DELL VRTX 5U rack server 2× M630 2× E5-2670v3 2.3GHz 12-Core 256GB 12× 20TB 7.2K SAS

Dell VRTX 5U server for dense compute

The Dell VRTX 5U rack server integrates two M630 blades, each fitted with dual E5-2670v3 2.3GHz 12-Core processors and 256GB DDR4 memory. This configuration targets environments that need high core counts and large memory capacity within a single 5U enclosure. It suits virtualisation hosts, database nodes or rendering farms where blade density reduces cabling and rack footprint.

Storage and networking bundle impact

Twelve 20TB 7.2K SAS drives fill every 3.5-inch bay, delivering raw capacity managed by a single PERC8 S130 RAID controller. An internal 1GB switch module connects the blades without external cables, while each blade adds a 10GB Intel X520 dual-port adapter for uplink flexibility. The combination eliminates separate top-of-rack switches for small clusters and provides redundant 1600W power supplies across the chassis.

Installation notes and common pitfalls

The chassis arrives populated, so racking the 5U unit and connecting power and uplinks are the main physical steps. Blade firmware and iDRAC8 Express must be aligned before production use; mismatched versions often cause management disconnects. The S130 controller lacks cache, so write-heavy workloads may need a controller upgrade. Full-height PCIe slots are limited to three, restricting GPU or additional NIC density.