Refurbished PowerEdge R740 Server

Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd Servers – High-Performance, Scalable Solutions for Data-Intensive and Virtualized Workloads

The Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd are powerful 2U rack servers designed to deliver optimal performance, scalability, and versatility for a wide range of demanding applications. While both models share similar core components and capabilities, the R740xd is specifically optimized for expanded storage density, making it ideal for data-centric workloads. These servers are built to handle intensive workloads, such as virtualization, data analytics, and high-performance databases, with extensive memory, flexible storage, and advanced management features. Below is an in-depth overview of the Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd, covering their design, processing power, memory, storage, network connectivity, and management capabilities.

Internal view of the Dell PowerEdge R740 Server

Design and Build

The Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd feature a 2U form factor that balances performance, scalability, and storage flexibility. The R740 is designed to optimize performance for compute-heavy applications, while the R740xd provides greater storage density, making it ideal for storage-intensive tasks. Both models incorporate a modular, tool-less design that allows for quick access to components, simplifying maintenance and upgrades. Advanced airflow and cooling designs ensure that these servers maintain peak performance under heavy workloads, enhancing their durability and reliability in data center environments.

Processor and Performance

Powered by Intel’s Xeon Scalable processors, the R740 and R740xd support up to two CPUs with a maximum of 28 cores per processor. This high core count enables substantial multi-threaded processing, perfect for handling virtualized environments, data analytics, and high-performance computing tasks. The Intel Xeon Scalable processors offer clock speeds that reach up to 3.8 GHz, providing fast and responsive data processing to handle complex, resource-intensive workloads. This combination of high core density and scalability ensures the R740 and R740xd deliver reliable, efficient performance across a broad range of applications, enabling businesses to run concurrent tasks with minimal latency.

Memory

Both the R740 and R740xd support up to an impressive 3TB of DDR4 memory with speeds of up to 2933 MT/s, providing the bandwidth needed for memory-intensive applications. This large memory capacity makes them suitable for applications such as in-memory databases, large virtualized environments, and real-time data analytics. Additionally, both servers support NVDIMM (Non-Volatile Dual In-line Memory Module) options, which combine the speed of memory with the resilience of storage, ensuring data persistence in the event of power loss. The use of ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory enhances reliability by automatically detecting and correcting memory errors, making both models stable and dependable solutions for mission-critical workloads.

Storage Options and Flexibility

The Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd provide flexible storage configurations to meet various workload demands. The R740 supports up to 16 x 2.5-inch or 8 x 3.5-inch drives, balancing performance and capacity for general-purpose computing. The R740xd, designed with expanded storage capabilities, supports up to 24 x 2.5-inch or 12 x 3.5-inch drives, allowing for higher storage density. Both servers support a combination of NVMe, SSDs, and HDDs, enabling businesses to tailor storage to their specific performance needs. Dell’s PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) series supports various RAID levels (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60) to ensure data redundancy and boost storage performance. With NVMe options, the R740 and R740xd can deliver low-latency, high-speed storage, making them ideal for data-intensive applications and large databases.

Network Connectivity

The PowerEdge R740 and R740xd come with dual embedded 10GbE ports, providing high-speed data transfer essential for network-intensive applications. These ports support robust connectivity, reducing latency and ensuring efficient data throughput for virtualized and distributed environments. Additionally, both models support optional network interface cards, including 25GbE and 40GbE options, enabling organizations to scale their network bandwidth to meet the needs of high-demand applications. The dual network ports also provide redundancy, ensuring continuous network uptime for critical business operations, making the R740 and R740xd well-suited for environments requiring resilient and reliable connectivity.

Advanced Manageability and Security

The Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd are equipped with iDRAC9 (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller) with Lifecycle Controller, a comprehensive management solution that simplifies deployment, monitoring, and troubleshooting. iDRAC9 allows IT administrators to manage the servers remotely, providing secure access to configuration and diagnostics from anywhere. This capability reduces the need for physical access, streamlining management for distributed environments. Both models support TPM (Trusted Platform Module) technology for secure encryption and key management, enhancing data security. Dell’s Cyber Resilient Architecture further protects the servers against unauthorized access and helps ensure data integrity, providing advanced protection for critical workloads.

Energy Efficiency

The PowerEdge R740 and R740xd are designed with energy efficiency in mind, utilizing highly efficient power supplies and Dell’s intelligent cooling technology to optimize power consumption. Both models meet ENERGY STAR standards, emphasizing Dell’s commitment to environmentally sustainable technology. This energy efficiency reduces operational costs and supports sustainability initiatives. Intelligent thermal management systems help maintain optimal temperatures under heavy workloads, ensuring consistent performance while minimizing energy use, making the R740 and R740xd cost-effective choices for long-term operations.

Use Cases and Applications

The Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd are versatile servers capable of supporting a variety of high-demand applications. The R740 is well-suited for virtualized environments, data analytics, and compute-intensive applications, while the R740xd, with its enhanced storage capacity, is optimized for data-centric applications such as big data processing, data archiving, and large-scale content management. Both models are excellent options for cloud computing and multi-tenant environments, delivering reliable performance and scalability. With their advanced remote management features, they are also ideal for branch offices and remote sites where centralized management is essential for maintaining uptime and efficiency.

Conclusion

The Dell PowerEdge R740 and R740xd servers provide powerful, scalable solutions that combine high performance, flexibility, and manageability in a 2U form factor. With Intel Xeon Scalable processors, extensive memory capacity, flexible storage configurations, and advanced remote management capabilities, the R740 and R740xd are designed to support a wide range of business-critical applications. Whether deployed in data centers, cloud environments, or remote locations, the PowerEdge R740 and R740xd offer the reliability, scalability, and efficiency that modern businesses need to meet current and future demands with confidence.