Dell's OptiPlex series computers populate offices across the world. Dell produces the business desktops in full-tower and slim-tower or "small form factor" versions. The OptiPlex 330, released in 2008, uses a BTX motherboard specially fitted to OptiPlex cases. The developers configured the hardware on this motherboard specifically for use with Windows Vista.
Processor Socket
Dell's OptiPlex computers use Intel processors. The socket type on this motherboard, Land-Grid Array (LGA) 775, supports Celeron, Pentium and up to Core 2 Duo lines of processors. Speeds of either 800 megahertz (MHz) or 1066 MHz are supported. A maximum of 6 megabytes (MB) of Level 2 cache is supported.
Memory Support
Two memory bays on the motherboard are inside an OptiPlex 330. The computers shipped with Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) type memory in speeds of either 667 MHz or 800 MHz. The 330 supports up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of memory when running a 64-bit operating system. Only up to 3 GB are used on 32-bit versions of Windows. Each memory bay can take up to 2 GB. The minimum amount of memory shipped with this model was 512 MB.
Drive Support
The motherboard in this model supports up to four Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) drives and up to two 40-pin Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) drives on one IDE cable. The small form factor version supports up to two SATA drives instead of four. Dell built the 330 with an IDE optical drive and a SATA hard drive. To use both drive types, employ a power supply that also supports SATA and IDE. One floppy drive also is supported.
Graphics
On-board graphics are provided by Intel's G31 chipset. This model chipset includes the Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 with 3D enhancements and support for ActiveX 9.0c. This chipset was designed specifically to handle Windows Vista's Aero interface. Alternatively, you can install a graphics card in the 16x speed PCI expansion slot.
Ports
Legacy ports on the OptiPlex 330 motherboard include the parallel port for old printers and a serial port. Most home users do not need these ports. However some businesses use devices that require them. Other ports include the VGA monitor port, an RJ-45 Ethernet jack for connecting to a wired network, two PS/2 connectors for older keyboards and mice and a total of six USB ports. Two USB ports are on the front. The system includes a pair of line-in and line-out audio jacks on this board as well.
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