We run the 900 and 700 models.
Web Design, IT & Organization of Art Events at Fluor Corporation
Compact and reliable storage solution that supports high performance workloads
Pros and Cons
- "PowerEdge Rack Servers offer good performance in handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads and offer good value for money."
- "PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel offer good performance in handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads and offer good value for money."
- "The security of this solution could be improved. We have very specific needs as an engineering company and require multiple layers of security. This is not offered when implementing the Dell hardware."
- "The security of this solution could be improved. We have very specific needs as an engineering company and require multiple layers of security."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel offer good performance in handling the evolving needs of high-performance workloads and offer good value for money.
The Intel Xeon scalable processor has helped to improve the performance of our targeted workloads. Dell's OpenManage console is easy to use.
PowerEdge Rack Servers has affected the overall flexibility of our operations. We are able to build our data centers with multiple clusters, and that provides sufficient scalability for us to do bigger deployments.
What is most valuable?
The support that you receive from Dell after buying this product is very valuable.
What needs improvement?
The long lead times in receiving hardware could be improved.
We have experienced issues with memory. We received help from the Dell team and this has been resolved.
The security of this solution could be improved. We have very specific needs as an engineering company and require multiple layers of security. This is not offered when implementing the Dell hardware.
Dell's OpenManage console is easy to use but could be better by offering additional features. The console has not decreased the time it takes to deploy new data centers.
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge R-Series
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge R-Series. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
885,376 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using PowerEdge Rack Servers powered by Intel for over 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service for this solution is very good. I would rate it an eight out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We have used different solutions including Lenovo. We currently use Dell for all of our needs from our user hardware to our infrastructure data center.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. We had 10 staff members involved in the deployment. The server bill team set up the hardware and the DMR team ran the virtualization layer over it. The security team completed the checks. We have about 55,000 users supported by this solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing is expensive and inflexible.
What other advice do I have?
For anyone looking for a reliable storage solution, I would recommend PowerEdge.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Platform and Backup Support Senior Manager at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
A centralized data processing solution that offered immediate ROI
Pros and Cons
- "The complete hyper-converged infrastructure of this solution has been most useful. PowerEdge has helped to reduce data processing time by 20%."
- "When we moved to PowerEdge Rack Servers, we converted all the physical legacy servers to the virtualized server, reducing operational cost, maintenance, and improving availability of the environment by 30 to 40%, while increasing functionality from 92 to 93% up to 98 to 99%."
- "Since the start of COVID, there is a shortage of support resources and it is challenging to get queries resolved quickly."
- "Since the start of COVID, there is a shortage of support resources and it is challenging to get queries resolved quickly."
What is our primary use case?
We used PowerEdge Rack Servers to transfer all of our physical servers and legacy systems into a virtualized environment on VMware.
How has it helped my organization?
When we moved to PowerEdge Rack Servers, we converted all the physical legacy servers to the virtualized server. This reduced the operational cost, maintenance, and availability of the environment by 30 to 40%.
This solution's analytics have helped to decrease downtime. We were previously maintaining functionality by 92 to 93%, and this has increased to 98 to 99%.
What is most valuable?
The security features that PowerEdge provides have been very useful for our environment. We have integrated iDRAC Telemetry with our internal centralized monitoring tool, HPSM.
The complete hyper-converged infrastructure of this solution has been most useful. PowerEdge helped to reduce the data processing time by 20%. The system's management frameworks enabled us to progress towards full automation.
For how long have I used the solution?
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a very stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a scalable solution. We have almost 800 servers hosted on PowerEdge as well as almost all major banking applications.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate the technical support for this solution a seven out of ten. Since the start of COVID, there is a shortage of support resources and it is challenging to get queries resolved quickly.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used HPE servers, but found that Dell offered enhanced features in comparison and was the best option in Saudi Arabia. Dell offered stability and scalability.
How was the initial setup?
Deployment took approximately a week. Initially, we required three people to do the deployment. After the deployment, we have three people dedicated to doing operations and maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
The initial setup was completed by Dell.
What was our ROI?
Within 24 months, we saw return on investment by using this solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is good compared to other products.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend PowerEdge Rack Servers because it is very stable and easy to deploy, manage, and maintain. It also offers reliable performance.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge R-Series
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerEdge R-Series. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
885,376 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Information Technology Manager at The Gateway Engineers, Inc.
Memory processing and storage solution that has increased staff productivity by 25%
Pros and Cons
- "This solution has helped decrease production down time by 25%. The system management capabilities of PowerEdge has helped increase staff productivity by 25% and helped to reduce data processing time in our organization by 10%."
- "This solution is really reliable, the storage functionality is our favourite feature, it is easy to work with, maintain and deploy, and it has helped decrease production down time by 25%, increased staff productivity by 25%, and reduced data processing time in our organization by 10%."
- "The data analytics for this solution could be improved."
- "The data analytics for this solution could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We specifically used the VMware and ESX host.
How has it helped my organization?
The system integration details are our favourite feature and the fact that we can maintain and control the systems remotely.
The iDRAC Telemetry for monitoring the PowerEdge system is useful. Some of our servers are not in our data centers so we are able to manage them remotely, in case of an outage or any other problem.
What is most valuable?
This solution is really reliable. The storage functionality is our favourite feature. I would rate this solution a ten out of ten when it comes to running the latest high-demand applications. It is easy to work with, maintain and deploy.
Lastly, this solution has helped decrease production down time by 25%. The system management capabilities of PowerEdge have helped increase staff productivity by 25% and helped to reduce data processing time in our organization by 10%.
What needs improvement?
The data analytics for this solution could be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable solution. It offers reliability and we have not had any outages. It improves with every generation.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a scalable solution. We have 200 employees making use of a full stack of applications supported by this solution.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate the support for this solution a seven out of ten. This is due to the fact that there is sometimes a shortage of parts.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. Deployment took two days. We implemented new power servers in a cluster one by one.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This solution is reasonably priced and licenses are easy to acquire.
What other advice do I have?
The PowerEdge system management frameworks have enabled our business to progress towards full automation. This has freed up time to focus on different parts of the business, rather than constantly monitoring issues.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
SRE at a government with 51-200 employees
Ensures unparalleled reliability, energy efficiency and ease of deployment
Pros and Cons
- "Primarily, what we value most is the stability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers."
- "There might be room for improvement, especially in the software aspect, such as firmware updates."
What is our primary use case?
We've never had any issues with using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for everything we need. Essentially, they're our go-to brand for servers.
How has it helped my organization?
From what I've gathered, it seems that they're heading in the right direction by implementing silicon-based hardware updates, enhancing user access security, and optimizing the supply chain. These developments are sensible, especially for environments like data centers and research facilities, as they prioritize both security and efficiency.
I'm highly impressed by the energy efficiency of Dell PowerEdge Servers. Having worked with servers for a long time, I remember their high power consumption. However, the new Dell products have drastically reduced energy usage, which is not only remarkable but also makes them much quieter.
What is most valuable?
Primarily, what we value most is the stability of Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers. We appreciate the confidence of deploying them in production, knowing they'll perform reliably without any issues.
What needs improvement?
There might be room for improvement, especially in the software aspect, such as firmware updates. While it's relatively straightforward now, it would be beneficial to have a solution that allows updating the server firmware without taking it offline.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with it for approximately fifteen years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It provides excellent stability capabilities.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability isn't particularly relevant to our use case.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before switching to Dell, we used to rely on HPE servers. Unfortunately, we experienced increasing instability with their hardware over time, particularly noticeable in critical components like storage controllers, which are crucial in my line of work.
We also encountered numerous issues with the mainboards. As a result, we had to explore alternatives from different vendors. Although we also tried Supermicro servers, which showcased some innovative features at the time, we found Dell to offer better stability overall. While Supermicro was aiming for rapid innovation, they struggled with stability issues in their servers.
What about the implementation team?
We managed the deployment in-house, and it was remarkably straightforward. Setting up the racks and mounting the hardware, including the components inside the servers, was hassle-free. Overall, it was a seamless process.
What was our ROI?
I believe the return on investment with Dell servers is positive. While I may not have a precise answer, a strong indication for me is the ongoing satisfaction in receiving the necessary components and support from Dell.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate it ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Teamleiter IT at a retailer with 11-50 employees
The Resilient Architecture approach to security, including silicon-based firmware, signed firmware updates, user access, and supply chain security is good
Pros and Cons
- "The DRA cards for server management is the most valuable feature. They provide a clear overview of server settings and issues. We also like that the notifications are well-organized."
- "The price could possibly use improvement. Dell servers are not the most affordable, and pricing is always a consideration. Otherwise, I don't see any specific areas for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is for Hyper-V server virtualization.
The reason we adopted Dell PowerEdge is because we wanted to simplify and streamline our IT infrastructure as much as possible. That is the challenge we were facing.
How has it helped my organization?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have made my organization much more organized. Before, we didn't have DRA cards or a centralized overview of servers, so managing them required local access. Now, I can centrally monitor and control server issues across all locations.
PowerEdge Server's Cyber Resilient Architecture approach to security, including silicon-based firmware, signed firmware updates, user access, and supply chain security and integrity is good. It's especially good with regular updates that instill confidence.
I can't provide details on the processor architecture, as I'm not deeply familiar with it.
PowerEdge Rack Servers' handling of evolving high-performance workload requirements when equipped with the appropriate server is sufficient and very good. Although it's crucial for a customer to plan for future resource needs.
The servers have had an excellent impact on our organization's sustainability goals. The longer lifespan of Dell servers aligns well with the typical server lifespan calculation of five to seven years.
The OpenManage Console has affected the productivity of our IT personnel. It has become much more manageable. It's easier to administer servers, even for colleagues who are less technically inclined.
What is most valuable?
The DRA cards for server management is the most valuable feature. They provide a clear overview of server settings and issues. We also like that the notifications are well-organized.
What needs improvement?
The price could possibly use improvement. Dell servers are not the most affordable, and pricing is always a consideration. Otherwise, I don't see any specific areas for improvement.
In a future release, having a ten-gigabit LAN onboard from the start would be a significant advantage. It would eliminate the need for aftermarket upgrades.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The servers have good stability. Servers need to run smoothly, and Dell servers do that reliably.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability depends on how you plan and allocate resources. With proper planning, it's scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I would rate their support a nine out of ten. It would be even better if ProSupport for servers were integrated and didn't require additional fees or licenses.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were previously using HPE ProLiant and Microtech servers. They were not as user-friendly or easy to manage.
How was the initial setup?
We did the setup. We installed a Windows server and configured the hard drives.
The complexity of the setup is as complex as setting up any server. It's not as simple as a laptop but not excessively complex if you've done it a few times.
Our strategy was to set up the servers and then we migrated VMs from the old servers once the new ones were ready.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Microsoft licensing for Hyper-V servers is a challenge, but Dell's hardware may be slightly more expensive. Overall, it's manageable.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at HP again but decided on Dell due to our positive experience with Dell laptops.
Also, Dell's Pro Support is something I find valuable, and I believe it's not available to the same extent as other providers.
What other advice do I have?
PowerEdge Rack Servers' energy consumption depends on how the server is utilized. I can't provide specific details, but every server requires power.
The use of PowerEdge Rack Servers hasn't had a significant impact on the overall flexibility of our operation. If anything, it has ensured everything runs smoothly.
I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers a nine out of ten. There's not much that needs improvement. Your success with it largely depends on how well you plan.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Global Infrastructure Architect at a manufacturing company with 501-1,000 employees
Makes it easier to maintain the environment with standardization
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is standardization because we have a small group of IT resources that need to do the operational tasks."
- "The way we can manage the environment through the solution's GUI could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We use Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers mainly for virtualization and as hypervisors.
How has it helped my organization?
We are currently converting from VMware to Hyper-V and trying to use Dell's Azure Stack HCI solution to converge the storage instead of using separate storage devices. We have one environment for network storage and computing, which gives us more flexibility and standardization in the solutions.
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers are reliable with no serious issues. Now, standardization makes things easier in exchanging components and knowledge.
What is most valuable?
We have a lot of branches. The most valuable feature is standardization because we have a small group of IT resources that need to do the operational tasks. As long as we have standardization everywhere, it's easier to maintain the environment.
What needs improvement?
The way we can manage the environment through the solution's GUI could be improved. You need different management tools at the moment for doing different things, and it would be helpful if there were one global tool you could use to monitor and manage updates.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for a couple of months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We never faced any stability issues with the solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers is a scalable solution.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used HPE Compaq and IBM. We were taken over by another company that was already using Dell, and IBM was quitting with those devices because Lenovo took it over. That's why we switched to the new standard Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's deployment is pretty good, and we used ProDeploy from Dell. We gained a lot of information during the deployment, and it's also been a learning curve for us. It's very helpful that knowledgeable people are doing the ProDeploy so you can also learn about the implementation.
What about the implementation team?
We deployed Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers in two weeks.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution’s pricing is competitive with other products.
What other advice do I have?
The solution's security by itself is pretty good. The hardening of the server itself is good enough at the moment. We have automation for updates and upgrades that ensure things are tested before they are published instead of running into issues while you do the upgrades.
Our old computers use power supplies of 800 Watts. The new ones were offered twice, 24,00 Watts, which was quite the difference. I'm not saying they are using it, but the fact that they were delivered with 24,00 Watts was shocking because then you think you require more capacity in the data centers, and that isn't the case. Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers should improve their power consumption.
We don't currently have very high computing power, so it's standard business applications. When I implement it with Azure Stack HCI, we can hopefully improve the IOPS, using the cluster storage instead of a SAN or a NAS solution.
We discussed technology within Dell during the design phase, which was pretty good. They help us a lot with the sizing of the systems.
Overall, I rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Sr IT Specialist at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees
The servers offer excellent stability, reliability, and performance
Pros and Cons
- "Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have been stable and reliable over the last decade."
- "There is room for improvement in certain aspects of the deployment process as it is a bit complex."
What is our primary use case?
We use Dell PowerEdge servers for various purposes, including running databases on Windows platforms, blades, and chassis for high-performance computing. Our VMware environment relies on PowerEdge servers, particularly in the HPC setup, which involves complex networking and interconnects.
While the infrastructure can be intricate, the consistent performance of Dell servers makes maintenance easier. Coming from a Unix environment, I find the reliability of these servers comparable, if not better, and they require less time for repairs.
What is most valuable?
Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers have been stable and reliable over the last decade.
What needs improvement?
There is room for improvement in certain aspects of the deployment process as it is a bit complex.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Evaluating the stability of Dell PowerEdge servers, we focus on security patching and follow-ups on vulnerabilities. While our team emphasizes security core aspects, our primary concern is a balance between green IT and cost efficiency. Power and heat consumption are challenges across all brands, mainly influenced by Intel chips.
The server's reliability in storage is dependent on how storage is divided over multiple storage arrays. Although downtime is required for server replacement, the overall architecture provides a good overview and easy management of multiple servers.
The stability of Dell PowerEdge servers is excellent, with minimal hardware defects in the last three years. The impact of server maintenance is reduced due to virtualization, allowing easy movement of VMs within the cluster. I would rate the stability as a nine out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Comparing Dell to Lenovo in our hybrid brand solution for HPC, Lenovo is sometimes a bit more expensive but can be easier to install with less driver complexity.
Dell, on the other hand, can be cheaper. Dell's recent shift has resulted in a larger data center footprint, but the cost-driven nature of IT decisions often favors the most economical solution. While our return on investment with Dell is generally good, IT views these solutions as costs rather than revenue generators. Overall, the reliability is strong, but our focus remains on minimizing costs.
How was the initial setup?
Deploying Dell servers feels like rocket science, but as a seasoned professional, it is generally straightforward and intuitive for me. I rarely use manuals and rely on my experience. Occasionally, finding the right person with multi-disciplinary knowledge can be a challenge, leading to minor delays. Overall, the experience is good, but there is room for improvement in certain aspects.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers as an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
IT Manager at a media company with 201-500 employees
The components last a long time and I have never had to call support
Pros and Cons
- "I like the iDRAC feature. I have also seen long life from each part and haven't had to call support, as far as I remember. I use competitors like HPE and we need spare parts every year."
- "The BIOS interface could be improved; it is very poor. PowerEdge is very good overall, but if you compare the BIOS interface with HPE, it is not very good."
What is our primary use case?
I'm using the server for Exchange and it gives me good performance.
What is most valuable?
I like the iDRAC feature.
I have also seen long life from each part and haven't had to call support, as far as I remember. I use competitors like HPE and we need spare parts every year. I have been using this server for 10 years and haven't faced any problems with the hardware or performance.
What needs improvement?
The BIOS interface could be improved; it is very poor. PowerEdge is very good overall, but if you compare the BIOS interface with HPE, it is not very good. HPE's is very advanced but Dell's is very simple.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers for about 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is about a seven out of 10.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable, but we are not planning to get more PowerEdge servers. We are planning to go with hyper-converged. We are looking to extend our environment and deploy a new DR site.
We have multiple locations and about 400 users.
How are customer service and support?
Their support is excellent, but here I'm referring to all our Dell products, because I haven't had to contact them about PowerEdge.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I didn't have a previous solution, but I work with HPE servers at the same time. There is no major difference between them in performance or specifications. I prefer Dell for its warranty, which is very good here in Egypt. I am able to extend my warranty for one or two years.
How was the initial setup?
For me, the setup was easy.
The only maintenance is cleaning it and adding hard disks.
What about the implementation team?
I did it, as a system admin, with my team of three people: technical support and our help desk team.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Dell is somewhat more expensive than HPE.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
In terms of money, if I compare a cloud system and an on-premises server like PowerEdge, if I rent the same type of product in the cloud for 10 years, it will cost more than if I get a PowerEdge server for five years.
What other advice do I have?
If you invest in your network, it will be advantageous.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
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Updated: March 2026
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