Dell OptiPlex 980 SFF Upgrade

Optiplex 980 Tech Guide 

Top CPU:  Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 870 / 2.93GHz, 8M, VT-x, VT-d, TXT (vPro™) 

Moving to a larger case with an older BTX MB is next to impossible.  Think of BTX being the reverse of ATX.  Picture the back of a tower, and BTX has ports on the right side whereas ATX has ports on the left side.  So one wouldn't be able to upgrade to an aftermarket ATX case.  If the MB were ATX, still, there's Dell's proprietary wiring, like front I/O shield for one.

As for a larger Dell case, well, again Dell is very proprietary.  Rear port layout will differ from model to model, even if the same size.  Rear ports are attached to MB.  So, moving it to a larger case would likely involve case cutting on the case the MB is being installed in.  Might be another name for it, but another proprietary thing with Dell is the MB screw holes.

If you're looking to game and want to stick with Optiplex, MT's (mini towers) are more flexible.  In some models, PSU's can also be upgraded.  7010/7020/9010/9020 are good towers.  7020/9020 have the advantage of 4th gen CPU vs. 3rd gen.  And then there's the sportier XE2.  Even the SFF has 315w PSU and MT 365w.

What exactly are you looking for?  If there's certain games you like to play or want to, Google their recommended system requirements if you don't have that already.

Yup. Optiplex mobos fit Optiplex cases & nothing else.

Also be aware that upgrading from an i3 to an i7 processor is going to consume a lot more power and that power consumption is going to demand adequate cooling. Adding a gaming graphics card is going to do the same, in spades .... the Optiplex SFF & USFF cases don't have a lot of margin & the even the MT will probably need a PSU upgrade as well if you go the whole hog.

A modern i7 system will run faster using a lot less power and therefore run cooler and quieter, so I would think carefully before committing significant resources to upgrading what you have.

Going from 73w to 95w isn't much of a jump.  Dell's heatsinks are typically already built to handle max listed CPU.  It's also not like you'll find a bunch of different heatsinks for a 980 SFF.

I'm in agreement with bj11213 that a more modern I7 (77w) will run cooler, notably an MT.

@gopaljha, please don't forget to reply to the request of what you're looking for and etc.