Refurbished Dell PowerEdge Servers

Dell PowerEdge Generations Compared

Dell releases a new PowerEdge generation every few years, and each one brings a new processor architecture, memory standard and PCIe version. The table below compares the 13th through 16th generations.

14th Generation: The Value Standard

14th-generation PowerEdge servers run 1st and 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with DDR4 memory, PCIe Gen 3 and iDRAC9. The 1U two-socket models suit compute-dense virtualization clusters; the 2U two-socket models add memory headroom, drive bays and full-height PCIe slots for databases, storage-heavy workloads and GPUs; and the storage-dense xd variant is the usual choice for Ceph and other software-defined storage nodes.

Single-socket rack servers and tower servers, some of which convert to rack mounting, complete the 14th generation for small offices and branch sites.

Best for: proven production workloads where PCIe Gen 3 and DDR4 are enough and budget comes first.

15th Generation: PCIe Gen 4 and Ice Lake

15th-generation systems introduced 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Ice Lake-SP), DDR4 at up to 3200 MT/s and PCIe Gen 4, which doubles per-lane PCIe bandwidth over the 14th generation. Dell's model suffixes describe the variants: xs models are cost-optimized builds with fewer memory slots and drive options, and xa models are 2U chassis built around GPU accelerators.

Compact 1U and 2U two-socket models and tower servers round out the 15th generation.

Best for: deployments that need PCIe Gen 4 bandwidth for NVMe or 100GbE adapters, or GPU acceleration. Ice Lake also gives each processor eight memory channels against Cascade Lake's six, which helps memory-intensive workloads.

16th Generation: DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5

16th-generation PowerEdge servers run 4th Generation (Sapphire Rapids) or 5th Generation (Emerald Rapids) Intel Xeon Scalable processors. DDR5 memory at 4800 to 5600 MT/s raises memory bandwidth well beyond DDR4, and PCIe Gen 5 doubles the throughput available to NVMe SSDs, GPUs and network adapters.

As in the 15th generation, xs variants trade memory slots and drive options for a lower entry cost, and the xa variant is the GPU-dense 2U chassis.

Best for: workloads that need DDR5 memory bandwidth or PCIe Gen 5 I/O.

13th Generation

13th-generation PowerEdge systems run Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 and v4 processors with DDR4 memory and iDRAC8 remote management. They suit lab environments and budget-constrained deployments; for most production workloads the 14th generation is the better long-term choice.

Which Dell PowerEdge Generation Is Right for You?

Dell PowerEdge Form Factors

Looking for HPE ProLiant or Supermicro alternatives? Browse all refurbished servers to compare enterprise platforms across brands.

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.

Can I get Dell PowerEdge parts and upgrade components?

Yes. Enterasource sells 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.

Building a Dell PowerEdge for AI or ML? See which PowerEdge models take which NVIDIA accelerators, and how many, in our Dell PowerEdge GPU Server guide.