Dell PowerEdge R730XD Servers

The Dell PowerEdge R730XD is a 2U rackmount server purpose-built for organizations that require exceptional storage capacity, compute performance, and flexibility in a dense form factor. Designed for high-performance workloads such as software-defined storage, large-scale virtualization, big data analytics, and backup/archive solutions, the R730XD is an extension of the standard R730, optimized specifically for storage-heavy environments. With dual Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 processors, vast internal storage configurations, and comprehensive management tools, the R730XD delivers a scalable platform that excels in both capacity and efficiency.

Performance

The PowerEdge R730XD is powered by up to two Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 or v4 series processors, delivering up to 44 cores and 88 threads for outstanding parallel processing capability. With support for advanced features such as Intel Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost, and AVX2 instruction sets, the server efficiently handles compute-intensive applications. With core speeds up to 3.5 GHz, the R730XD ensures fast response times for data analytics, high-transaction workloads, and concurrent virtual machine operations. Its robust performance profile makes it ideal for both back-end data processing and front-end applications in a unified infrastructure.

Memory and Scalability

The R730XD features 24 DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting up to 1.5TB of RAM using Load-Reduced DIMMs (LRDIMMs), or up to 768GB using RDIMMs. With memory speeds up to 2400MT/s, it provides the bandwidth needed for real-time data access in large-scale virtualization or analytics scenarios. ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory ensures data integrity and reliability, while optional Dell Fault Resilient Memory protects virtual machines from memory faults. The server’s memory architecture supports complex workloads with high memory footprints such as in-memory databases and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

Storage Flexibility

Storage is the R730XD’s defining strength. It supports:

• Up to 24 x 2.5" drives, or
• Up to 12 x 3.5" drives, and
• Support for SAS, SATA, and SSDs, including select NVMe drives in specific configurations.
  

The R730XD also supports Dell’s BOSS (Boot Optimized Storage Solution) with M.2 drives for OS boot separation, preserving all front drives for data. Hardware RAID support is provided through PERC H730, H730P, or H830 RAID controllers, with configurations including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. For organizations requiring high-capacity storage tiers or hyper-converged infrastructure, the R730XD delivers unmatched flexibility and performance density in a 2U server.

I/O and Expandability

The PowerEdge R730XD offers up to 7 PCIe Gen 3.0 slots, allowing support for additional network interface cards (NICs), Fibre Channel HBAs, or GPUs for accelerated workloads. Optional dual SD cards enable hypervisor failover and redundancy. It includes two integrated 1GbE ports and optional 10GbE/40GbE networking modules for enhanced bandwidth and low-latency connections. These expansion capabilities make the R730XD suitable for scale-out storage, SDS nodes, or backup appliances that require both compute and connectivity density.

Virtualization and Use Cases

The R730XD is ideal for virtualization clusters, software-defined storage (SDS) platforms like vSAN, Storage Spaces Direct, or Ceph, as well as backup, archiving, and file serving workloads. Certified for all major hypervisors including VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, and Red Hat KVM, the server can host high VM densities and storage nodes simultaneously. Its ability to balance compute, memory, and massive storage makes it popular in hybrid cloud deployments, big data applications, and enterprise-scale virtual infrastructures.

Management and Automation

The R730XD comes equipped with iDRAC8 with Lifecycle Controller, enabling complete remote management, diagnostics, and provisioning without physical access. Through Dell OpenManage, administrators can automate firmware updates, monitor performance metrics, and receive proactive health alerts. It integrates with existing management platforms such as Microsoft System Center, VMware vCenter, and Red Hat Satellite. Features like Redfish-compliant APIs, auto-discovery, and zero-touch deployment reduce setup time and improve operational agility.

Energy Efficiency

The Dell PowerEdge R730XD features 80 PLUS Platinum or Titanium-certified power supplies (495W, 750W, 1100W, or 1600W), delivering power efficiency under variable load conditions. Intelligent multi-zone cooling, automated power capping, and Fresh Air 2.0 compliance help reduce power usage while maintaining thermal stability. These features are critical in high-density deployments where power and cooling costs must be tightly managed across large server fleets.

Reliability and Availability

High availability is integral to the R730XD’s design. Key features include:

• Redundant power supplies,
• Hot-swappable drives and fans,
• Dual SD cards for hypervisor resiliency,
• Proactive diagnostics with iDRAC,
• and auto-recovery BIOS features.
  

These capabilities minimize unplanned downtime, ensure continuous operations, and support mission-critical environments. Predictive failure analysis also empowers IT teams to respond before faults lead to service disruptions.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Computer Power: Dual Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 processors with up to 44 cores
• Memory Capacity: Up to 1.5TB DDR4 ECC RAM across 24 DIMM slots
• Storage Options: Up to 26 x 2.5” or 12 x 3.5” drives; supports SAS, SATA, SSDs, and NVMe (select models)
• I/O Expandability: Up to 7 PCIe slots for NICs, HBAs, or GPUs
• Virtualization Ready: Fully compatible with major hypervisors and SDS platforms
• Management Tools: iDRAC8, Lifecycle Controller, and Dell OpenManage suite
• Energy Efficiency: Platinum/Titanium PSUs and intelligent cooling technologies
• Reliability: Hot-swappable components, ECC memory, predictive diagnostics, and dual SD cards
  

Business Value

The Dell PowerEdge R730XD is a powerhouse for organizations with data-intensive, high-capacity workloads that require both compute and storage efficiency. Its exceptional scalability, flexible storage configuration, and robust feature set make it a preferred platform for data center consolidation, SDS, archiving, and virtualized environments. Whether deployed as part of a high-performance infrastructure or a storage-centric node, the R730XD delivers enterprise-grade reliability, management simplicity, and long-term value. For businesses looking to streamline operations without sacrificing capability, the R730XD is a proven and future-ready investment.