video outs
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