Virtualisation and cloud hosting
Ideal for VMware, Hyper V and Proxmox environments with balanced compute and memory capacity.
Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 Rackmount Server (2U, Dual Socket, Intel Xeon Scalable)
The Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 is a versatile 2U rackmount server designed to deliver balanced performance, scalability and excellent value. It is ideal for businesses that require reliable compute, flexible storage and expansion capacity across a wide range of workloads.
At ServerSource, we build every R550 to order. You can configure the exact CPU, memory, storage, RAID and networking options required for your workload. This ensures the best performance and long term value for your infrastructure.
Dell Authorised Partner
|3 to 5 Year Warranty
|Ships Across Europe
Key Features and Advantages
Recommended Workloads and Best-Fit Use Cases
The Dell PowerEdge R550 is designed to support a wide range of applications:
Databases and transaction heavy systems
SAS and SATA storage options allow optimised layouts for database and analytics workloads.
Storage focused and hybrid workloads
Supports high capacity storage nodes, file servers and mixed compute and storage environments.
Business applications and general purpose compute
A reliable platform for ERP, CRM, office systems and line of business applications.
Cluster and fleet deployments
The 2U form factor and flexible configuration options make it suitable for standardised rollouts and high availability clusters.
Example Build to Order Configurations
These example configurations demonstrate the flexibility of the R550 platform across different use cases:
| Use Case | CPU & Memory | Storage & I/O Configuration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtualisation host | 2 x Xeon Silver, 128 to 256 GB DDR4 | Mixed SSD and HDD | Balanced VM hosting |
| Database or analytics server | 2 x Xeon Gold, 256 to 512 GB DDR4 | SAS SSD arrays | Strong I/O performance |
| Storage optimised node | 2 x Xeon Silver, 128 GB DDR4 | High capacity HDDs with SSD cache | Ideal for file and backup workloads |
| General purpose server | 1 or 2 x Xeon CPUs, moderate RAM | Flexible SAS or SATA | Suitable for business applications |
Configurations vary depending on chassis and backplane.
Technical Specifications
Key technical specifications for the Dell PowerEdge R550 2U rack server:
- Form factor: 2U rackmount
- Processors: Up to two 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs (up to 24 cores per CPU)
- Memory: 16 DDR4 DIMM slots, RDIMM, up to 1 TB max
- Storage: Up to 16 x 2.5 inch SAS or SATA; Up to 8 x 3.5 inch SAS or SATA; Boot options: BOSS S2, dual SD module, USB
- Expansion: 3 x PCIe Gen4 and 1 x PCIe Gen3
- Networking: 2 x 1 GbE LOM, optional OCP 3.0
- Power supplies: 600 W or 800 W Platinum, or 1100 W -48V DC
- Cooling: Standard air cooling
- Security: TPM, Secure Boot, Silicon Root of Trust, cryptographically signed firmware
Why Buy from ServerSource
Fast Delivery
UK and EU delivery available with genuine Dell EMC hardware and full warranty support.
Competitive Pricing
Perfectly priced Dell EMC systems with transparent quote process and no hidden fees.
Expert Support
Pre sales technical consultation to ensure your R550 configuration meets your exact needs.
Build your Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 server online
Adjust CPUs, memory, storage, NVMe, RAID, NICs and operating system options as needed, then submit your R550 configuration to our team for pricing and availability.
Dell PowerEdge R550 Technical Specifications
Detailed technical specifications for the Dell PowerEdge R550 2U rack server with 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors.
Processor Support
The R550 supports up to two 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (up to 24 cores per CPU). Instead of listing specific SKUs, we recommend offering entry and mid-range CPU tiers based on your standard inventory to match workload requirements.
Storage and I/O Configuration
| Component | Specification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Storage | BOSS S2, dual SD module, USB | Multiple boot options available |
| RAID Controllers | PERC RAID Controllers | Various PERC RAID controllers available for SAS/SATA storage management |
| PCIe Generation | 3 x PCIe Gen4, 1 x PCIe Gen3 | High-bandwidth I/O for storage, networking, and expansion cards |
| Drive Bays | Front | Up to 16 x 2.5 inch or up to 8 x 3.5 inch SAS/SATA drive options |
Power and Thermal Specifications
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power Supply Units | 600 W or 800 W Platinum, or 1100 W -48V DC | Hot-swap PSUs with Platinum efficiency or DC options |
| Cooling | Standard air cooling | Standard air cooling for reliable operation in data centre environments |
Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 technical overview
The R550 platform includes:
What is the power consumption of the Dell R550?
The Dell PowerEdge R550 supports flexible Power Supply Unit (PSU) configurations: 600 W or 800 W Platinum efficiency, or 1100 W -48V DC options. The Platinum efficiency PSUs deliver high efficiency, significantly reducing operational costs in data centre environments. Power consumption varies based on CPU configuration, memory density, and storage options, but typical configurations are designed for efficient operation.
Why choose a 2U rackmount server?
2U rackmount servers like the Dell PowerEdge R550 offer a balanced combination of performance, storage capacity, and expansion options. The 2U form factor provides more space for drive bays and expansion slots compared to 1U servers, making it ideal for workloads requiring greater storage capacity or additional PCIe expansion. The R550 delivers dual-socket performance in a versatile 2U form factor, making it suitable for a wide range of business applications.
What makes the R550 cost-effective?
The Dell PowerEdge R550 is designed as a versatile dual-socket server that provides excellent value for businesses requiring balanced performance and scalability. With 16 DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 1TB of memory, the R550 offers strong performance for virtualisation, databases, and general-purpose server applications without the complexity and cost of higher-end models.
Key Features Summary
- Form factor: 2U rack server chassis with front drive bays.
- Processors: Up to two 3rd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors (up to 24 cores per CPU).
- Memory: 16 DDR4 DIMM slots supporting RDIMM modules, up to 1 TB maximum memory.
- Storage: Up to 16 x 2.5 inch or up to 8 x 3.5 inch SAS/SATA drive options; Boot options: BOSS S2, dual SD module, USB.
- Controllers: Choice of PERC RAID and HBA controllers plus optional BOSS boot modules.
- Networking: 2 x 1 GbE LOM plus optional OCP 3.0 networking module.
- Expansion: 3 x PCIe Gen4 and 1 x PCIe Gen3 slots for RAID, NICs, HBAs and expansion cards.
- Management: iDRAC9, OpenManage Enterprise and integrations with VMware, Microsoft, Ansible and more for automated lifecycle management.
- Security: TPM, Secure Boot, Silicon Root of Trust, cryptographically signed firmware and system lockdown features.
Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 build-to-order FAQ
Find answers to common questions about configuring and ordering your Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 server
Can I configure any Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 server online?
Yes. Our online configurator covers a wide range of Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 options including CPUs, memory, hard drives, SSDs, NVMe, RAID controllers, NICs and operating systems. Submit your configuration for a personalised quote with competitive pricing.
Which workloads are Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 servers best suited for?
PowerEdge R550 servers are ideal for a wide range of business applications, virtualisation clusters, database and analytics platforms, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), high-frequency trading and AI/ML workloads that demand high performance in a compact 1U footprint. The dual-socket architecture supports demanding enterprise applications.
Can I standardise on a single R550 reference configuration?
Absolutely. Design a standard specification and repeat that build across multiple Dell EMC PowerEdge R550 servers. This simplifies lifecycle management, capacity planning and spares holdings, making fleet management more efficient and cost-effective.
Do you support other Dell EMC PowerEdge server models?
Yes. ServerSource can configure a wide range of Dell EMC PowerEdge rack and tower servers including R640, R740, R750, R760, R860, T550, T560 and more. Visit our Dell EMC build-to-order online store to explore other models and generations.
Why choose ServerSource for your Dell EMC PowerEdge R550?
We validate every component choice for compatibility and real-world balance so that your custom R550 configuration is ready for production use. All servers come with genuine Dell EMC hardware, full manufacturer warranty, and expert pre-sales and after-sales support.