PowerEdge R740 XD Server
The Dell PowerEdge R740xd is the storage-optimized 14th-generation 2U — up to 32 drive bays with native NVMe options, the default choice for vSAN, Ceph, and high-capacity backup nodes.
Dell PowerEdge R740xd — Refurbished & Custom-Built
The Dell PowerEdge R740xd (Dell R740xd) is the storage-optimized 14th-generation 2U — up to 32 drive bays, mixed 3.5″/2.5″ layouts, and native NVMe options that made it the default vSAN and software-defined-storage node of its era. PC Server & Parts configures refurbished R740xd servers to order, tests them under load, and covers each with a free 1-year warranty. Browse all Dell servers or read our used server buying guide.
Dell R740xd Specs at a Glance
| Form factor | 2U rack server (storage-optimized) |
|---|---|
| Processors | 2× 1st/2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable, up to 28 cores each |
| Memory | 24 DIMM slots, DDR4-2933 — up to 3 TB |
| Drive bays | Up to 32× 2.5″ (24 front + mid/rear), 18× 3.5″ mixed, or 24× NVMe layouts |
| NVMe | Native U.2 options — 8×, 12×, or all-NVMe backplanes |
| Storage controllers | PERC H330 / H730P / H740P |
| Management | iDRAC9 |
| Generation / released | Dell 14G, launched 2017 |
Choose Your Dell R740xd Chassis
- R740xd 12 Bay LFF (3.5″)
- R740xd 12 Bay LFF + 4× Rear Flex
- R740xd 24 Bay SFF
- R740xd 24 Bay (8× NVMe capable)
- R740xd 24 Bay (12× NVMe)
- R740xd 24 Bay (NVMe only)
- XC740xd 12 Bay LFF (Nutanix-ready)
Each chassis opens a configurator for CPUs, memory, drives, and networking; we assemble and burn-in test the build before shipping. Need a layout that isn’t listed? Request a quote.
What the Dell R740xd Is Best At
The R740xd anchors software-defined storage: VMware vSAN nodes, Ceph clusters, object storage, high-capacity backup repositories, data-lake and surveillance storage — plus hyperconverged Nutanix deployments on the XC740xd. Mixed NVMe-cache-plus-HDD-capacity layouts in one 2U box are exactly what this platform was designed for, and refurbished pricing makes multi-node clusters very affordable.
Dell R740xd vs Related Models
- Dell R740 — the general-purpose sibling: fewer bays, more GPU room.
- Dell R730xd — the 13th-gen predecessor: cheaper, no native NVMe generation.
- Dell R7525 — the AMD EPYC alternative: up to 24× NVMe direct with PCIe Gen4.
Why Buy a Refurbished R740xd from PCSP
PCSP has refurbished PowerEdge storage servers for 17+ years: every R740xd is inspected, firmware-updated, load-tested with your drive set, and shipped free in the lower 48 with a free 1-year warranty extendable to 5. Building a vSAN or Ceph cluster? Ask for multi-node pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the R740 and R740xd?
The R740xd adds mid-bay and rear drive cages: up to 32× 2.5″ or 18× 3.5″ mixed versus 16×/8× on the standard R740, plus richer NVMe backplane options. The trade-off is GPU capacity — the R740 has more room for accelerators. For storage-first builds the xd is the obvious pick.
Does the R740xd support NVMe drives?
Yes — natively. Chassis options include 8× and 12× NVMe-capable mixed backplanes and an all-NVMe 24-bay version. NVMe cache tiers in front of SAS/SATA capacity drives are the classic vSAN/Ceph layout, and our configurators list tested U.2 drive options for each chassis.
Is the R740xd good for a vSAN or Ceph cluster in 2026?
Yes — it remains one of the most cost-effective SDS nodes available: 28-core Cascade Lake CPUs, 3 TB memory ceiling, NVMe cache support, and full compatibility with current vSAN and Ceph releases. Three refurbished R740xd nodes typically cost less than one equivalent new server.
What warranty comes with a refurbished Dell R740xd?
Every configured Dell R740xd ships with a free 1-year PCSP warranty covering replacement parts, labor, and shipping on covered failures. Coverage can be extended to up to 5 years at checkout, and on-site service tiers (8×5 next-business-day and 24×7×4) are available for production environments.
What if I don't see the Dell R740xd configuration I need?
Every chassis links to a configurator where you select processors, RAM, storage, and networking, and each build is assembled and tested in our Michigan facility. Need something the configurator doesn’t show — specific drives, GPUs, an OS pre-install, or a bulk order? Submit a quote request and we’ll put the exact spec together.