Dell R730 Server

Build A Refurbished Dell PowerEdge R730

Start with a preconfigured Dell PowerEdge R730 or request a custom quote with the processors, memory, storage, RAID, networking, GPU, and expansion options your workload requires.

Dell R730 Configuration Options

TekBoost can configure the R730 around your performance requirements, memory capacity, storage type, RAID preference, network environment, and application needs.

What Is The Dell PowerEdge R730 Best Used For?

The R730 is best for businesses that need a balanced 2U Dell PowerEdge platform with strong compute, flexible memory, useful storage options, and room for expansion.

Dell R730 Compared To Similar Dell Servers

Not sure if the R730 is the right platform? Compare it with related Dell PowerEdge models.

Refurbished Dell R730 Servers Configured By TekBoost

TekBoost helps businesses source refurbished Dell PowerEdge servers with tested hardware, practical configuration options, and knowledgeable sales support.

Dell PowerEdge R730 Specifications At A Glance

A quick reference for the R730's core platform capabilities. Exact configuration availability depends on chassis and processor selection.

Dell R730 Processor & CPU Support

The R730 supports up to two Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 ("Haswell") or v4 ("Broadwell") series processors, with core counts ranging up to 22 per processor on the higher-end v4 parts. The two series can generally be mixed with some compatibility caveats, but most configurations pair matching processors. Buyers targeting GPU workloads should note the R730's internal GPU support requires processors rated at 135W or less — a detail worth confirming before selecting a specific CPU if GPU acceleration is part of the plan.

Dell R730 Memory & DIMM Configuration

Each R730 has 24 DDR4 DIMM slots supporting registered ECC memory (RDIMM or LRDIMM), with speeds up to 2400MT/s depending on the installed processor. Populated with 64GB LRDIMMs across both processors, the platform supports up to roughly 1.5TB of total memory — some sources cite up to 3TB using less common 128GB LRDIMMs, though 1.5TB is the figure most consistently documented and the practical ceiling for most configurations. For virtualization and database workloads, a mid-capacity RDIMM configuration covers typical needs without the cost premium of full LRDIMM population.

Dell R730 RAID & Storage Controller Options

Storage controller options on the R730 range from the PERC S130 software RAID controller (SATA drives only, no cache) up through the PERC H330 (hardware RAID, no cache) and the PERC H730P (hardware RAID with 2GB cache). Unlike the newer 14th Generation platforms, the R730 does not offer the higher-cache H740P controller. For virtualization and database workloads where write performance matters, the H730P is typically worth the upgrade over the entry-level S130 or H330 options.

Dell R730 Networking, PCIe & GPU Considerations

The R730 accepts a network daughter card plus additional PCIe adapters, with daughter card options spanning 1GbE (Intel I350, Broadcom 5720), 10GbE (Intel X540/X550/X710, Broadcom 57412/57800S), and 25GbE (Mellanox ConnectX-4). Dell's own documentation for the R730 describes support for up to two 300W, full-length, double-wide GPUs (or up to four lower-wattage GPUs in supported configurations), making it one of the more GPU-capable platforms in this generation — subject to processor TDP limits, GPU-specific heat sinks, and adequate power supply capacity. TekBoost's own R730 configurator does not currently list a GPU add-on as a purchasable option, so buyers with a specific GPU requirement should confirm the exact card, riser, and power supply compatibility before ordering.

Dell R730 iDRAC8 Remote Management

The R730 includes Dell's iDRAC8 out-of-band management controller, standard on every TekBoost configuration. iDRAC8 gives administrators remote console, virtual media, monitoring, and firmware-update access independent of the installed OS. iDRAC8 ships in Express and Enterprise license tiers — Express covers basic remote management, while Enterprise adds full remote console and more granular configuration. Buyers who specifically need iDRAC9's newer web interface and expanded feature set should look at a 14th Generation platform like the R740 instead.

R730 Vs R630: 2U Expansion Or 1U Density?

The R730 and R630 are both 13th Generation Dell servers built on the same Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 processor family, the same DDR4 memory architecture (both topping out around 1.5TB), and the same iDRAC8 management — the real difference is chassis size and expansion. The R630's 1U footprint fits more servers per rack but limits it to roughly 2-3 PCIe slots and no room for full-length, double-wide GPU cards. The R730's 2U chassis offers up to 16 front drive bays, up to 7 PCIe slots depending on configuration, and genuine support for double-wide GPUs. Choose the R630 when rack density is the priority and a moderate drive count and expansion is enough; choose the R730 when the workload needs more local storage, more PCIe expansion, or GPU acceleration than a 1U chassis can provide.

R730 Vs R740: Is The Newer Generation Worth It?

The R740 is the R730's 14th Generation successor, moving from Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 processors and iDRAC8 to Xeon Scalable processors and iDRAC9, with a higher maximum memory ceiling, faster memory speeds, and more PCIe expansion for GPU and accelerator use. The R730 remains a proven, lower-cost 2U platform on the refurbished market, and its own strong PCIe and GPU support still cover many virtualization, database, and VDI workloads without the cost premium of the newer processor family. Neither platform is universally better — the choice comes down to how much the newer generation's performance and expansion headroom matter for your workload versus budget.

R730 Lifecycle & Refurbished Buying Context

Dell does not publish a fixed end-of-life or end-of-support date for PowerEdge servers, but as a 13th Generation platform first released in 2014, the R730 is a mature, well-established platform with a very large installed base and strong parts availability on the refurbished market. It remains a solid, cost-effective choice for virtualization, business applications, backup, and even GPU-assisted VDI or light AI workloads where the newer processor generation isn't required. Buyers who need the newest hypervisor certifications, the highest per-core performance, or native NVMe storage should look at a 14th Generation platform like the R740 instead; for most general-purpose enterprise workloads, the R730's balanced compute, expansion, and GPU support still hold up well.

Dell PowerEdge R730 Questions