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4U rack server
Processor | Max: 60 Core2x or 4x Gen 4 Intel Xeon Scalable
Optional Intel® QuickAssist Technology
64 DDR5 RDIMM 4800Mhz
Supports registered ECC DDR5 DIMMs only
None
Boot Options:BOSS-N1
USB
Up to 12 Slots
There are many configuration options.
iDRAC9 Express
LOM:2 x 1 GbE (optional)
OCP 3.0:1 x OCP card 3.0 (optional)
RAID controllers:S160 (SW RAID)
PERC H965i, H965e H755, H355
HBA355i, HBA355e
Up to 4 x 400 W DW
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Boost business outcomes and get faster results from critical operations with an air-cooled architecture.
The Dell PowerEdge R960 is a high-performance server designed to boost outcomes for core applications such as:
The R960 boosts business-critical operations with unprecedented scale-up capabilities in a 4U air-cooled form factor with four (4) Intel Xeon® Scalable Processors to empower business and drive data-driven initiatives.
The Dell OpenManage™ systems management portfolio delivers a secure, efficient, and comprehensive solution for PowerEdge servers. Simplify, automate and centralize one-to-many management with the OpenManage Enterprise console and iDRAC.
Security is integrated into every phase of the PowerEdge lifecycle, including protected supply chain and factory-to-site integrity assurance. Silicon-based root of trust anchors end-to-end boot resilience while Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and role-based access controls ensure trusted operations
The Dell R960 has 4 Processors on a stacked PEM board. The first two CPUs are on the default motherboard. At the same time, the 3rd and 4th CPUs are in the PEM. The PEM gets installed right above the first two processors. This saves space and cooling. Power mission-critical initiatives with data collected in real-time, with a server that doesn't need to stop.
The PowerEdge R960 system is a 4U server that supports:
Up to four 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 60 cores per processor and with optional Intel® QuickAssist Technology. The PEM will hold the 3rd and 4th CPU stacked on top of the first two processors. Along with the last 32 DIMMs for a total of 64 DDR5 RDIMMs.
When the PEM is installed, there are some rules and restrictions for the expansion risers. Please read the manuals below for more guidance when configuring this system's expansion kits.

The system supports 4 CPUs when the Processor Expansion Module (PEM) Board is installed. The System supports 2 Types of Heat Sinks based off the processor's TDP. The table below will help you understand which Heat Sink will be installed.
| Heat sink | Processor TDP |
|---|---|
| STD HSK | ≤ 185 W |
| L-type HSK | ≥ 195 W |
There is only 1 Type of Fan supported by the R960. This Fan is a stacked Fan system. With up to 6 sets of Standard (STD) fans (dual fan module). Each fan in the set is hot-swappable and sits in a fan cage that is lowered onto the fan tray.
All the Air shoruds will need to be installed unless you have GPUs and full length risers then you will need the GPU Air Shroud installed. If you have any blank PCI or DIMM slots, those will need to be filled with blanks / filler for optimal airflow.
Dell's PowerEdge R960 supports 64 DDR5 RDIMM slots, with 16TB max memory allowed at speeds up to 4800 MT/s. The Speeds downgrade to 4400Mhz when two DIMMs are installed per channel (DPC).
Supports registered ECC DDR5 DIMMs only and memory mixing is not supported.
Memory DIMM slots are not hot pluggable.
If memory modules with different speeds are installed, they operate at the speed of the slowest installed memory module(s).
For all the memory rules and restrictions, please read the manuals below.

| DIMM type | DIMM rank | DIMM capacity | Dual processor | Four processors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum system capacity | Maximum system capacity | Minimum system capacity | Maximum system capacity | |||
| DDR5 RDIMM | Single rank | 16 GB | 32 GB | 512 GB | 64 GB | 1 TB |
| Dual rank | 32 GB | 64 GB | 1 TB | 128 GB | 2 TB | |
| Dual rank | 64 GB | 128 GB | 2 TB | 256 GB | 4 TB | |
| Quad rank | 128 GB | 256 GB | 4 TB | 512 GB | 8 TB | |
| Octa rank | 256 GB | 512 GB | 8 TB | 1 TB | 16 TB | |
| NOTE: DDR4 memory DIMMs are not supported in the R960. | ||||||
The PowerEdge R960 system supports up to 12 PCI express (PCIe) Gen5 slots (10 Full Height and 2 Low Profiles) on the system board. Up to 4 x 400 W DW. GPU air shroud is required, when GPUs are installed in the system.
| Config No. | Riser configuration | No. of Processors | PERC type supported | Rear storage possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1 (Basic entry) | R1C+R4C | 4 | Front PERC | No |
| 0-2 (Basic entry) | R1C+R4C | 2 | Front PERC | No |
| 1 (Scale out) | R1C+R3B+R4C | 4 | Front PERC | No |
| 2 (Maximum I/O) | R1B+R2+R3B+R4B | 4 | Front PERC | No |
| 3 (GPU) | R1A+R2+R3A+R4A (FL) | 4 | Front PERC | No |
Note: The system allows either LOM card or an OCP card or both to be installed in the system.
LAN on Motherboard (LOM)
2 x 1 GbE LOM with BCM5720 LAN controller (optional).
This is a great way to expand the network of the R960 without using up a PCIe slot. If the LOM card is not installed you must install a blank filler for optimal airflow.
Open Compute Project (OCP) 3.0
1 x OCP card 3.0 (optional)
There are many options for the OCP card. They range from 1 GbE x 4, 10 GbE x 2, 10 GbE x 4, 25 GbE x 2, 25 GbE x 4, all the way to 100 GbE x 2. Please read the manual for more guidance on which cards are supported.
Dell RAID controller options offer performance improvements, including the fPERC solution. fPERC provides a base RAID HW controller without consuming a PCIe slot by using a small form factor and high-density connector to the base planar.
16G PERC Controller offerings are a heavy leverage of the 15G PERC family. The Value and Value Performance levels carry over to 16G from 15G. New to 16G is the Avenger-based Premium Performance tier offering. This high-end offering drives IOPs performance and enhanced SSD performance. (H965)
Since you have the ability to mix a lot of different types of drives. This system supports dual controllers in a few configurations. You may not mix drive type in the RAID volumes. You will need a separate RAID Controller for each set of drives. PowerEdge does not support Tri-Mode, the mixing of SAS, SATA, and NVMe behind the same controller.
| Performance Level | Controller and Description |
|---|---|
| Entry | S160 |
| Value | H355, HBA355 (internal/external) |
| Value Performance | H755 |
| Premium Performance | H965i, H965e |
The system holds up to 4x 400W Double-Wide with the Riser Expander (R3A) holding 2 of the Double-Wide GPUs.
Riser Configuration 3 (GPU) R1A+R2+R3A+R4A (FL) is the only configuration to support GPUs.
If a GPU is installed it will need the GPU air shroud. If any GPU slot is blank it needs to have the blank/filler installed for optimal airflow.

Supports up to 4 hot-swap redundant PSUs.
Width: 482 mm (18.97 inches)
Height: 174.3 mm (6.86 inches)
Length: 883.195 mm (34.77 inches) with bezel
Length: 869.195 mm (34.22 inches) without bezel
Weight Per Chassis: A server with fully populated drives 60.2 kg (132.71 lbs)
(List below serves as quick links to each section)