1L Mini-PC 1U Rack Mount Guide: Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny (34.5mm & 36.5mm Gen 2–5) vs. Dell OptiPlex Micro vs. HP EliteDesk Mini
Exact millimeter bezel cutouts across Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny (both 34.5mm M720q/M920q and 36.5mm M70q/M80q/M90q Gen 2–5), Dell OptiPlex Micro, and HP EliteDesk Mini.
1. Exact Millimeter Cutout Differences — Including 36.5mm Lenovo Tiny Gen 2–Gen 5
Although Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny, Dell OptiPlex Micro, and HP EliteDesk/ProDesk Mini are all 1-Liter (1L) corporate desktops, their front bezel dimensions differ across brands and generations:
• Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny Classic (M710q, M715q, M720q, M910q, M920q, M920x, M70q/M80q/M90q Gen 1): 179.0 × 34.5 mm bare chassis → 179.4 × 34.8 mm laser cutout.
• Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny Gen 2–Gen 5 (M70q Gen 2–5, M80q Gen 3–4, M90q Gen 2–5, M75q Gen 5, Neo 50q Gen 4–5, ThinkStation P3 Tiny): 179.0 × 36.5 mm chassis → 179.4 × 36.8 mm laser cutout (available directly in our CAD Studio!).
• Dell OptiPlex Micro (3050, 3060, 3070, 3080, 5070, 7070, 7080, 7090, 7010, Pro Micro): 182.0 × 36.0 mm chassis → 182.4 × 36.4 mm laser cutout.
• HP EliteDesk / ProDesk Mini (400, 600, 800 G1–G9): 177.0 × 34.2 mm chassis → 177.4 × 34.5 mm laser cutout.
2. Why Dual 1L Proxmox Nodes Require Flanged 5052 Aluminum Instead of Printed Plastic
Two 1L mini-PCs plus their external 65W–135W power bricks weigh between 6.5 and 8.5 lbs and exhaust continuous 45–60°C air inside a closed rack cabinet. Standard 3D-printed PLA softens near 55°C and PETG creeps over weeks under cantilevered load, causing two-piece printed mounts to droop in the center and pinch rack units below.
A one-piece CNC laser-cut 0.080" (2.03 mm) 5052-H32 aluminum faceplate with top/bottom press-brake flanges and a rear support tray eliminates center sag completely while fitting 4 snap-in Cat6A keystone ports along the right side.
Frequently Asked Engineering Questions
Do you support the 36.5mm Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q/M90q Gen 2–Gen 5 and M75q Gen 5 models?
Yes! Unlike 3D-printed shelf makers that only fit the older 34.5mm M720q chassis, our CAD Studio includes both the 179.4×34.8mm Classic Tiny template and the 179.4×36.8mm Gen 2–Gen 5 Tiny template.
Can I mount one Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny and one Dell OptiPlex Micro on the same 1U plate?
Yes! Open our Interactive CAD Designer, select a 19-inch 1U plate, place a Lenovo Tiny cutout on the left bay and a Dell OptiPlex Micro cutout on the right bay, and order at the same $79 price.