Dell PowerEdge R740
The Dell PowerEdge R740 server is a 2U, 14th gen (14G), Intel-based rack server, which can weigh up to 73Lbs when fully configured. The server's motherboard supports 2x Intel LGA3647 / Socket-P sockets that accommodate Intel's Xeon Scalable V1 / V2 Series processors with a maximium TDP of 205W, maximum speed per processor of 3.90Ghz, and a maximum of 56 Cores. The Dell PowerEdge R740 server supports 12x DIMMs per CPU for a total of 24x RAM slots and a maximum of 6.1TB of PC4 / DDR4 ECC Registered memory with a max speed of 3200 Mhz.
The Dell PowerEdge R740 chassis takes 2x hot-plug / hot-swap redundant power supplies / PSUs with total wattage of up to 2,400 Watts. Total storage maxes out at 2949.1TB without the optional flex-bay drives. Including optional flex-bay drives, max storage exceeds 2949.1TB. Depending on the chassis configuration, the Dell PowerEdge R740 server can support a maximum of 28x SFF / 2.5 inch SATA / SAS drives, a maximum of 24x SFF / 2.5 inch NVMe drives or a maximum of 18x LFF / 3.5 inch drives.
The Dell PowerEdge R740 server comes with a modular LOM / NDC slot that accommodates a wide range of network daughter card connections. Depending on the riser configuration, the Dell PowerEdge R740 server could take up to 8x PCIe 3.0 (Gen 3) NIC slots. Depending on the riser configuration, the Dell PowerEdge R740 server could accommodate up to 3x double-wide GPUs or up to 6x single-wide GPUs.
Key additional features include: support of Boss-S1 card with up to 2x M.2 SATA SSDs, Quick Sync 2 setup features, flex-zoning, and DRAC 9 Dell remote access capabilities.
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Dell XC740xd 24-Bay SAS / SATA SFF Rack-Mountable 2U Hyper-Converged Appliance
Customized Firmware:: This model is fitted with Dell firmware optimized for VMware, enhancing virtualization and streamlining management.
Storage:: Storage optimized: a high storage capacity model, this Dell XC740xd has 24 x 2.5" drive bays. Significant support for data-heavy applications.
Networking Connections:: Networking connections: with up to 8 PCIe slots, the XC740xd enables easy integration of networking cards and specialty hardware.
VMWare:: Dell QuickSync: the XC740xd comes with Dell QuickSync to make management much easier, syncing with the OpenManage app for quick device control.
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FAQs
The Dell XC740xd features 24 drive bays, allowing for flexible storage options and configurations.
The XC740xd comes with customized firmware optimized for hyper-converged infrastructure, ensuring efficient performance.
The Dell XC740xd offers multiple networking connections to ensure robust connectivity suitable for enterprise applications.
Yes, the Dell XC740xd includes QuickSync, which provides easier access and control over your appliance through streamlined management features.
The XC740xd supports various RAID configurations, allowing you to choose the level of performance and redundancy that meets your requirements.
The XC740xd supports expansion options that allow you to add additional NICs and other components as needed for your workloads.
The XC740xd is compatible with a range of Intel Xeon Scalable processors, enabling you to choose a CPU that meets your performance needs.
You do not need a GPU to connect a keyboard and monitor; the XC740xd has integrated graphics for basic configuration tasks.
Using VMware with the XC740xd allows for simplified management of virtual resources and maximizes the return on investment for your hyper-converged infrastructure.
Documentation
- Dell PowerEdge R740 BIOS and UEFI Reference Guide
The Dell PowerEdge R740 server, manufactured by Dell, is a 2U rack-mounted enterprise system designed for rigorous data center workloads and managed through a comprehensive UEFI-based firmware architecture. The Dell PowerEdge R740 supports dual processors with adjustable core counts and clock speeds directly accessible via the System Setup utility, accommodating scalable computing demands. Memory capacity flexibility allows extensive configuration across standard DDR4 modules alongside Intel DC Persistent Memory installations, while storage options are handled through configurable embedded SATA controllers and PCIe NVMe drives set to either RAID or Non-RAID modes. Expansion slots are maximized via multiple PCIe riser cards with bifurcation capabilities supporting x16, x8, and x4 lane distributions across eight primary connectors, ensuring the hardware adaptability required for modern infrastructure.
Operating beyond standard boot processes, the Dell PowerEdge R740 integrates advanced pre-operating system tools to streamline infrastructure deployment and daily administration. The Dell Lifecycle Controller delivers out-of-band hardware management, firmware updates, and automated OS provisioning without relying on host operating systems, while the iDRAC settings utility enables centralized remote access and parameter configuration through UEFI interfaces. Network booting capabilities include PXE, HTTP, and iSCSI options managed directly in UEFI mode, alongside one-shot boot menus and BIOS console redirection for troubleshooting. System profile tuning offers granular control over power management, including Demand-Based Power Controller algorithms, turbo boost core selection, C-state transitions, and memory patrol scrubbing, allowing administrators to balance performance per watt with computational throughput for virtualization, database clustering, or high-performance computing environments.
Security and system integrity are enforced through a robust suite of firmware-level protections within the Dell PowerEdge R740 platform. The System Security menu provides comprehensive controls for TPM 1.2 and TPM 2.0 activation, Intel Trusted Execution Technology, UEFI Secure Boot with customizable policy objects, and strict password authentication mechanisms that halt operation after repeated failures. Administrators can also configure redundant OS recovery paths using internal SD modules or BOSS PCIe cards to ensure rapid system restoration during critical failures. Designed for IT buyers requiring enterprise reliability, the Dell PowerEdge R740 serves mission-critical infrastructure, secure cloud foundations, and compliance-driven data management where hardware-level fault resilience, tamper-proof boot verification, and scalable resource allocation are essential.
Updated: October 1, 2026Download - Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 Technical Specifications
The Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 is a dual-socket rack-mounted server engineered for enterprise data centers requiring dense compute and flexible scalability. Powered by up to two Intel Xeon Scalable processors featuring a maximum of twenty-eight cores per chip, the system delivers substantial processing throughput for demanding workloads. Memory configurations are highly adaptable, supporting RDIMM, LRDIMM, NVDIMM-N, and DCPMM modules across numerous sockets, with dual-processor setups capable of scaling beyond six terabytes of capacity. The chassis measures approximately eighteen by seventeen by three and a half inches and accommodates either eight front-accessible three-and-a-half-inch drives or sixteen two-and-a-half-inch SAS, SATA, or SSD bays. Internal storage controllers include PERC H330 through H750 variants alongside BOSS-S1 boot optimization cards, while external connectivity is handled by PERC H840 and high-speed HBAs. All drive trays are hot-swappable to minimize downtime during maintenance.
Expansion capabilities for the PowerEdge R740 center around up to eight PCIe Gen 3 slots distributed across configurable riser assemblies that mix full and low profile formats with x8 and x16 electrical links. The system relies on redundant power architecture, supporting dual AC or DC supply units ranging from four hundred ninety-five watts to two thousand four hundred watts in Platinum and Titanium efficiency grades. Management and security are reinforced through an integrated iDRAC Direct micro USB port for field servicing, an internal dual SD module paired with a vFlash card for resilient OS deployment, and a standard CR2032 system battery. Integrated Matrox G200eW3 graphics with sixteen megabytes of frame buffer provide remote console access, while the firmware environment validates compatibility across major platforms including VMware ESXi, Microsoft Windows Server with Hyper-V, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Ubuntu LTS.
Buyers deploying the Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 typically target virtualization hosts, database servers, and general-purpose computing clusters that demand high core counts, massive memory expansion, and rapid storage provisioning. The flexible networking options span multiple network daughter card configurations delivering one through twenty-five gigabit Ethernet speeds, supplemented by support for up to eight additional PCIe adapter cards. Environmental tolerances are explicitly defined for controlled data centers, requiring ISO Class 8 air filtration and operating within standard temperatures of ten to thirty-five degrees Celsius, with restricted extended ranges available for specific configurations. Ultimately, the Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 addresses infrastructure modernization by combining enterprise-grade thermal management, comprehensive redundancy, and extensive hardware customization into a single, production-ready rack platform.
Updated: October 1, 2026Download - Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 Installation and Service Manual
The Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 is a two U rack server engineered for data center environments requiring dense compute density and flexible resource scaling. This dual socket platform accommodates Intel Xeon Scalable processors with scalable core configurations across multiple performance tiers, paired with twenty four DDR4 memory channels supporting RDIMMs, LRDIMMs, NVDIMM-N modules, and Optane persistent memory for substantial capacity expansion. Storage flexibility is provided by up to sixteen hot swappable drive bays utilizing either eight by two point five inch or sixteen by two point five inch backplanes, alongside comprehensive PCIe riser configurations for network interface cards, host bus adapters, and graphics accelerators. IT administrators deploy the Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 to satisfy enterprise virtualization, clustered storage, and high performance computing demands that rely on its two U chassis footprint for efficient rack density and airflow management.
The system relies on precise memory population protocols and distinct operating modes to deliver either peak bandwidth or fault tolerance. Administrators can configure channels in Optimizer, Mirror, Sparing, or Fault Resilient layouts, though the latter strictly requires Gold or Platinum class processors. Matching module speeds and adhering to documented slot sequencing prevents unbalanced data paths, while Optane persistent memory integrates cautiously with standard DRAM without mixing capacities within a single channel. Thermal management scales dynamically, mandating high performance cooling fans when deploying dense memory arrays or GPU workloads. Remote infrastructure control is handled through iDRAC9 and Lifecycle Controller utilities, which streamline operating system provisioning, firmware synchronization, and real-time hardware telemetry across distributed server farms.
Security and field maintenance are tightly governed by chassis-locked components and automated monitoring suites. A motherboard cryptographically bound Trusted Platform Module secures boot sequences and drive encryption, while status control panels provide localized LED diagnostics and LCD navigation for rapid troubleshooting. Hardware servicing demands strict electrostatic precautions, exact torque specifications for processor brackets, and absolute avoidance of mixing power supply wattages or component generations. Post installation procedures require ePSA preboot diagnostic runs, password resets via system board jumpers, and firmware validation to maintain warranty compliance. Organizations utilizing the Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 benefit from its resilient architecture, automated SupportAssist reporting, and comprehensive replacement pathways that minimize downtime while supporting critical enterprise infrastructure deployments.
Updated: October 1, 2026Download - Dell PowerEdge R740xd Spec Sheet
The Dell EMC PowerEdge R740xd is a versatile two-socket rack server designed to balance storage scalability with high performance for demanding enterprise workloads. This 2U form factor system supports up to two Intel Xeon Scalable processors, providing compute density with as many as 56 total cores when both sockets are populated with top-end configurations. The platform features 24 DDR4 memory slots supporting registered ECC DIMMs and RDIMMs or LRDIMMs at speeds up to 2666MT/s, delivering a maximum memory capacity of 3TB, alongside support for NVDIMMs for persistent data retention. As a robust foundation for software-defined storage, virtual desktop infrastructure, and service provider environments, the PowerEdge R740xd offers flexible architecture that accommodates diverse deployment needs while maintaining efficiency and reliability.
Storage flexibility defines the capabilities of the PowerEdge R740xd, which allows administrators to mix NVMe, SSD, and HDD drive types across multiple bays to optimize for performance or capacity. The system supports up to 24 NVMe drives, including front bays with a maximum configuration of 24 by 2.5-inch drives capable of reaching 153TB of NVMe storage, along with optional mid and rear bays for additional SAS or SATA expansion. Expansion capabilities are enhanced by support for graphics and accelerator workloads; depending on the drive chassis configuration, users can install up to six double-width 300W GPUs, six single-width 150W GPUs, or four FPGAs, alongside riser options providing up to eight PCIe Gen 3 slots. Storage controllers include options such as the PERC H740P and software RAID configurations, while boot operations can be optimized using internal M.2 SSDs, ensuring rapid system initialization and streamlined application delivery.
Administration of the Dell EMC PowerEdge R740xd is streamlined through integrated OpenManage technology and iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller, enabling automated routine tasks, agent-free management, and remote access via QuickSync 2. The server emphasizes cyber resilience throughout its lifecycle, incorporating security features like cryptographically signed firmware, Secure Boot, System Lockdown, and TPM support to protect data from factory to retirement, while System Erase ensures secure media wiping when needed. Ideal for deployments involving ScaleIO or VMware vSAN, the PowerEdge R740xd addresses buyer needs for validated Ready Nodes and OEM-ready customization, allowing organizations to reduce IT complexity and maintain a secure, high-performance infrastructure that scales effectively across virtualized and converged environments.
Updated: October 1, 2026Download - Dell EMC XC740xd Hyper-Converged Appliance Solutions Guide
The Dell EMC XC740xd Series Hyper-Converged Appliance represents a consolidated infrastructure solution designed for enterprise virtualization and data center modernization. Built on a standard rack-mounted form factor, the XC740xd supports multiple drive configurations including twelve 3.5-inch hard drives, twenty-four 2.5-inch drives, or a four 2.5-inch layout. Each unit boots from a BOSS card hosting two M.2 SATA solid-state drives in RAID1, while PCIe pass-through expansion slots connect directly to front-facing hot-swap storage for high-performance workloads. The appliance merges compute, networking, and storage into clustered nodes requiring a minimum of three units for full operation. It runs Nutanix software as the underlying virtualization layer, supporting VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Acropolis Hypervisor deployments.
Management and security are tightly integrated through Dell iDRAC, OpenManage Essentials, and the Nutanix Prism web console, allowing administrators to monitor processor allocation, core utilization, memory capacity, network daughter cards, power supplies, and drive health across the entire cluster. Administrators can update firmware via Dell Nautilus for SAS and SATA drives, or utilize Dell Update Packages and Lifecycle Controller for system components. The solution ships with a default Starter license valid for six years, while Pro and Ultimate tiers unlock advanced features through the Nutanix Customer Portal. Secure access is enforced via predefined credentials tied to the appliance Service Tag, and Dell EMC SupportAssist automates diagnostic reporting and ticket generation to minimize downtime.
This infrastructure targets IT buyers seeking to streamline deployment, reduce physical footprint, and simplify backup and recovery operations. The platform supports rapid hardware maintenance by distinguishing between non-data components like memory modules and fans, which can be swapped without cluster disruption, versus data drives requiring Nutanix-specific replacement procedures. For critical continuity, the XC740xd offers bare metal recovery through Rapid Appliance Self-Recovery USB media, ensuring fast restoration of factory configurations across all supported hypervisors. By converging hardware and software delivery, Dell EMC enables organizations to scale efficiently while maintaining strict governance over storage allocation, network routing, and system uptime.
Updated: October 1, 2026Download - Dell EMC XC740xd Getting Started GuideUpdated: October 1, 2026Download
- Dell EMC XC Series (XC640, XC740xd, XC940) Spec Sheet
The Dell EMC XC Series of hyperconverged infrastructure appliances combines Dell PowerEdge server hardware with Nutanix software to deliver consolidated compute and storage in a single platform. Available in the XC640-4, XC640-10, XC740xd-12, XC740xd-24, XC940-24, and XC6420-6 configurations, these 1U, 2U, and 3U appliances are engineered to eliminate the complexity of traditional infrastructure by pooling resources into a fault-tolerant architecture. Each Dell EMC XC Series node supports dual Intel Xeon Gold, Platinum, or Silver processors, with memory capacity scaling from 64 gigabytes up to 6 terabytes using RDIMMs and LRDIMMs. The platform enables data center teams to scale performance linearly by adding nodes one at a time, offering pay-as-you-grow flexibility for expanding virtual environments.
Storage and connectivity options within the Dell EMC XC Series appliances are highly configurable to match specific workload demands. Nodes utilize Dell EMC SAS HBA330 controllers, low profile PCIe boot storage, and dedicated PCIe expansion slots for optional GPU modules. Disk arrays support SAS or SATA solid-state drives ranging from 480 gigabytes to 3.8 terabytes, with NVMe options reaching 3.2 terabytes, alongside hard disk drives up to 10 terabytes. All-flash configurations are available, and self-encrypting drives enhance data protection at rest. Networking flexibility is provided through Intel X550, Intel X710, or Mellanox ConnectX adapters offering speeds from 1 gigabit to 100 gigabit per second. The appliances ship with factory-installed hypervisors including VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, or Nutanix AHV, while Nutanix Prism Central provides a centralized graphical interface for cluster management, system-wide monitoring, and REST API integration with third-party cloud platforms.
Designed to meet rigorous enterprise requirements, the Dell EMC XC Series incorporates a cyber-resilient security framework that spans the hardware lifecycle. Buyers benefit from cryptographically signed firmware, Secure Boot, server lockdown capabilities, and instant system erase functions, all backed by a secure component supply chain. These features ensure reliable operations for virtual desktop infrastructure, private cloud deployments, SQL and Oracle database workloads, data warehouses, and big data analytics. Organizations seeking to reduce IT overhead and accelerate deployment can implement the XC Series in under thirty minutes without sacrificing performance or scalability. Supported by Dell EMC ProDeploy installation services and round-the-clock ProSupport maintenance, the platform delivers predictable expansion and streamlined administration for modern data center infrastructure needs.
Updated: October 1, 2026Download