DELL PowerEdge R730xd 2U rack server 2× Xeon E5-2699 v3 2.3GHz 18-core 256GB DDR4 H730 12× 3.5" trays

Dense compute and storage node

The PowerEdge R730xd is a 2U rack server built around two Xeon E5-2699 v3 processors, each running 18 cores at 2.3 GHz with 3.6 GHz turbo. With 256 GB of DDR4 ECC memory across 24 slots and a PERC H730 controller driving twelve 3.5-inch SATA or SAS trays, it targets midsize and large enterprises running databases, virtual desktop infrastructure, data-warehouse or high-performance computing workloads. Dual 750 W platinum supplies and iDRAC 8 Enterprise complete the package.

Suits workloads needing many cores

Buyers who need twelve hot-swap 3.5-inch bays backed by hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 or 60 will find the H730 and dual-socket layout well matched. The quad-port X520/I350 daughter card adds two 1 GbE and two 10 Gb SFP+ links for clustered or storage-heavy deployments. Shops that require only a few drives, a single processor, or a shallower chassis should evaluate smaller platforms.

Twelve 3.5-inch SATA/SAS bays with H730 RAID

The single specification that decides fit is the combination of twelve front-accessible 3.5-inch trays and the PERC H730 1 GB controller supporting SATA and SAS drives in multiple RAID modes. If the application demands that exact bay count and controller feature set, this server meets it; if fewer bays or a different controller are needed, another model is appropriate.