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The Dell PowerEdge R540 is a refurbished 2U Rack server (14G) for the 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable, DDR4 · up to 1024 GB · 16 DIMM slots · up to 2933 MT/s · 6 channels per CPU · ECC. Drive layouts: Eight drive chassis; Twelve drive chassis; 12 x 3.5 inch + 2 x 2.5-inch rear drive bays. Every unit is tested, warrantied and shipped from Canada; configure it online with parts that are checked for compatibility.
Best for: virtualization, general.
| Form factor | 2U Rack |
|---|---|
| Generation | 14G |
| CPU | 2 socket(s) · 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable · LGA3647 · up to 20 cores per CPU · max 150 W TDP |
| Memory | DDR4 · up to 1024 GB · 16 DIMM slots · up to 2933 MT/s · 6 channels per CPU · ECC |
| Drive bays | Eight drive chassis; Twelve drive chassis; 12 x 3.5 inch + 2 x 2.5-inch rear drive bays |
| Storage controllers | PERC H750, PERC H350, PERC H740P, PERC H730P, PERC H330, HBA350i · boot: BOSS (M.2 SATA interface) · M.2 boot |
| PCIe | Gen 3.0 · 5 slots |
| Networking | 2x 1GbE LOM |
| GPU | up to 2 GPUs |
| Power | 450W Bronze, 495W, 750W, 750W, 750W, 1100W, 1100W · redundant · hot-swap |
| Management | iDRAC9 · iDRAC9 Basic |
| Cooling | ASHRAE A4 |
| Dimensions | 86.8 × 434 × 703.76 mm · 29.68 kg |
Real parts from our catalog for this chassis, priced from live market listings and vendor offers:
Chassis pricing is quoted by our team; component prices come from live market listings and vendor offers and are refreshed nightly. Lines without market evidence are quoted by our team.
A public block diagram for the R540 motherboard is not available. However, you can access the Field Service Manual by visiting the Dell support website, logging in with your service tag, and navigating to the Documents section. [community thread]
To identify the failed drive, collect a Technical Support Report (TSR) that includes storage logs, which can provide insights into the drive's status. If the drive rebuild process is unsuccessful, you can replace the drive by following the hot-swapping procedure, ensuring to verify the correct drive using the server management interface. [community thread]
The Dell R440 server with the 4JN2K motherboard can support processors with a thermal design power (TDP) of up to 150 W, including the Xeon 6252, 6428, 6242, and 6240. For other motherboard versions, ensure the CPU has a TDP of less than 140 W for compatibility. [community thread]
Ensure that your BIOS, iDRAC, and PERC firmware are updated, and check that secure boot is disabled. Set the BIOS to prioritize booting from the NVMe drive before other devices, and save the changes. If issues persist, consider using a compatible BOSS card with your NVMe SSD. [community thread]
For the second CPU in a Dell PowerEdge R540, you will need a specific heatsink part number 401-ABHI, which includes both the fan and heatsink components. It's advisable to check your server's fan configuration to ensure proper cooling and prevent overheating. [community thread]
The Dell PCIe x16 NVMe adapter P/N: 80G5N is primarily designed for workstation models and may not be compatible with the Poweredge T440. For accurate compatibility information, it is advisable to consult with the retailer or manufacturer directly. [community thread]
Ensure that the DIMMs you are using are compatible with the R540, as some models may not be supported. For optimal performance, populate the memory slots according to the server's guidelines, typically using slots 1, 2, 4, and 5 for four DIMMs per processor. If issues persist, consider testing with different DIMM configurations or consult the server's documentation for further assistance. [community thread]
The error may occur due to the use of a non-Dell HBA card, which can prevent the backplane from being updated automatically. To resolve this, consider using the Dell Server Update Utility to perform the firmware update. [community thread]