Server Review: The Dell PowerEdge R640
It's been a while since TechMike's reviewed a server, but today, we're taking a look at the Dell PowerEdge R640. The R640 is a versatile 1U rack server suitable for data-driven workloads. It packs high compute density and expandability into a compact 1U chassis. In this blogpost, we'll tell you everything we think about the R640 and what makes it tick.
Overview and Specifications
The PowerEdge R640 sports a sleek and space-saving 1U rack-mountable chassis that can be easily installed in any standard 19-inch rack.
Inside, it supports the latest second generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Intel C620 chipset) with up to 28 cores per socket, 6 memory channels and 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes per socket.
Memory-wise, the R640 has 24 288-pin DIMM slots and supports speeds up to 2933MT/s with configs up to 7.68TB using 128GBDCPMM and LRDIMMs. (For optimal performance, balance memory channels across processors and populate all channels evenly.)
Storage includes up to 10 front-loading 2.5" drive bays for SAS/SATA HDDs and NVMe SSDs. For I/O-heavy workloads, populating all bays with high capacity NVMe SSDs takes full advantage of the dedicated PCIe lanes. Benchmarks show NVMe SSD arrays hitting over 12GB/sec sequential read speeds in this server.
Equivalent servers from HP include the ProLiant DL360 Gen10, which has a similar form-factor and component options.
Performance and Scalability
This PowerEdge can be equipped with high-performance Intel Xeon CPUs with up to 28 cores each and massive memory capacity of up to 7.68TB for data-intensive workloads. It has dedicated PCIe lanes for increased I/O performance.
Storage scalability is excellent with support for up to 10 SAS/SATA HDDs or SSDs, including NVMe options, in hot-swappable drive bays. The R640 can also be configured for software-defined storage with options like vSAN ready nodes.
Also see: How to Use NVMe Drives in an R640
Management and Usability
The Dell PowerEdge R640 is managed through the user-friendly OpenManage Enterprise console also known as iDrac (internal Dell Remote Access Controller) which allows for complete local and remote server control, monitoring and updates of the server components and firmware. iDrac is Dell's version of IPMI. This allows IT administrators robust control over the infrastructure. It also works with OpenManage Mobile.
With features like hot-plug drives, redundant power supplies and fans, Dell's fault resilient memory, and physical security options, the R640 delivers rock-solid reliability for business-critical applications.
Compatibility
The R640 has two dedicated x16 PCIe slots plus an x8 slot to add specialty cards like GPU accelerators. The 750W PSUs can comfortably handle dual full-height, full-length GPUs up to 300W each. (Tip: Make sure to populate all riser slots evenly to optimize PCIe bandwidth.)
To accelerate AI workloads, the R640 also supports FPGAs and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Another option is going for faster NICs or NDCs; Dell's ecosystem supports a range of NICs, from the Dell 0FM487 (quad-port 1GB RJ-45) to higher throughput cards like Mellanox ConnectX-4 or ConnectX-5. Both the X-4 and X-5 support remote direct memory access (RDMA), allowing remote storage devices to be accessed with the same low latency and high throughput as if they were directly attached to a server.
Power Consumption
Fully populated dual CPU configs consume 300-400W under load. Plan power and cooling accordingly - a 30A circuit should suffice. At idle, power draw drops to around 150W. Thermal output is approximately 1500 BTU/hr peak. With dual hot-swap fans, the R640 does a good job directing airflow and keeping internal temperatures in check.
Ideal Workloads
The R640 can be configured to have a nice balance of processing power, memory density, storage capacity and I/O performance. With that in mind, the R640 excels for workloads including:
- Virtualization and VDI
- Database hosting
- Software-defined storage and HCI
- High-performance computing
- Web serving
- Business processing applications
For lighter workloads, consider the PowerEdge R440, which has less expandability but starts at a lower price point. The R740 offers greater expansion room with up to 26 drives.
Example Configurations
1. Dell PowerEdge R640 Server Gold 6130 2.10Ghz 16-Core 128GB H730P Rails
(Buy Now)
Model: Dell PowerEdge R640 10-Bay Server with 2.5'' Bays
Processors: 1x 2.10Ghz Gold 6130 16-Core Processors - Total of 16x Cores
Memory: 4x 32GB PC4-2666V RAM - Total of 128GB Memory
Power Supplies: 2x 750W Platinum Power Supplies with 2x Power Cords
RAID Controller: H730P Mini RAID Controller 2GB Cache
Remote Access Controller: iDRAC9 Express and iDRAC9 Enterprise
Rail Kit: Sliding 4-Post Rails Included
Network Interface: Dual-Port 10GB SFP+ + Dual-Port 1GB RJ-45
Graphics Card: Integrated Video Card
2. Dell PowerEdge R640 NVMe Server 2x Gold 6252 2.10Ghz 48-Core 128GB H730P Rails
(Buy Now)
Model: Dell PowerEdge R640 NVMe 10-Bay Server with 2.5'' Bays
Processors: 2x 2.10Ghz Gold 6252 24-Core Processors - Total of 48x Cores
Memory: 8x 16GB PC4-2933Y RAM - Total of 128GB Memory
Power Supplies: 2x 750W Platinum Power Supplies with 2x Power Cords
RAID Controller: H730P Mini RAID Controller 2GB Cache
Remote Access Controller: iDRAC9 Express
Front Bezel: LCD Bezel with Key Included
Rail Kit: Sliding 4-Post Rails Included
Network Interface: Dual-Port 10GB SFP+ + Dual-Port 1GB RJ-45
Graphics Card: Integrated Video Card
3. Dell PowerEdge R640 Server 2x Gold 6252 2.10Ghz 48-Core 96GB 8x NEW 4TB SSD H730
(BUY NOW)
Model: Dell PowerEdge R640 10-Bay Server with 2.5'' Bays
Processors: 2x 2.10Ghz Gold 6252 24-Core Processors - Total of 48x Cores
Memory: 6x 16GB PC4-3200AA RAM - Total of 96GB Memory
Hard Drives: 8x NEW 4TB SSD SATA 2.5'' 6G - Total Storage of 32.0TB
Power Supplies: 2x 1100W Platinum Power Supplies with 2x Power Cords
RAID Controller: H730 Mini RAID Controller 1GB Cache
Rail Kit: Sliding 4-Post Rails Included
Network Interface: Dual-Port 10GB SFP+ + Dual-Port 1GB RJ-45
PCI-E Card 1: Additional NIC(s) 1: 1x 1.6TB PCIe SSD
Graphics Card: Integrated Video Card
Inspired to build your own? You can always configure-to-order an R640 from our Configure-to-Order page.
(Or right here: Custom 8-Bay R640, Custom 10-Bay R640, Custom 10-Bay NVMe R640)
Final Thoughts
The Dell PowerEdge R640 squeezes impressive performance and flexibility into a compact 1U rack form factor. With its scalability, intuitive management, reliability features and competitive pricing, it packs a punch with excellent price-to-performance ratio and strikes an ideal balance for SMBs and enterprises running critical applications.