Dell Vostro 3668
Specification and Upgrade Options
The Dell Vostro 3668 is a scalable small business desktop designed for heavy office workloads, content creation, and home flexibility. First released in 2016, it is built on the H110 chipset and supports 7th gen Intel Core processors and up to 16GB of DIMM DDR3-2133/2400 memory. Thanks to its larger chassis, it accommodates dedicated graphics cards, making it an excellent candidate for a gaming PC conversion or a high-performance workstation.
If you are looking for a system with maximum upgradability, Dell Vostro 3668 is a good option. Models in this category usually have 4x PCIe slots, several drive bays and better cooling.
Can you upgrade Dell Vostro 3668 to play games?
Yes, you can upgrade Dell Vostro 3668 for gaming with better processors, graphics card, memory, and storage devices. However, like many other business pre-built PCs, this model may have proprietary elements like the power supply, the chassis or the power connector, which can make it difficult for users to install aftermarket PSUs to support better GPUs. You can also find that there is space constrains inside the chassis, making it difficult to accommodete larger GPU to boost the gaming performance.
Does Dell Vostro 3668 support Windows 11?
No, Dell Vostro 3668 does not meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements. According to Windows 11 specification, all models with Intel 7th Gen CPU or older are not officially supported. Processor with TPM 2.0 and a UEFI Secure boot BIOS is also required in order to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 through Windows Update.
However, anyone with PC that does not pass the upgrade test can download the official Windows 11 ISO, make a bootable flash drive, and install the OS manually.
Processor
The Dell Vostro 3668 supports Gen7 Intel Core technology on a H110 chipset. 7th generation Intel Core CPUs (Kaby Lake) refine Skylake with higher clocks and better media support. Performance depends on the specific SKU, with high-end models well-suited for programming, virtualization, and homelab use. Emulation performance is strong for most platforms, while CPU-heavy gaming and advanced emulation may still be constrained by core counts.
Best CPUs for Dell Vostro 3668 upgrade:
| Model | Cores (Threads) | Base frequency | Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 7500 | 4(4) | 3.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Core i5 7600 | 4(4) | 3.5 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
| Core i7 7700 | 4(8) | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
GPU upgrade
To upgrade the GPU of OptiPlex 7040 SFF, a low-power, low-profile graphics card must be used. Currently, the most reasonable GPU option is AMD's Radeon RX 6400 low profile. This model has a good price point, delivers decent FPS, and does not require any addtional hardware upgrades.
The low power requirements of this model make it the perfect option for an SFF gaming build. The RX 6400 low does not need any additional power from the PSU and can rely solely on the power delivered by the PCIe slot (75W).
GPU upgrade options for Dell Vostro 3668 with the stock 240W power supply:
| GPU | Power consumption | Memory | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX 6400 Low profile | 50 W | 4 GB DDR6 | Works with no additional hardware changes |
| GTX 1050 Ti Low profile | 75 W | 4 GB DDR5 | Works with no additional hardware changes |
| GTX 1650 Low profile | 75 W | 4 GB DDR5 | Works with no additional hardware changes |
| RTX A2000 Low profile | 70 W | 6 GB DDR6 12 GB DDR6 |
Works with no additional hardware changes |
Keep in mind that these low-profile, low-power GPUs can be quite noisy and may run hot when under full load.
Memory
Dell Vostro 3668 supports up to 16 GB of DIMM DDR3-2133/2400 RAM across two DIMM slots, with memory speeds up to 2400 MT/s and dual-channel support depending on the installed configuration.
Actual supported memory capacity and memory channels may vary depending on the installed CPU and chipset.
Typical Dell Vostro 3668 memory configurations include 8 GB for everyday productivity and 16 GB for gaming, heavier multitasking, or professional workloads.
Wi-Fi Support
Dell Vostro 3668 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo card with the on-board M.2 2230 (Wi-Fi/BT) slot. The card contains a Wi-Fi module that supports various Wi-Fi standards, as well as a Bluetooth module. It is small circuit board that is designed to fit into a dedicated slot on the motherboard.
Keep in mind that the card is not always included and you have to install one yourself.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless adapter upgrades for Dell Vostro 3668:
| Model | Speed | Frequency | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi 6E (Gig+) Kit | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Rekong AX210 | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Gigabyte GC-Wbax200 | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer TX50E | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer T9UH | 1300 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | USB 3.0 |
Ports
Dell Vostro 3668 provides a fixed set of external I/O ports for connecting peripherals and displays. Port availability and versions determine supported data transfer speeds and display capabilities.
USB ports
Dell Vostro 3668 includes six USB ports in total in the following configuration - (4x)USB-A 2.0; (2x)USB-A 3.0; with no USB 3.1 ports available.
Video ports
Dell Vostro 3668 does not include a DisplayPort output.
HDMI output is provided via one HDMI 1.4 port.
Motherboard video outputs require a CPU with integrated graphics. Systems equipped with a dedicated GPU must use the video ports on the graphics card instead.
SSD storage - M.2 sockets and SATA ports
The Dell Vostro 3668 comes with four SATA port(s) for connecting storage devices.
Unfortunately, the Dell Vostro 3668 has no M.2 PCIe soket and you have to rely on the available SATA ports to connect your drives.
The M.2 PCIe SSD connector in combination with an NVMe drive allows for higher transfer rates, compared to the old SATA interface. In some situations, NVMe device connected to the M.2 PCIe socket can be more than 5 times faster.
*Keep in mind that some M.2 connectors may not support SATA SSDs. Check the motherboard manual to confirm compatibility.
Power Supply
The Dell Vostro 3668 comes with a 240 Watt PSU. Having a power supply with high power rating is important, especially if you are doing upgrade with addtional components, like dedicated GPU and more HDDs. Will this 240 W be enough, it all depends on your specific use. Please keep in mind that some models might have more than one PSU option. Whenever possible get the most powerful one, as it might make future upgrades easier.
