Virtualisation and cloud hosting
Dual processors and high memory density make the R650 ideal for VMware, Hyper-V and Proxmox clusters, supporting dense VM or container workloads with consistent performance.
Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 Rackmount Server (1U, Dual-Socket, Intel Xeon Scalable)
The Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 delivers enterprise performance in a compact 1U rackmount chassis, providing a strong balance of compute density, memory capacity and flexible storage options. Supporting dual 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, up to 32 DDR4 DIMM slots and a wide range of SAS, SATA and NVMe storage configurations, the R650 is ideal for virtualisation, databases, cloud infrastructure, VDI and high-performance workloads.
At ServerSource you can configure the R650 to your exact requirements. Choose processors, memory, storage layout, RAID controllers, networking and operating system to create a build that delivers the performance and value your workload needs, whether deploying a single system or rolling out an entire data centre fleet.
Configure your Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 online
Genuine Dell EMC hardware
Expert pre-sales support
Key Features and Advantages
Fast Delivery
UK & 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 R650 configuration meets your exact needs.
Recommended Workloads and Best-Fit Use Cases
The Dell PowerEdge R650 is optimised for a wide range of enterprise workloads and applications:
Databases and transaction-heavy workloads
With strong I/O performance and NVMe support, the R650 suits relational databases, data warehouses and transaction processing environments.
Storage-optimised or hybrid workloads
Flexible drive bay options allow creation of hybrid SSD, NVMe and HDD layouts suitable for file servers, storage nodes or mixed compute and storage requirements.
GPU, AI, VDI and rendering workloads
Supported configurations can host single-width GPUs or accelerators, making the R650 suitable for VDI, AI and ML inference, CAD, rendering and computational workflows.
High-density rack deployments
The 1U chassis offers excellent compute density for data centres requiring strong performance in limited space.
Clustered or fleet deployments
Consistent build configuration makes the R650 well suited to large-scale server rollouts and high-availability clusters.
Example Build to Order Configurations
These example configurations demonstrate the flexibility of the R650 platform across different use cases:
| Use Case | CPU & Memory | Storage & I/O Configuration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light virtualisation or application server | 2 × Xeon Silver with 128 GB DDR4 | 2 × NVMe SSD with optional SATA | Cost-effective server for general workloads and medium-size VM hosting |
| Balanced VM or database host | 2 × Xeon Gold with 256 GB DDR4 | 4 × NVMe SSD in RAID with optional HDD | Strong performance for databases or virtualised environments |
| High-performance or in-memory workloads | 2 × Xeon Gold or Platinum with 512 GB DDR4 | NVMe-only storage with optional accelerators | Suitable for analytics, caching and compute-intensive tasks |
| Storage-optimised node | 2 × Xeon Silver with 128 GB DDR4 | HDD capacity pool plus SSD or NVMe cache | Ideal for file servers or hybrid compute and storage workloads |
(Configurations vary depending on chosen chassis and backplane.)
Technical Specifications
Key technical specifications for the Dell PowerEdge R650 1U rack server:
- Form factor: 1U rackmount
- Processors: Up to two 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, up to 40 cores per CPU
- Memory: 32 DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 2 TB RDIMM or up to 8 TB LRDIMM at 3200 MT/s, Intel Persistent Memory 200 Series options
- Storage: Flexible SAS, SATA and NVMe configurations, front and optional rear 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch bays, boot via BOSS-S2 with 240 GB or 480 GB M.2 NVMe options
- Expansion: PCIe Gen4 slots for RAID cards, NICs, HBAs and GPU options
- RAID controllers: PERC H755, PERC H755N for NVMe RAID, and HBA options
- Networking: Embedded 1 GbE plus OCP 3.0 and PCIe networking options up to 100 GbE
- Cooling: Advanced air cooling with optional Direct Liquid Cooling for high-performance builds
- Power supplies: 800 W, 1100 W or 1400 W Platinum or Titanium efficiency PSUs
- Management: iDRAC9, OpenManage Enterprise and integrations with VMware, Microsoft, Ansible and other automation tools
- Security: Silicon Root of Trust, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, cryptographically signed firmware and system lockdown features
Why Buy from ServerSource
- Fully customisable build to order configurations – Configure CPU, memory, storage, RAID, networking and operating system options to match your exact requirements
- Genuine Dell EMC hardware with comprehensive warranty options – Choose from 3-year NBD, 5-year Professional Support, and Mission Critical 24/7 support packages
- Transparent pricing and fast UK and EU delivery – No hidden fees, competitive pricing, and rapid shipping for all configurations
- UK-based expert pre-sales guidance – Technical consultation to ensure your R650 configuration delivers optimal performance for your workloads
- Ideal for both single system purchases and fleet deployments – Standardise on consistent builds across multiple servers for simplified management
- Full manufacturer warranty and support – All servers include genuine Dell EMC hardware with complete warranty coverage and technical support
Build your Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 server online
Adjust CPUs, memory, storage, NVMe, RAID, NICs and operating system options as needed, then submit your R650 configuration to our team for pricing and availability.
Prefer a different Dell EMC PowerEdge platform? Our build-to-order online store also covers other Dell EMC PowerEdge rack servers, tower servers and storage building blocks including R640, R740, R750, R760, T550 and more.
Dell PowerEdge R650 Technical Specifications
Detailed technical specifications for the Dell PowerEdge R650 1U rack server with 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Ice Lake).
Processor Compatibility
| CPU Tier | Model | Cores/Threads | Base Frequency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Intel Xeon Silver 4309Y | 8C/16T | 2.80GHz | General purpose, light virtualisation |
| Mid-Range | Intel Xeon Gold 5318Y | 24C/48T | 2.10GHz | Database, analytics, VDI |
| Performance | Intel Xeon Gold 6338 | 32C/64T | 2.00GHz | High-performance computing, AI/ML |
| Enterprise | Intel Xeon Platinum 8358 | 32C/64T | 2.60GHz | Mission-critical workloads |
Storage and I/O Configuration
| Component | Specification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Storage | BOSS-S2 | Rear-accessible hot-pluggable M.2 boot drives (240GB, 480GB, 960GB NVMe options) |
| RAID Controllers | PERC H755, PERC H755N | H755: SAS/SATA RAID with 8GB cache. H755N: Hardware NVMe RAID with 8GB cache for NVMe drives |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe Gen 4 | High-bandwidth I/O for NVMe drives, accelerators, and 25GbE/100GbE networking |
| Drive Bays | Front & Rear | Flexible 2.5" and 3.5" SAS/SATA/NVMe drive options |
Power and Thermal Specifications
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power Supply Units | 800W, 1100W, 1400W | Platinum/Titanium efficiency, mixed-mode support |
| Operating Temperature | 10°C to 35°C | ASHRAE A3/A4 compliant for extended temperature ranges |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to 65°C | Wide range for shipping and storage |
| Cooling | Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) | Optional liquid cooling for high-performance computing environments |
Comparison: Dell PowerEdge R650 vs R450
While the Dell PowerEdge R450 is an excellent entry-level 1U server, the R650 offers superior performance and capabilities for demanding workloads.
| Feature | Dell PowerEdge R650 | Dell PowerEdge R450 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Slots | 32 DDR4 DIMM slots | 16 DDR4 DIMM slots |
| Maximum Memory | Up to 4TB | Up to 2TB |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe Gen 4 | PCIe Gen 4 |
| Processor Generation | 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable (Ice Lake) | 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable (Ice Lake) |
| NVMe Hardware RAID | Yes (PERC H755N) | Limited support |
| BOSS-S2 Boot Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | VDI, Database, AI/ML, High-density virtualisation | Entry-level workloads, Small business applications |
Why choose the R650 over the R450? The R650 offers double the memory capacity (32 DIMMs vs 16) and superior NVMe hardware RAID support via the PERC H755N controller, making it the ideal choice for VDI, database, and high-performance computing workloads. For entry-level applications, the R450 provides excellent value.
Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 technical overview
The R650 platform includes:
What is the power consumption of the Dell R650?
The Dell PowerEdge R650 supports flexible Power Supply Unit (PSU) configurations ranging from 800W to 1400W with Platinum or Titanium efficiency ratings. The Titanium efficiency PSUs deliver up to 96% efficiency at 50% load, significantly reducing operational costs in data centre environments. Power consumption varies based on CPU configuration, memory density, and storage options, but typical configurations consume between 200W (idle) and 800W (full load) depending on workload intensity.
Does the Dell R650 support liquid cooling?
Yes, the Dell PowerEdge R650 supports Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) options, making it ideal for high-performance computing (HPC) environments where thermal management is critical. DLC allows for more efficient heat dissipation compared to traditional air cooling, enabling higher sustained CPU frequencies and reduced fan noise. This feature is particularly valuable for AI/ML training workloads, scientific computing, and other compute-intensive applications.
Why choose a 1U rackmount server?
1U rackmount servers like the Dell PowerEdge R650 offer superior density compared to 2U or tower servers, allowing you to maximise compute power per rack unit. This is essential for data centres with limited space or high-density virtualisation environments. The R650 delivers dual-socket performance in a compact 1U form factor, making it ideal for 1U rackmount server deployments where space efficiency is paramount.
Intel vs AMD: Should I choose the R650 or R6515?
The Dell PowerEdge R650 uses Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Ice Lake), while the R6515 uses AMD EPYC processors. For maximum single-thread performance and Intel-optimised software ecosystems (such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft SQL Server, and many enterprise applications), the R650 remains the industry standard. If you require higher core counts per dollar and are running workloads optimised for AMD architecture, consider the Dell PowerEdge R6515 with AMD EPYC processors. Both servers support PCIe Gen 4 and offer excellent performance for their respective use cases.
Is the Dell R650 the replacement for the R640?
Yes, the Dell PowerEdge R650 is the direct successor to the popular Dell EMC PowerEdge R640 (14th Generation). The R650 offers significant improvements including 50% higher memory bandwidth, PCIe Gen 4 support (vs PCIe Gen 3 in the R640), and support for 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Ice Lake) with improved IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) performance. The R650 also features enhanced NVMe support with hardware RAID via the PERC H755N controller, making it the ideal upgrade path for R640 customers.
Key Features Summary
- Form factor: 1U rack server chassis with front and optional rear drive bays.
- Processors: Up to two 3rd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors (up to 40 cores per CPU).
- Memory: 32 DDR4 DIMM slots supporting RDIMM or LRDIMM modules with speeds up to 3200 MT/s and Intel® Persistent Memory options.
- Storage: Flexible SAS/SATA and NVMe options, including all-flash and hybrid R650 backplanes with multiple front and rear 2.5" or 3.5" bays.
- Controllers: Choice of PERC RAID and HBA controllers plus BOSS boot modules for mirrored M.2 SSDs.
- Networking: Embedded 1GbE plus OCP 3.0 and PCIe expansion for 10GbE, 25GbE and higher bandwidth adapters.
- Expansion: PCIe Gen4 slots for RAID, NICs, HBAs and GPU options.
- Management: iDRAC9, OpenManage Enterprise and integrations with VMware, Microsoft, Ansible and more for automated lifecycle management.
- Security: Silicon root of trust, secure boot, cryptographically signed firmware and system lockdown features.
Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 build-to-order FAQ
Find answers to common questions about configuring and ordering your Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 server
Can I configure any Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 server online?
Yes. Our online configurator covers a wide range of Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 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 R650 servers best suited for?
PowerEdge R650 servers are ideal for traditional corporate IT, 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 R650 reference configuration?
Absolutely. Design a standard specification and repeat that build across multiple Dell EMC PowerEdge R650 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 R650?
We validate every component choice for compatibility and real-world balance so that your custom R650 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.