PowerEdge R730 Server
The Dell PowerEdge R730 is Dell's 13th-generation 2U all-rounder — dual Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4, 24 DIMM slots, GPU support, and huge parts availability at entry pricing. A virtualization and homelab favorite.
Dell PowerEdge R730 & R730xd — Refurbished & Custom-Built
The Dell PowerEdge R730 is a 2U, two-socket rack server from Dell’s 13th generation (launched 2014): dual Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 processors, 24 DDR4 DIMM slots for up to 1.5 TB of memory, and up to 16× 2.5″ or 8× 3.5″ drive bays — while the R730xd variant pushes storage to 24+ bays for data-heavy workloads. On the refurbished market the R730 family is the go-to budget 2U: cheap to buy, cheap to upgrade, and supported by a deep parts ecosystem. Configure yours below — we build it to spec, test it under load, and back it with a free 1-year warranty (extendable to 5 years).
Dell R730 Specs at a Glance
| Form factor | 2U rack server |
|---|---|
| Processors | 2× Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4, up to 22 cores each |
| Memory | 24 DIMM slots, DDR4 — up to 1.5 TB |
| Drive bays | R730: up to 16× 2.5″ or 8× 3.5″ · R730xd: up to 24× 2.5″ or 12× 3.5″ plus rear bays |
| Storage controllers | PERC H330 / H730 / H730P |
| GPU support | Up to 2× double-wide (R730) |
| Management | iDRAC8 |
| Generation / released | Dell 13G, launched 2014 |
Design and Build
The Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd are both designed in a 2U form factor, providing excellent performance, expandability, and storage flexibility in a durable, efficient chassis. The R730 is engineered for versatile computing needs, while the R730xd offers expanded storage, making it ideal for data-centric applications. Both models feature a modular design, allowing for easy access to components for efficient maintenance and upgrades. With Dell’s advanced cooling and airflow design, these servers maintain optimal performance even under high workloads, ensuring long-term reliability and stability for critical business operations.
Processor and Performance
The PowerEdge R730 and R730xd are powered by Intel’s Xeon E5-2600 v3 or v4 processors, supporting up to two CPUs with up to 22 cores each, delivering substantial multi-threaded performance for compute-intensive applications. This dual-socket configuration provides the power necessary for handling virtualized environments, data analytics, and enterprise-level databases. With Intel Xeon E5 processors that reach clock speeds of up to 3.5 GHz, the R730 and R730xd are built to deliver rapid data processing and responsiveness, ideal for businesses that require reliable performance across a wide array of applications. This high core density and scalability make both models well-suited for complex, concurrent workloads.
Memory
Both the R730 and R730xd support up to 1.5TB of DDR4 memory with speeds up to 2400 MT/s, delivering high bandwidth and low latency for memory-intensive applications. This extensive memory capacity enables smooth performance in multi-tenant virtualized environments, large databases, and in-memory computing applications. The R730 and R730xd also support ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory, enhancing data integrity by detecting and correcting memory errors, which provides stable, consistent performance. This vast memory capability makes both servers ideal for applications where uptime, stability, and reliability are critical.
Storage Options and Flexibility
The Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd offer flexible storage configurations to meet diverse workload demands. The R730 supports up to 16 x 2.5-inch drives or 8 x 3.5-inch drives, allowing a balanced approach between storage capacity and performance. The R730xd, optimized for storage-intensive applications, supports up to 24 x 2.5-inch or 12 x 3.5-inch drives, delivering even greater storage density. Both models can accommodate a mix of SSDs and HDDs, allowing businesses to configure storage to balance between speed and capacity. Dell’s PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) series supports multiple RAID levels (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60), providing data protection and increased storage performance. This flexibility in storage configuration makes the R730 and R730xd ideal for applications like large-scale databases, virtualization, and content delivery networks.
Network Connectivity
Equipped with dual embedded Gigabit Ethernet ports, the PowerEdge R730 and R730xd provide reliable, high-speed network connectivity essential for distributed applications and virtualized workloads. Both servers support additional network interface cards, including options for 10GbE and 40GbE, delivering the high bandwidth needed for data-intensive tasks. Dual ports also allow for network redundancy, ensuring continuous uptime by providing failover protection. This network flexibility makes the R730 and R730xd ideal for businesses that require low-latency communication and robust network resiliency, providing consistent and reliable access to critical applications and services.
Advanced Manageability and Security
The Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd feature iDRAC8 (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) with Lifecycle Controller, a powerful remote management tool that simplifies deployment, monitoring, and troubleshooting. iDRAC8 provides IT administrators with full control over the servers, even when off-site, enabling efficient and secure remote management. This tool reduces the need for physical access, streamlining server management in distributed environments. Additionally, both models support TPM (Trusted Platform Module) technology for enhanced data encryption and secure key management, helping to prevent unauthorized access. The R730 and R730xd’s advanced management and security features make them ideal for businesses that prioritize data protection and operational efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the PowerEdge R730 and R730xd feature highly efficient power supplies and intelligent thermal management, helping reduce power consumption and operational costs. Both models meet ENERGY STAR standards, underscoring Dell’s commitment to environmentally sustainable technology. These energy-efficient components support sustainability goals while maintaining high performance, reducing the total cost of ownership over time. Intelligent cooling solutions and optimized airflow ensure that both servers operate efficiently, even under heavy workloads, making them cost-effective choices for businesses focused on performance and energy savings.
Use Cases and Applications
The Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd are versatile servers capable of supporting a wide range of applications. The R730 is an ideal solution for virtualization, high-performance computing, and data analytics, providing balanced performance for multi-tenant environments. Meanwhile, the R730xd, with its expanded storage capabilities, is optimized for data-intensive workloads, such as big data processing, data archiving, and large-scale content management. Both models are well-suited for cloud environments, managed hosting, and distributed data centers that require both computing power and scalability. With their advanced management capabilities, the R730 and R730xd are also excellent options for remote sites and branch offices, where centralized control and high reliability are essential.
Conclusion
The Dell PowerEdge R730 and R730xd servers are powerful, flexible solutions built to handle the demands of modern workloads. With dual Intel Xeon processors, vast memory support, flexible storage configurations, and advanced management features, these servers provide the scalability, performance, and efficiency needed to support a wide range of business applications. Whether used in high-performance computing environments or for storage-heavy applications, the PowerEdge R730 and R730xd deliver the reliability, flexibility, and security that businesses need to confidently support critical workloads today and in the future.
Dell PowerEdge R730 Server Spec Sheets
Dell OpenManage Server Administrator Version 7.4 Command Line Interface Guide.pdf
Dell PowerEdge R730 Acoustics Performance.pdf
Dell PowerEdge R730 Owner's Manual.pdf
Dell PowerEdge Technical Guide.pdf
Server Administrator Version 7.4 Installation Guide.pdf
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server Spec Sheets
Dell 13G PowerEdge Acoustical Performance and Dependencies.pdf
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Gen13 Spec-Sheet.pdf
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Owner's manual.pdf
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Technical Guide.pdf
Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller H830.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Dell R730 and R730xd?
Same 2U platform, different storage ceilings. The R730 tops out at 16× 2.5″ or 8× 3.5″ front bays and keeps more room for GPUs and PCIe cards; the R730xd trades that space for drive density — up to 24× 2.5″ or 12× 3.5″ front bays plus rear flex bays, making it the pick for storage servers and backup targets.
What CPUs and how much RAM does the Dell R730 support?
Two Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 or v4 processors (up to 22 cores each) and 24 DDR4 DIMM slots for up to 1.5 TB. E5 v4 chips bring DDR4-2400 support and the best core-per-dollar ratio on the refurbished market.
Is the Dell R730 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for budget-driven builds: it is one of the cheapest ways to put a dual-socket 2U with plentiful bays and cheap DDR4 into service, and parts are everywhere. Per-core speed is two generations behind current Xeon Scalable platforms, so heavy single-thread workloads belong on an R740 or newer — but for VM farms, file and backup duty, and lab clusters the R730 remains a bargain workhorse.
Dell R730 or R740 — which should I buy?
The R740 is the 14th-generation successor: Xeon Scalable CPUs, DDR4-2933, NVMe options, iDRAC9, and roughly 20–30% more per-core performance — at a higher price. The R730 wins on pure acquisition cost. Both take the same 2U rack space, so the decision is budget versus runway.
Can I customize my Dell R730 configuration?
Yes. Choose an R730 or R730xd chassis and configure CPUs, memory, drives, RAID controller, NICs, and rails — we assemble and burn-in test the exact build before it ships with a free 1-year warranty (extendable to 5 years). Need a layout you do not see? Request a quote.