
Dell
Dell PowerEdge R540 Renewed Server 8 x 3.5 Hot Plug
Renewed Dell PowerEdge R540 2U server with dual Xeon Bronze 3106 processors, 64GB RAM, and 96TB of SAS storage.
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Overview
Versatile and Scalable Server Solution
The Dell PowerEdge R540 is a 2U rack server designed to provide a balance of performance, capacity, and scalability. Featuring Intel Xeon Bronze processors, large memory capacity, and extensive storage options, this server is well-suited for a range of applications, including small to medium-sized businesses and remote office deployments.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 Eight Core 1.7Ghz
- Memory: 64GB RAM
- Storage: 8 x 12TB SAS HDD
- Drive Bays: 8 x 3.5" Hot Plug
- RAID Controller: H730
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 96TB of raw SAS storage across eight 12TB drives provides exceptional capacity for data-heavy workloads
- The H730 RAID controller with 1GB cache offers better performance and more RAID options than entry-level controllers
- 3.5-inch hot-plug bays allow drive replacements without server downtime
- 64GB of RAM provides a solid baseline for file serving, backup, and small-scale virtualization
- Renewed pricing delivers enterprise storage density at a fraction of new hardware cost
👎 Cons
- Xeon Bronze 3106 processors at 1.7GHz are relatively slow for compute-intensive or latency-sensitive applications
- The 2U form factor consumes twice the rack space of a 1U server
- Large-capacity spinning SAS drives are significantly slower than SSD storage for random I/O
- As a renewed unit, available warranty and remaining component lifespan may be limited
Frequently Asked Questions
What processors are installed in this PowerEdge R540?
This configuration includes Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 eight-core processors running at 1.7GHz, designed for steady throughput on multi-threaded workloads rather than clock-speed-dependent tasks.
How much raw storage capacity does this server provide?
With eight 12TB SAS hard drives across its 3.5-inch hot-plug bays, this R540 delivers 96TB of raw storage capacity before any RAID configuration.
What RAID options does the H730 controller support?
The Dell PERC H730 supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, and includes a 1GB cache with battery backup for improved write performance and data protection.
Who is this server best suited for?
The R540's combination of massive storage capacity and 2U form factor makes it well suited for file servers, backup repositories, small business infrastructure, and remote office deployments.
What is the difference between the R540 and R640?
The R540 is a 2U chassis with 3.5-inch drive bays optimized for storage capacity, while the R640 is a denser 1U chassis with 2.5-inch bays geared toward compute-heavy tasks.