PowerEdge R730XD Server 2x E5-2620 V3 16GB - Reliable Rack Compute

In this review of the PowerEdge R730XD, the bottom line is straightforward: it is a capable, rack-mounted server aimed at IT teams and enthusiasts who need dense compute and flexible storage chassis but plan to supply their own drives. The dual Intel Xeon E5-2620 V3 processors deliver steady multi-threaded performance for virtualization and small-scale databases, while the large 24-bay 2.5' chassis gives room to expand storage later. This renewed unit includes a PERC H330 RAID card and iDRAC 8 Express for remote management, making it a practical choice where budget, serviceability, and future scalability matter.

Key Features

• Dual Xeon E5 CPUs: Two Intel Xeon E5-2620 V3 processors provide reliable 12-core physical compute for multitasking and light virtualization workloads.
• 16GB DDR4 Registered Memory: The included 2x8GB PC4-1700R modules offer ECC registered memory stability for server-class operations and error correction.
• High-density Chassis: The R730xd 24-bay 2.5' chassis allows significant storage expansion when drives and trays are added, useful for future growth.
• PERC H330 RAID Controller: The integrated PERC H330 gives hardware RAID options to protect data when you populate drives and configure arrays.
• Redundant Power: Dual 750W power supplies provide redundancy and enough headroom for additional drives and expansion cards.
• Remote Management: iDRAC 8 Express provides basic out-of-band management to troubleshoot and monitor the server remotely.

Who It's For

This server is best for small businesses, lab environments, and IT hobbyists who need a high-density chassis and reliable CPU cores for virtualization hosts, storage consolidation or test clusters. The inclusion of a hardware RAID card and iDRAC simplifies deployment for administrators who will add their own drives and rails.

It is not ideal for buyers who need a turnkey storage appliance since the unit ships with no hard drives, trays, bezel or rails included. Those wanting the latest single-thread performance or quieter, lower-power systems should consider newer generation servers or blades instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid dual-socket platform giving dependable multi-core performance for virtual machines and services.
• Large 24-bay 2.5' chassis gives clear upgrade paths for storage-dense deployments.
• Enterprise features such as the PERC H330 and iDRAC 8 Express support professional management and RAID protection.
• Redundant 750W PSUs improve uptime and tolerance for added components.

Cons

• Ships without hard drives or drive trays, so additional upfront purchase and installation are required to use it as storage.
• Rails and bezel are not included; rack mounting and cosmetic front protection may need extra accessories.

Specifications

Chassis	Dell R730xd 24-bay 2.5' chassis
Processors	2x Intel Xeon E5-2620 V3 2.40GHz (6 cores each)
Memory	16GB (2x8GB PC4-1700R DDR4 Registered)
RAID Controller	PERC H330 RAID Controller
Power Supplies	2x 750W R730 redundant PSUs
Remote Access	iDRAC 8 Express
Hard Drives	No hard drives or trays included

Our Verdict

The renewed PowerEdge R730XD is a practical, value-oriented rack server for IT teams who want a dense chassis and dependable dual-socket performance without paying for new-system premiums. It is a strong choice when you plan for custom storage configuration and care about redundancy and management features; budget for drives, trays and optional rails when purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this server include hard drives?
No. The listing specifies that no hard drives or drive trays are included, so you will need to supply compatible 2.5' drives and trays.

Is remote management available?
Yes. The unit includes iDRAC 8 Express for basic out-of-band monitoring and management of the server.

Are rails or bezel included for rack mounting?
No. Rails are not included and the bezel is also not included but can be added separately if needed.