Dell PowerEdge R740XD Servers

The Dell PowerEdge R740XD is a high-performance 2U rack server engineered to deliver exceptional storage density, compute power, and scalability for data-intensive workloads. Ideal for software-defined storage (SDS), hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI), big data analytics, and content delivery networks, the R740XD balances powerful dual-processor performance with massive internal storage capabilities. With support for up to 24 x 2.5” or 12 x 3.5” drives (expandable to 32 x 2.5”), optional NVMe configurations, and GPU acceleration, it is a workhorse platform for modern enterprises seeking efficient and flexible infrastructure. Designed for maximum throughput and seamless scalability, the R740XD offers outstanding performance, integrated management, and industry-leading reliability—all in a compact 2U chassis.

Performance

The Dell PowerEdge R740XD supports dual 1st or 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 28 cores each, enabling up to 56 total cores for dense compute workloads. These processors deliver advanced features such as Intel AVX-512, Turbo Boost Technology, and up to 3 UPI links per CPU, ensuring high-throughput and low-latency interconnects. This performance foundation makes the R740XD suitable for big data clusters, SDS nodes, and virtualized environments with high IOPS demands. The 2U form factor accommodates not just compute power but also enhanced storage and I/O expansion without compromising performance. With broad memory and expansion capabilities, the R740XD can tackle parallel processing, real-time analytics, and mission-critical applications with ease.

Memory and Scalability

The PowerEdge R740XD supports up to 24 DIMM slots for DDR4 ECC memory, delivering a maximum capacity of 3TB using LRDIMMs with supported 2nd Gen Xeon CPUs. Memory speeds of up to 2933 MT/s allow fast data access for workloads such as HCI and in-memory databases. ECC technology ensures data accuracy and system reliability, making the server a trusted platform for business-critical applications. For environments needing even greater memory flexibility and persistence, the R740XD supports Intel Optane Persistent Memory, further extending scalability. With its high-density memory configuration, the server supports both compute- and memory-intensive workloads simultaneously.

Storage Flexibility

The R740XD’s hallmark is its vast storage capability, offering multiple backplane options:

• Up to 24 x 2.5” drives (SAS, SATA, or NVMe)
• 12 x 3.5” drives for high-capacity HDDs
• 32 x 2.5” drives with mid-plane expansion
  

This flexibility allows organizations to configure the system for maximum capacity, performance, or a hybrid of both, based on workload requirements. The server supports Dell’s BOSS-S1 M.2 boot drives, hardware RAID via PERC controllers (RAID 0/1/5/6/10/50/60), and hot-swappable configurations. NVMe support enables ultra-fast SSDs to be directly attached to the PCIe bus, significantly reducing latency. Whether deployed for SDS, media streaming, or content-heavy applications, the R740XD’s storage architecture delivers high throughput and low latency at scale.

I/O and Expandability

The R740XD offers up to 8 PCIe Gen 3.0 expansion slots and supports optional GPU configurations for acceleration of AI workloads, VDI, or content rendering. Its modular design includes a Network Daughter Card (NDC), enabling flexible networking options up to 25GbE, including RDMA and iSCSI acceleration. PCIe slots can be utilized for additional RAID controllers, high-speed NICs, or NVMe expanders. The server also supports up to 3 double-width GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA Tesla T4) or FPGA cards for compute-intensive workloads. This extensive expandability allows the R740XD to adapt to growing demands and shifting workloads.

Virtualization and Workload Optimization

The PowerEdge R740XD is optimized for virtualization platforms such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Red Hat KVM, offering the density and scalability needed for running multiple VMs or containers. It is also ideal for software-defined storage platforms like vSAN, Nutanix, and Ceph, due to its large local disk capacity and high IOPS throughput. The combination of compute, memory, and storage flexibility makes it an ideal platform for hyper-converged infrastructure deployments. Dell BIOS performance tuning lets administrators optimize system behavior based on workload type—balancing power, performance, or latency as needed. Whether powering multi-tenant environments, VDI farms, or data lakes, the R740XD is equipped for diverse enterprise workloads.

Management and Automation

The Dell PowerEdge R740XD features the integrated iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller, enabling remote server monitoring, maintenance, and firmware automation. Dell’s OpenManage Enterprise provides centralized control for multiple servers, reducing complexity and administrative overhead. OpenManage integrations with RESTful APIs, Redfish, and Ansible provide automation capabilities to suit both traditional IT and DevOps environments. The Quick Sync 2 module allows mobile-based access to system status, diagnostics, and inventory. These intelligent tools minimize downtime and streamline the management of complex infrastructures.

Energy Efficiency

Despite its high-capacity capabilities, the R740XD is engineered for energy efficiency, supporting 80 PLUS Platinum or Titanium power supplies (495W to 1600W). Its advanced thermal design includes Multi-Vector Cooling 2.0, which optimizes fan speeds and airflow dynamically based on real-time workload conditions. The server supports power capping and monitoring features to help organizations manage energy budgets and meet sustainability goals. This combination of compute density and intelligent power management ensures the R740XD performs efficiently even in demanding data center environments.

Reliability and Availability

The R740XD includes enterprise-grade reliability features such as redundant hot-swappable power supplies, fans, and drives to reduce single points of failure. ECC memory, predictive failure analysis, and thermal controls help safeguard workloads and prevent system downtime. Secure Boot, System Lockdown, and hardware root of trust ensure firmware integrity and protect against threats. Combined with Dell ProSupport options, the R740XD ensures continuous operation for mission-critical deployments. Businesses can trust the R740XD to deliver consistent uptime and resilient data protection.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Compute Power: Dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors, up to 56 total cores
• Memory Capacity: Up to 3TB DDR4 ECC RAM across 24 DIMM slots
• Storage Flexibility: Up to 24–32 x 2.5” or 12 x 3.5” drives with NVMe support
• I/O Expandability: 8 PCIe slots, GPU and FPGA support, flexible networking
• Virtualization: Ideal for SDS, HCI, VDI, VMware, Hyper-V, and container workloads
• Management Tools: iDRAC9, OpenManage Enterprise, Redfish APIs, Quick Sync 2
• Energy Efficiency: Platinum/Titanium PSUs, thermal optimization, power budgeting
• Reliability: Redundant components, hot-swappable drives, secure firmware, ProSupport
  

Business Value

The Dell PowerEdge R740XD provides a powerful, scalable, and highly adaptable solution for enterprise IT environments requiring high-density local storage, performance, and flexibility. Its ability to support SDS, big data, and virtualization workloads in a single platform reduces infrastructure sprawl and operational complexity. The R740XD’s expansive storage, compute density, and automation-ready design make it a valuable asset for businesses modernizing their data centers, deploying HCI, or building hybrid cloud strategies. Its energy-efficient design, remote management capabilities, and enterprise-grade reliability ensure a low total cost of ownership (TCO) while supporting mission-critical uptime. Whether you’re managing unstructured data, deploying virtual desktops, or hosting AI workloads, the R740XD delivers the performance and agility today’s data-driven businesses demand.