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How to choose the perfect Dell PowerEdge R-series server for your business needs

Dell servers in racks
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There’s a Dell PowerEdge rack, modular or tower server that’s perfect for virtually every organisation. If you need an efficient, compact system for edge or space-constrained environments, the PowerEdge line includes dense 1U and 2U rackable, stackable or tower options designed for easy deployment and management. For more demanding roles, it also offers data centre-class platforms that deliver the performance, scalability and acceleration needed for modern workloads such as big data analytics and AI.

No matter what the scenario, R-series servers are the perfect match, and with plenty of scope to grow with your business, they’re a smart long-term investment.

What is Dell Smart Selection?

Smart Selection configurations offer a balanced specification ready for real-world workloads

If you need a server that’s ready to work from day one, look for the Dell Smart Selection brand. Smart Selection servers are pre-configured to meet common business needs, validated by the manufacturer and usually ready to ship right away, so you can hit the ground running. Customisations like extra RAM or storage can be added later – or, browse the full range of server models and put together your own tailor-made solution.

Dell server top view

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Which processor is right for me?

With a full range of AMD and Intel options, you can pick the right silicon for your workload

If your business relies on heavily parallel workloads, PowerEdge R-series servers can deliver the core density and throughput you need. With latest-generation AMD EPYC processors, select configurations offer up to 192 cores and 384 execution threads per CPU, enabling massive parallelism for data-intensive and virtualised environments.

If you prefer Intel architectures you can choose from a wide range of Intel Xeon-based PowerEdge servers, including dual-socket systems designed for demanding multi-threaded workloads. Across the portfolio, PowerCool technologies use computational fluid dynamics and advanced fan and heatsink designs to optimise airflow, helping maintain high performance and system stability even under heavy load.

How much memory do I need?

Highly expandable designs let you start with a basic allocation, then add more RAM as required

For most server roles there’s no need to max out the memory on day one – you can scale capacity over time. Dell PowerEdge rack servers are designed to be easily upgraded, so you can add RAM as your workloads grow. For example, a PowerEdge R260 server can start with a 16GB ECC DDR5 configuration, then later expand up to 128GB of memory.

Businesses with more demanding workloads can step up to systems such as the PowerEdge R760xs, which supports up to 1.5TB of DDR5 RDIMM memory – or select AMD EPYC-based R-series servers that offer as much as 6TB of RAM for large virtualisation hosts and in-memory databases.

Dell server front view

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What about storage?

Choose a chassis size to suit your storage needs, or attach external storage for almost limitless capacity

With a choice of 1U and 2U chassis, you can pick the Dell R-series server to suit your storage demands. The largest R-series models can accommodate an onboard capacity of more than 490TB – but it’s not just about space. Many models accept NVMe Direct drives for the ultimate in low-latency, high-bandwidth storage, while an optional HBA Fibre Channel connector lets you attach additional high-speed external storage.

Dell server rear view

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What management options do I require?

Everything you need is built in, with integrated administration of individual units, plus large-scale management of your whole server fleet

All PowerEdge R-series servers support Dell’s powerful iDRAC9 remote management platform, allowing you to securely control and monitor any unit from a central console. AI-supported features provide proactive insights about resource usage, energy consumption and overall health. For larger organisations, optional OpenManage Enterprise support enables site-wide, policy-based management of a whole fleet of servers for zero-touch configuration, update management and more. Whatever scale you’re working at, Dell’s PowerEdge R-series servers combine versatility with ease of administration.

Dell server top view at a side angle

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How do I get support for my Dell PowerEdge R-series server?

Get peace of mind with guaranteed four-hour onsite assistance for mission-critical servers

If you need to keep downtime to a minimum, Dell has you covered. PowerEdge R-series servers benefit from a whole range of support options, including a four-hour onsite service for business-critical deployments. If that’s overkill for you, next-day support is included as standard, with three years of coverage included at the point of purchase. Extended lifecycle options let you continue to use your equipment with confidence for many years to come.

Data center

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Why should I choose a Dell PowerEdge R-series server?

A comprehensive range of scalable, reliable and power-efficient servers to suit any role

The Dell R-series range has something for every scenario. Smart Selection makes it easy to pick a balanced system that’s ready for your workloads, but just as important are the extensive customisation options. You can tailor the CPU, RAM and storage at the point of purchase, and expand over time to get the maximum longevity and value from your server hardware.

Other options include your choice of RAID controller, fault-tolerant power supplies, network adapters – supporting Ethernet speeds up to 100Gbits/sec – GPU accelerator cards and a range of preinstalled server operating systems to instantly slot into your environment.

Dell can provide top-to-bottom advice on choosing the right specification, but the flexibility to customise your system is always in your hands. As we said at the beginning, there’s a PowerEdge R-series server that’s perfect for every organisation. All you need to do is match it up to your needs.

If you think PowerEdge R-Series servers are the right fit to give your business that streamlined edge, visit the Dell website to learn more.