The PowerEdge R940 is designed to power your mission critical applications and real-time decisions. With four sockets and up to 12 NMVe drives, the R940 provides scalable performance in just 3U. You can accomplish the 4 Socket system when you install the Processor Expansion Module (PEM). This PEM will stack the processors and supply an extra 24 DIMMs.
Breathtaking performance for mission-critical workloadsThe scalable business architecture of the Dell EMC PowerEdge R940 can deliver the most mission critical workloads. With automatic workload tuning for many workloads, configuration is quick. Combined with up to 15.36TB of memory and 13 PCIe Gen 3 slots, the R940 has all the resources to maximize application performance and scale for future demands.
- Maximize storage performance with up to 12 NVMe drives and ensure application performance scales easily.
- Optimized for software defined storage with a special 2-socket configuration delivering 50% more UPI bandwidth compared to a regular 2-socket server.
- Free up storage space using internal M.2 SSDs optimized for boot.
- Eliminate bottlenecks with up to 15.36TB of memory in 48 DIMMS, 24 of which can be Intel Optane DC persistent memory DCPMMs.
Automate maintenance with Dell EMC OpenManageThe Dell EMC OpenManage portfolio helps deliver peak efficiency for PowerEdge servers, delivering intelligent, automated management of routine tasks. Combined with unique agent-free management capabilities, the PowerEdge R940 is simply managed, freeing up time for high profile projects.
- Simplify management with the OpenManage Enterprise console, with customized reporting and automatic discovery.
- Take advantage of QuickSync 2 capabilities and gain access to your servers easily through your phone or tablet.
Transform IT with Dell EMC PowerEdgeThe R940 is the foundation to transform your data center with modern applications for real-time data and analytics. Its massive resource footprint optimizes application performance and scales to meet your organization’s demands.
- Maximize storage performance with up to 12 NVMe drives and ensure application performance scales easily.
- Scale compute resources with 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors and tailor performance based on your unique workload requirements.
- Drive data-intensive workloads like SQL and SAP HANA databases with Intel Optane DC persistent memory.
- Expand with up to 13 PCIe Gen 3 slots.
Rely on PowerEdge with built-in securityEvery PowerEdge server is designed as part of a cyber resilient architecture, integrating security into the full server life cycle. The R940 leverages new security features built-into every new PowerEdge server strengthening protection so you can reliably and securely deliver accurate data to your customers no matter where they are. By considering each aspect of system security, from design to retirement, Dell EMC ensures trust and delivers a worry-free, secure infrastructure without compromise.
- Rely on a secure component supply chain to ensure protection from factory to the data center.
- Maintain data safety with cryptographically signed firmware package and Secure Boot.
- Protect your server from malicious malware with iDRAC9 Server Lockdown mode (requires Enterprise or Datacenter license).
- Wipe all data from storage media including hard drives, SSDs and system
Drive Configuration Options
Dell PowerEdge R940 Drive Configurations are:
- Up to (8) 2.5 inch (SAS, SATA or Nearline SAS)
- Up to (24) 2.5 inch (SAS, SATA or Nearline SAS)
- Up to (20) SAS + (4) NVMe SAS/SATA
- Up to (16) SAS + (8) NVMe SAS/SATA
Cooling Configurations
The Dell PowerEdge R940 has 8 hot-swap fans with full redundancy. The R940 allows N+1 fan redundancy, allowing continuous operation with one fan failure in the system. Each Fan can be replaced without turning the system off. All 8 fans are placed in a fan cage that is lowered into the fan tray.
This system has an Active power management feature. This feature controls the Thermal control of the fan speed and optimizes the thermal settings for your environment to reduce fan consumption and lower system power consumption.
Memory Options
Each CPU has 12 memory DIMM slots for a total of 48 DIMMS. Those DIMMs are organized into six different channels so there are 2 DIMMs per channel. For best performance, all memory channels should be populated with the same number of DIMMs, either 6 or 12 DIMMs per CPU.
RDIMM/LRDIMM
(Registered DIMM)
(Load Reduced DIMM)
RDIMM - Provides for higher capacity options and advanced RAS features. It is the most commonly used DIMM type, and offers the best mix of frequency, capacity, and rank structure choices.
LRDIMM - Provides maximum capacity beyond that of an RDIMM but at a higher power consumption. Uses a buffer to reduce memory loading to a single load on all DDR signals, allowing for greater density.
RDIMMs and LRDIMMs must not be mixed.
PMem
(Intel Optane persistent memory)
PMem comes in three different memory sizes, 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. Unlock more performance and persistency when using an application that supports App Direct Mode. PMem is used with RDIMMs or LRDIMMs, and a maximum number of 6 PMems can be used per CPU. This persistent memory technology does not require a battery.
2400 W PSU is required.
NVDIMM-N
(Non-Volatile DIMM)
Provides a persistent memory solution with NAND and DRAM that maintains data in power loss, system crash, or normal shutdown. This solution requires a battery as a power source for an AC loss condition. It can be used with RDIMMs. Supported configurations have dual processors and a minimum of 12x RDIMMs. Can't be mixed with LRDIMMs. There are many configurations to read up on. Please look at the installation guide for all the rules and restrictions.
Maximum of 12 NVDIMM-Ns can be installed in a system.
| DIMM Capacity (GB) |
DIMM Type |
DIMM Speed (MT/s) |
Ranks per DIMM |
Data Width |
| 8 GB |
RDIMM |
2666 |
1 |
x8 |
| 16 GB |
RDIMM |
2933/2666 |
2 |
x8 |
| 32 GB |
RDIMM |
2933/2666 |
2 |
x4 |
| 64 GB |
RDIMM |
2933/2666 |
2 |
x4 |
| 64 GB |
LRDIMM |
2666 |
4 |
x4 |
| 128 GB |
LRDIMM (3DS) |
2666 |
8 |
x4 |
| 128 GB |
LRDIMM (DDP) |
2933 |
4 |
x4 |
| 16 GB |
NVDIMM-N |
2933/2666 |
-NA- |
-NA- |
| 128 GB |
PMem |
2666 |
-NA- |
-NA- |
| 256 GB |
PMem |
2666 |
-NA- |
-NA- |
| 512 GB |
PMem |
2666 |
-NA- |
-NA- |
PCIe Configurations
Systems with 2 socket processors (without Processor Expansion Module) support up to 7 PCIe Gen3 expansion slots. Systems with 4 socket processors (with Processor Expansion Module) supports up to 13 PCIe Gen3 expansion slots.
| Physical location |
Slot number |
Form factor |
Controlling CPU |
Slot electrical bandwidth/
Physical connector |
Power |
Length |
| Baseboard |
1 |
Full height |
CPU1 |
PCIe GEN3 x8 (x16 connector) |
25 W |
half length |
| Baseboard |
2 |
Full height |
CPU1 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
half length |
| Baseboard |
3 |
Full height |
CPU1 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
half length |
| Baseboard |
4 |
Full height |
CPU2 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
half length |
| Baseboard |
5 |
Full height |
CPU2 |
PCIe GEN3 x8 (x16 connector) |
25 W |
half length |
| Baseboard |
6 |
Full height |
CPU2 |
PCIe GEN3 x8 (x16 connector) |
25 W |
half length |
| Baseboard |
7 |
Full height |
CPU2 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
half length |
| Riser 2 on PEM for 4 socket configuration |
8 |
Full height |
CPU3 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
10.5" (~3/4 length) |
| Riser 2 on PEM for 4 socket configuration |
9 |
Full height |
CPU3 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
half length |
| Riser 2 on PEM for 4 socket configuration |
10 |
Full height |
CPU3 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
25 W |
half length |
| Riser 3 on PEM for 4 socket configuration |
11 |
Full height |
CPU4 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
75 W |
10.5" (~3/4 length) |
| Riser 3 on PEM for 4 socket configuration |
12 |
Full height |
CPU4 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
25 W |
half length |
| Riser 3 on PEM for 4 socket configuration |
13 |
Full height |
CPU4 |
PCIe GEN3 x16 (x16 connector) |
25 W |
half length |
Networking Options
The PowerEdge R940 offer balanced, scalable I/O capabilities including integrated PCIe 3.0 expansion slots. Dell network adapters and daughtercards let you choose the right network fabric without using up valuable PCI slots. PCIe Slot 2 is the dedicated slot for the rNDC.
Network daughter card options
4x 1GbE,
4x 10GbE,
2x 10GbE+2x 1GbE,
or 2x 25GbE
Storage Controller Configurations
The PowerEdge R940 supports full height PERC adapter form factor only in slot 1 (for primary) and slot 6 (for secondary), and does not support mini PERC form factors.
| Performance level |
Controller and description |
| Entry |
S140 (NVMe, M.2 SATA)
SW RAID SATA |
| Value |
H330+, 12Gb SAS HBA (External)
Memory: None
x8 12 Gb SAS
x8 PCIe 3.0 |
| Premium performance |
H740P, H840
Memory: 4/8GB, NV 72-bit |
Boot Options
The Dell Gen14 has a Boot option called BOSS. Boot Optimized Storage Subsystem (BOSS).The Hardware RAID BOSS is a RAID controller with a limited feature set for the purpose of boot up to a full OS drive. The BOSS RAID controller presents M.2 SATA-only Solid State drives (SSD) as either Non-RAID disks or a single RAID1 volume configuration.
The Dell PowerEdge R940 rack server also has an Internal USB and supports the IDSDM for booting the Hypervisor OS for Virtualization workloads.
Power & Dimensions
Power2 Hot plug power supplies with full redundancy option.
Titanium: 1600 W HLAC, 2600 W HLAC
Platinum 1100W, 1100W 380VDC, 1600W, 2000W, 2400W
Gold 1100W-48VDC
Dimensions
- Height: 130.3mm (5.13”)
- Width: 434mm (17.08”)
- Depth: 784.2mm (30.8”)
- Weight: 49.9kg (110lbs.)
- *Dimensions do not include bezel
BOSS
IDSDM
Internal USB
