Dell PowerEdge R640 Servers

The Dell PowerEdge R640 is a performance-optimized, 1U rack server designed to deliver dense compute power, memory scalability, and versatile storage configurations in a compact footprint. Purpose-built for data-intensive workloads such as virtualization, high-performance computing (HPC), software-defined storage (SDS), and dense private cloud environments, the R640 combines flexibility and power to drive IT transformation. It supports dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors, high-speed DDR4 memory, and a variety of storage options including NVMe, making it ideal for organizations that demand high compute density without sacrificing performance. Designed for data centers, edge deployments, and enterprise workloads alike, the R640 is a powerful, scalable platform with built-in automation and intelligent system management.

Performance

The Dell PowerEdge R640 leverages dual-socket architecture supporting up to two 1st or 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, offering up to 28 cores per CPU (56 total cores). These processors support Intel technologies such as AVX-512, Turbo Boost, and Speed Shift for optimal performance across compute-heavy workloads like virtualization, real-time analytics, and data-intensive applications. With up to 3TB of RAM (in 2nd Gen CPU configurations with LRDIMMs), the R640 excels in memory-constrained applications and supports demanding virtual environments with ease. Its compact 1U chassis offers exceptional compute density per rack unit, outperforming many 2U systems in core count and throughput. This makes it especially well-suited for environments with space constraints but no compromise on processing power.

Memory and Scalability

The PowerEdge R640 supports up to 24 DDR4 DIMM slots, enabling up to 1.5TB with RDIMMs or up to 3TB with LRDIMMs in configurations with select Xeon CPUs. Memory speeds up to 2933 MT/s ensure high bandwidth and low latency, improving workload responsiveness in applications like VDI or in-memory databases. Support for ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory ensures data integrity and operational reliability across mission-critical environments. With scalability designed into its architecture, the R640 enables businesses to start small and expand memory as workloads increase. This makes it a solid long-term investment for organizations anticipating growth in virtualization, containerization, or AI workloads.

Storage Flexibility

The Dell PowerEdge R640 supports a variety of storage configurations to meet diverse performance and capacity needs. Options include:

• Up to 10 x 2.5" drives (SATA, SAS, or NVMe)
• Up to 8 x 2.5" NVMe drives for ultra fast storage I/O
• Up to 4 x 3.5" drives (in hybrid configurations)
  

For boot optimization, it also supports Dell’s BOSS-S1 (Boot Optimized Storage Solution) and dual M.2 SSDs to separate the OS from application storage. The R640’s flexible storage architecture is ideal for databases, SDS nodes, and IOPS-intensive applications. Advanced RAID controller support (e.g., PERC H740P) ensures data protection, while NVMe integration delivers ultra-low latency for workloads requiring fast response times.

I/O and Expandability

Despite its compact 1U design, the R640 provides generous expandability with up to 3 PCIe Gen 3.0 slots and a modular network daughter card (NDC) supporting 1GbE, 10GbE, or 25GbE NICs. This allows businesses to tailor I/O performance to specific application needs and scale network throughput as environments evolve. Additional add-on cards such as RAID controllers, NVMe expanders, and GPUs (in specific configurations) provide added flexibility for performance tuning. The server also features dual embedded 1GbE ports, USB 3.0, and optional Fibre Channel connectivity for SAN environments. These capabilities make the R640 suitable for roles such as compute nodes, high-density clusters, or virtualized infrastructure.

Virtualization and Workload Optimization

With its high CPU core density, large memory footprint, and NVMe support, the R640 is optimized for enterprise virtualization and container platforms including VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Red Hat OpenShift. It can support hundreds of virtual machines or containers, making it perfect for private cloud, hybrid cloud, or high-density VDI deployments. Dell’s workload profile tuning in BIOS allows you to match performance parameters to workloads such as transactional databases, SDS, or HPC. Whether running business-critical apps, acting as a virtual host, or participating in a hyper-converged cluster, the R640 provides predictable, reliable performance. Its dense form factor also allows more compute per rack, maximizing data center efficiency.

Management and Automation

The R640 includes Dell’s integrated iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller for robust, agent-free server management. IT administrators can perform remote updates, configuration, and diagnostics through a secure HTML5 interface or via command-line tools. Dell OpenManage Enterprise provides centralized server management, monitoring, and automation across multiple systems in a single dashboard. Additional features like OpenManage Mobile and Quick Sync 2 (via optional Bluetooth module) support mobile management and deployment in edge or remote settings. Automation support through Redfish and RESTful APIs ensures integration with DevOps and modern infrastructure management pipelines. These features help minimize downtime, reduce manual tasks, and accelerate IT service delivery.

Energy Efficiency

The Dell PowerEdge R640 is engineered with energy efficiency in mind, offering up to 750W platinum-rated power supplies and multi-vector cooling for intelligent airflow management. Dell’s thermal design and smart fans adjust cooling in real time based on workload intensity and environmental conditions, reducing power consumption. With support for Energy Star certifications and thermal profiles, the R640 helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs. Its compact design further contributes to space and energy savings in high-density deployments. These efficiencies collectively lower the total cost of ownership and improve sustainability metrics.

Reliability and Availability

The R640 is built for mission-critical uptime, with hot-swappable drives, redundant PSUs, and predictive failure analysis to identify hardware issues before they cause downtime. It supports Secure Boot, System Lockdown, and Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) for strong hardware-based security. The integrated BOSS controller ensures OS availability, while RAID configurations protect critical application data. Dell ProSupport and ProSupport Plus offer advanced monitoring, next-business-day parts, and optional on-site support. For businesses requiring non-stop service delivery, the R640 provides enterprise-grade reliability and resilience in a 1U footprint.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Compute Power: Dual Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs (up to 28 cores each)
• Memory Capacity: Up to 3TB DDR4 ECC memory across 24 DIMM slots
• Storage Options: 10 x 2.5” drives (SATA/SAS/NVMe) or 4 x 3.5” drives
• I/O Expandability: Up to 3 PCIe Gen 3.0 slots and modular networking options
• Virtualization Support: Ideal for VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, SDS, and VDI
• Management Tools: iDRAC9, OpenManage Enterprise, Quick Sync 2, Redfish APIs
• Energy Efficiency: Platinum-rated PSUs, smart thermal controls, compact 1U design
• Reliability: Redundant PSUs, ECC memory, hot-swappable drives, secure boot features
  

Business Value

The Dell PowerEdge R640 delivers powerful compute performance, storage flexibility, and memory scalability in a compact 1U design—making it a top-tier choice for modern data centers. Whether deployed for dense virtualization, database hosting, HPC, or hyper-converged infrastructure, the R640 adapts to evolving IT requirements while reducing space and energy costs. Its rich set of automation tools, advanced manageability, and strong security features streamline operations and ensure system resilience. Ideal for enterprises, cloud providers, and service-oriented IT teams, the R640 delivers outstanding ROI through performance, reliability, and intelligent design. It’s the perfect solution for organizations that demand density without compromise.