Dell PowerEdge Servers

Dell PowerEdge Generations: What Enterasource Stocks

Dell releases a new PowerEdge generation approximately every 2-3 years, with each generation introducing a new processor architecture, memory standard, and PCIe version. The table below covers the three generations Enterasource carries.

14th Generation: The Value Standard (R640, R740, R740xd)

14th generation PowerEdge servers remain the most widely deployed enterprise platform in production environments. The R640 (1U, 2-socket) is the standard compute-dense rack server for VMware and Hyper-V clusters — dual Xeon Gold processors (e.g., Gold 6226R, 6248R), 24 DDR4 DIMM slots, and up to 8 NVMe drives in a 1U chassis. The R740 (2U, 2-socket) adds memory headroom (up to 3TB across 24 DIMMs with LRDIMM) and more drive bays for database and storage-heavy workloads. The R740xd extends the R740 to 26 drive bays, making it the go-to for Ceph OSD nodes and high-capacity storage builds.

Also available: R340 (1U, 1-socket, SMB primary), R440 (1U, 2-socket, compute nodes), R540 (2U, storage mid-range), T340 (tower, 1-socket), T440 (tower, 2-socket), T640 (tower, high-capacity).

Best for: Maximum budget efficiency on proven production workloads. 14th gen configurations typically run 30–50% below equivalent 15th gen pricing. Parts are plentiful and the platform is stable for multi-year deployments.

15th Generation: PCIe Gen 4 and Ice Lake (R650, R750)

15th generation systems introduced Intel Xeon Scalable 3rd Gen (Ice Lake-SP), DDR4 at 3200 MT/s, and PCIe Gen 4 — doubling PCIe bandwidth over 14th gen. The R650 (1U) and R750 (2U) are the flagship Intel models. The R650xs adds rear-facing drive bays for additional NVMe density. The R750xa supports up to 4 GPU accelerators alongside standard compute in a 2U footprint, making it the 15th gen choice for AI inference and GPU-accelerated workloads. The R750xs is storage-optimized for NVMe-heavy configurations.

Also available: R450 (1U, compact 2-socket), R550 (2U, storage mid-range), T350 (tower, 1-socket), T550 (tower, 2-socket).

Best for: Deployments that require PCIe Gen 4 bandwidth (NVMe fabric, 100GbE HCAs), GPU acceleration (R750xa), or a longer remaining Dell support lifecycle. Ice Lake brings improved per-core memory bandwidth vs. Cascade Lake for memory-intensive workloads.

16th Generation: Latest Platform (R660, R760)

16th generation is Dell's latest product line. The R660 (1U, 2-socket) and R760 (2U, 2-socket) are the mainstream Intel-platform flagships, running 4th Gen (Sapphire Rapids) or 5th Gen (Emerald Rapids) Xeon Scalable processors. DDR5 memory at 4800–5600 MT/s approximately doubles bandwidth over DDR4. PCIe Gen 5 doubles throughput available to Gen 5 NVMe SSDs (approaching 14 GB/s sequential per drive) and next-generation GPU and network adapters.

The R660xs and R760xs are cost-optimized variants supporting 5th Gen Xeon Scalable with fewer DIMM slots — the right choice when you need latest-generation CPUs without maximum memory capacity. The R760xa supports up to 4 GPU accelerators in 2U.

Best for: DDR5 memory bandwidth, PCIe Gen 5 I/O throughput, and remaining on Dell's active platform roadmap. Refurbished 16th gen enters the secondary market as large enterprises and cloud providers refresh on 2–3 year cycles — the hardware is latest-generation and still within Dell's support lifecycle.

13th Generation (R630, R730, R730xd)

13th generation PowerEdge systems run Intel Xeon E5 v3/v4 processors with DDR4 memory and iDRAC8 remote management. The R630 (1U) and R730 (2U) are available for budget-constrained deployments and lab environments where absolute lowest acquisition cost is the priority. DDR4 memory for 13th gen is available but typically carries a premium compared to equivalent DDR4 modules for newer generations due to lower supply volumes. For most production workloads, 14th generation offers better long-term value.

Which Dell PowerEdge Generation Is Right for You?

Dell PowerEdge Form Factors

Looking for HPE ProLiant or Supermicro alternatives? Browse our full refurbished server inventory to compare enterprise platforms from every brand we carry.

What Dell PowerEdge models does Enterasource stock?

We carry 13th generation (R630, R730, R730xd), 14th generation (R340, R440, R540, R640, R740, R740xd, T340, T440, T640), 15th generation (R450, R550, R650, R650xs, R750, R750xs, R750xa, T350, T550), and 16th generation (R660, R660xs, R760, R760xs, R760xa) systems. Inventory changes daily — if a specific configuration isn't listed, contact us as we frequently have unlisted stock available for configure-to-order builds.

Do used Dell PowerEdge servers come with iDRAC?

Yes. All 14th generation and newer Dell PowerEdge servers include iDRAC9. We configure iDRAC to factory-default network settings before shipping so you can access remote management on first boot. iDRAC Enterprise licensing (required for full KVM-over-IP and virtual media features) can be added to your configuration.

What is the warranty on Enterasource Dell servers?

All Dell PowerEdge servers carry a minimum 2-year warranty covering hardware failures. Extended options up to 5 years are available at checkout. Our warranty covers parts and labor; next-business-day hardware replacement is available on qualifying configurations.

What is the difference between the R640 and R650?

Both are 1U 2-socket rack servers, but they are different generations. The R640 (14th gen) runs Intel Xeon Scalable 1st/2nd Gen (Skylake-SP/Cascade Lake-SP) with DDR4 and PCIe Gen 3. The R650 (15th gen) runs Intel Xeon Scalable 3rd Gen (Ice Lake-SP) with DDR4 at 3200 MT/s and PCIe Gen 4. Choose the R640 for maximum budget efficiency; choose the R650 if PCIe Gen 4 bandwidth or Ice Lake's per-core improvements matter for your workload.

Can I get Dell PowerEdge parts and upgrade components?

Yes — we stock Dell-compatible memory (DDR4/DDR5 RDIMMs and LRDIMMs), SAS/SATA/NVMe drives, PERC RAID controllers, power supplies, and rails. Browse server components and upgrade parts.