Install an SSD in your Dell Optiplex 745, 755, 760, 780 minitower
I’ve been blown away by the performance improvements that SSDs make, even in older computers. The desktops that I sold for years was the minitower version of the Dell Optiplex 745, 755, 760 and 780. Since the hard drive bracket in those models is made for a 3.5 inch hard drive, SSDs don’t fit. I tried a few of the popular 3.5 to 2.5 inch adapters, but they didn’t work (as shown in this good blog post).
I finally found an adapter that does the job, not perfectly, but it’s not bad. It is a Mushkin 2.5″ to 3.5″ SSD adapter (Amazon link).
Install it in the adapter this like this and it pops into the Dell hard drive caddy (it only fits with two of the four holes, but it is relatively secure), then stick it in the case and you are ready to fly!
Thanks for the recommendation. I have a 745 and just successfully installed my first SSD thanks to your article.
Thank you for sharing of this information. I used this adapter for the past installations. The problem with this thing is that it is longer on one side. So you can not just turn it around like you would need it, because of the position of the holes. You can see this in my blogpost, maybe it helps someone who bought this adapter too: http://blog.devilatwork.de/ssd-in-einem-dell-optiplex-nachruesten/
The 745 (desktop) dualcore does not have AHCI support, tried 2 SSD drives no luck. Internet says this model is therefore not compatible. Just so you know. I think the small and ultrasmall do work though.