Description

The Dell PowerEdge R740xd is a versatile 2U, two-socket rack server engineered for organizations that require a combination of high processing performance, large memory capacity, and exceptional storage density.

As the storage-optimized member of the R740 family, the R740xd provides significantly greater internal storage flexibility than the standard R740. Its expanded drive-bay architecture allows organizations to deploy large numbers of HDDs, SSDs, and selected NVMe drives within a compact 2U chassis.

Powered by Intel Xeon Scalable processors, the R740xd can deliver substantial compute performance while supporting large memory configurations and high-speed storage. This makes it particularly suitable for virtualization clusters, software-defined storage, databases, backup infrastructure, private cloud, data analytics, file services, and storage-heavy enterprise workloads.

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Key Features

• Brand: Dell
• Model: PowerEdge R740xd
• Form Factor: 2U Rack Server
• CPU Sockets: 2
• Processor: Up to 2 × Intel Xeon Scalable processors
• Memory: DDR4 ECC RDIMM/LRDIMM
• Memory Slots: 24 × DIMM
• Maximum Memory: Up to 3TB
• Memory Speed: Up to 2933 MT/s, configuration dependent
• Storage: SAS / SATA / SSD / NVMe
• Drive Options: Up to 24 × 2.5-inch drives in supported configurations
• RAID: Dell PERC H330, H730P, H740P and supported controllers
• Boot Storage: BOSS, configuration dependent
• Expansion: PCIe Gen 3
• Networking: 1GbE / 10GbE / 25GbE and other supported adapters
• GPU Support: Selected GPU configurations
• Remote Management: iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller
• Security: Secure Boot, TPM and Dell enterprise security features
• Power: Redundant hot-plug power supplies
• Primary Applications: Virtualization, Storage, Databases, Backup, Cloud, Analytics & Enterprise Applications

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Intel Xeon Scalable Processing

The R740xd supports up to two Intel Xeon Scalable processors, providing powerful multi-core processing for demanding enterprise applications.

The dual-socket architecture allows the server to scale processing resources for:

• Virtualization
• Database applications
• Software-defined storage
• Data analytics
• Cloud infrastructure
• High-performance computing
• Enterprise applications
• Backup and data-protection workloads

Processor selection can be tailored according to core count, frequency, cache, and power requirements.

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Up to 3TB DDR4 Memory

The R740xd provides 24 DDR4 DIMM slots and supports up to 3TB of memory in supported configurations.

ECC memory helps maintain data integrity and reliability for enterprise workloads.

Large memory configurations are particularly beneficial for:

• Virtualization
• In-memory databases
• Analytics
• Software-defined storage
• VDI
• Enterprise applications

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High-Density Storage

Storage density is one of the primary advantages of the R740xd.

Supported configurations can provide up to 24 × 2.5-inch drive bays, allowing organizations to install a large number of HDDs or SSDs in a 2U chassis.

Storage options include:

• SAS HDD
• SATA HDD
• SAS SSD
• SATA SSD
• NVMe SSD

This makes the R740xd suitable for environments requiring substantial local storage capacity.

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Flexible Storage Architecture

The R740xd can be configured for several storage strategies:

High-Capacity Storage

Large numbers of HDDs can be used for:

• Backup
• Archive
• File services
• Storage repositories

High-Performance Storage

SSD and NVMe configurations provide high IOPS and low latency for:

• Databases
• Virtualization
• Analytics
• Transaction processing

Hybrid Storage

Combining HDDs and SSDs provides a balance between:

• Capacity
• Performance
• Cost

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NVMe Storage

Selected R740xd configurations support NVMe SSDs, providing significantly higher storage performance and lower latency than traditional SAS/SATA drives.

NVMe is especially useful for:

• High-performance databases
• Virtualization
• Analytics
• AI/ML data processing
• Caching
• Software-defined storage

The number and type of supported NVMe drives depend on the selected chassis, backplane and configuration.

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Dell PERC RAID

The R740xd supports Dell enterprise PERC RAID controllers, including options such as:

• PERC H330
• PERC H730P
• PERC H740P
• Other supported PERC/HBA controllers

RAID provides:

• Data redundancy
• Drive fault tolerance
• Storage performance optimization
• Drive monitoring
• Enterprise storage management

The controller should be selected according to the required storage technology and RAID configuration.

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BOSS Boot Storage

Supported configurations can use Dell’s Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS) for dedicated operating-system storage.

A dedicated boot device allows the main drive bays to remain available for:

• Application data
• Database storage
• Virtualization datastores
• Storage pools
• Backup repositories

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PCIe Gen 3 Expansion

The R740xd provides PCIe Gen 3 expansion for additional enterprise hardware.

Expansion devices can include:

• High-speed network adapters
• Fibre Channel HBAs
• SAS controllers
• Storage adapters
• RAID controllers
• GPU accelerators
• Other PCIe devices

This provides flexibility for expanding the server as infrastructure requirements change.

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GPU and Accelerator Support

Selected R740xd configurations support GPU accelerators.

This can enable hardware acceleration for:

• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Data analytics
• High-performance computing
• Video processing
• VDI

GPU support depends on the selected chassis, risers, cooling and power-supply configuration.

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Enterprise Networking

The R740xd supports a broad range of networking options.

Depending on the configuration, it can support:

• 1GbE
• 10GbE
• 25GbE
• Fibre Channel through supported HBAs
• Other PCIe network adapters

Multiple network interfaces can be allocated to:

• Production
• Storage
• Management
• Backup
• Virtualization

High-speed networking is particularly useful for storage and virtualization clusters.

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iDRAC9 Remote Management

The Dell Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller 9 (iDRAC9) provides comprehensive remote server management.

Administrators can remotely:

• Monitor hardware health
• View system inventory
• Configure server hardware
• Manage firmware
• Control server power
• Troubleshoot hardware
• Access remote console functions
• Deploy operating systems
• Perform lifecycle management

The R740xd can also be integrated with Dell OpenManage for centralized infrastructure management.

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Enterprise Security

The R740xd includes Dell enterprise security technologies designed to protect server hardware and firmware.

Depending on configuration, features include:

• Secure Boot
• TPM
• System Lockdown
• Cryptographically signed firmware
• Secure Erase
• Secured Component Verification

These technologies help protect the server against unauthorized hardware and firmware changes.

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Redundant Hot-Plug Power Supplies

The R740xd supports redundant hot-plug power supplies in multiple capacities.

The required PSU configuration depends on:

• Processor selection
• Memory capacity
• Number and type of drives
• PCIe cards
• GPUs
• Networking hardware

Redundant power supplies can help maintain server availability when a power supply fails.

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2U Storage-Optimized Design

The 2U chassis provides substantial room for storage and expansion while maintaining efficient rack utilization.

The R740xd is particularly attractive for organizations that need:

• High storage density
• High compute performance
• Large memory capacity
• Multiple networking options
• PCIe expansion
• GPU acceleration

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Ideal Applications

Software-Defined Storage

The high drive density makes the R740xd an excellent platform for software-defined storage environments.

Virtualization

The combination of dual Xeon processors, large memory and extensive local storage makes it suitable for virtualization clusters.

Backup & Archive

Large numbers of HDDs can provide significant capacity for backup and archival workloads.

Database Servers

SSD/NVMe storage combined with large memory capacity provides a strong foundation for demanding database applications.

Private Cloud

The R740xd can provide compute and storage resources for private-cloud infrastructure.

Data Analytics

High memory capacity, powerful processors and fast storage make the server suitable for analytics workloads.

Enterprise File Services

Its storage density makes it an effective platform for file servers and enterprise data repositories.

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Technical Specifications

Note: Exact processor model, memory capacity, drive-bay arrangement, NVMe support, RAID controller, networking adapters, PCIe risers, GPU compatibility and PSU capacity depend on the specific R740xd SKU/configuration.

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Key Benefits

High Storage Density: Up to 24 × 2.5-inch drives provide substantial storage capacity in a 2U chassis.

Dual-Socket Performance: Supports two Intel Xeon Scalable processors for demanding workloads.

Large Memory Capacity: Up to 3TB DDR4 ECC memory supports virtualization, databases and analytics.

Flexible Storage: SAS, SATA, SSD and NVMe options allow configurations optimized for capacity or performance.

Advanced RAID: Dell PERC controllers provide enterprise storage protection and management.

GPU Ready: Selected configurations support accelerators for AI, analytics, HPC and VDI.

PCIe Expansion: Multiple PCIe Gen 3 slots support networking, storage and accelerator hardware.

iDRAC9 Management: Provides remote monitoring, configuration, firmware management and troubleshooting.

Redundant Power: Hot-plug redundant PSUs support improved system availability.

Storage-Optimized Architecture: Particularly suitable for software-defined storage, backup, virtualization and storage-intensive enterprise applications.

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Product Summary

The Dell PowerEdge R740xd is a powerful 2U dual-socket, storage-optimized enterprise rack server designed for organizations that require high compute performance together with substantial internal storage capacity.

With support for dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors, up to 3TB DDR4 ECC memory, up to 24 × 2.5-inch drives, SAS/SATA/SSD and selected NVMe storage, Dell PERC RAID, BOSS boot storage, PCIe Gen 3 expansion, high-speed networking, supported GPU accelerators, redundant hot-plug power supplies and iDRAC9 management, the R740xd is an excellent platform for software-defined storage, virtualization, databases, backup, private cloud, analytics, file services and demanding enterprise workloads.