Dell PowerEdge R6625 Servers – new and refurbished

The Dell PowerEdge R6625 is a dual-processor 1U rack server based on AMD EPYC 9004 with 24 DDR5 slots and up to 6 TB of memory. It is purchased by companies that are running out of rack space but not out of cores: virtual machine consolidation, SQL, ERP, and HA cluster nodes. Below, we describe how to configure it to avoid overspending and throttling memory.

Dell PowerEdge R6625 – what kind of machine is it and who buys it?

The R6625 is a representative of Dell 16th generation servers in a rack chassis. It occupies a single rack unit (1U) and accommodates two AMD EPYC processors – that many cores in such a flat chassis is impressive even after years of working with servers. Its single-processor counterpart is the Dell PowerEdge R6615, and the 2U version is the Dell PowerEdge R7625.

We most commonly see the R6625 in three roles: as a virtualization host, a database server for ERP, and an HA or HCI cluster node. The common denominator is simple: the workload grows along with the core count, and rack cabinets do not stretch. If you are still deciding on the chassis format, start with the comparison rack server vs tower.

Dell R6625 rack servers at Hardware Direct – which configuration to choose?

In the category, you will find pre-configured options in three chassis layouts. The designations 4x3.5", 8x2.5", and 10x2.5" refer to the number and size of the front drive bays, and the full naming convention is explained in the article on Dell PowerEdge server naming.

The processors are AMD EPYC in two variants: 9124 (16 cores, 3 GHz, 200 W) and 9534 (64 cores, 2.45 GHz, 280 W). Two units deliver 32 cores / 64 threads or 128 cores / 256 threads. Windows Server and virtualization licenses are counted per core, not per thread, so 2 × 16 cores means 32 cores to license – calculate this before placing an order.

Not sure which variant suits your workload? Configure the Dell PowerEdge R6625 with our advisor, and we will match the RAM, drives, and networking to what will actually run on it.

DDR5 RAM in the Dell R6625 – why are 4 modules not enough?

The R6625 has 24 DDR5 4800 MT/s slots and accepts up to 6 TB RDIMM. Here is a detail that saves money: each processor has 12 memory channels, and you achieve full throughput with 12 modules per processor, meaning 24 in total. The offering includes 4x16 GB and 4x32 GB kits – they work correctly, but occupy only 2 out of 12 channels per processor.

General guideline, approximate values. The population plan is confirmed with an engineer at the time of order.

This reveals something rarely seen in specifications: 8 modules of 32 GB is not the same as 4 modules of 64 GB, even though the total capacity is 256 GB in both cases. The first variant has twice as many active channels. Also keep in mind that Dell does not support mixing module capacities. DDR5 prices have risen considerably, so before adding memory, read how much RAM for a business server, and check available modules in the server RAM offering.

RAID, NVMe, and SSD drives in the Dell PowerEdge R6625 – what to deploy?

Data protection is handled by RAID controllers: PERC H355 in configurations with SATA drives, PERC H755 in the 10x2.5" variants with SAS SSDs, and H965i as an option for larger projects. It is advisable to place the operating system on separate media: the BOSS-N1 provides 2 M.2 NVMe drives in hardware RAID 1, so all front bays remain available for data.

For the four 6.4 TB SAS SSD drives in the offering, the calculation is as follows:

• RAID 10 – 12.8 TB, fast read and write for random writes, as required by SQL databases, 
• RAID 5 – 19.2 TB, more space when reads predominate, 
• RAID 6 – 12.8 TB, protection in the event of two simultaneous drive failures.

Raw capacity is 25.6 TB, and usable capacity depends on the RAID level. If you are planning to use NVMe drives, ask about the backplane: Dell offers an 8x2.5" NVMe variant. A common pitfall to be aware of: rear drive cages occupy PCIe slots, so adding drives at the rear means losing space for a network adapter or GPU.

A 1U server for virtualization, SQL Server, and ERP – is the Dell R6625 sufficient?

For VMware servers and Proxmox servers, cores and RAM are what count: 128 cores in 1U makes it possible to consolidate several older hosts into a single unit. If the environment is based on SQL, look at RAID 10 on SSDs and a separate system drive on the BOSS-N1. The offering also includes servers for Microsoft SQL Server.

For companies using ERP systems – Comarch Optima, Enova365, or SAP – our experience shows that performance is more often determined by memory and fast drives than by core count. Software licensed per core favors fewer but faster cores, so ask us whether a higher-clocked variant can be ordered.

Dell PowerEdge R6625 vs R6615, R7625, or R660 – which rack server to choose?

Details of each platform are available in the Dell PowerEdge R6615, Dell PowerEdge R7625, and Dell PowerEdge R660 categories. All are part of the Dell 16th generation rack servers lineup, and if you are deciding between brands, the article Dell PowerEdge vs HP ProLiant may help.

GPU card in the Dell R6625 – what can 1U handle?

The R6625 accepts GPU cards with a power draw of up to 75 W in single-width format. The offering includes a configuration with an NVIDIA L4 24 GB – a card for inference, VDI, and video transcoding. 300 W cards for model training will not fit in this chassis. For such tasks, refer to the AI servers category, and browse available options in the graphics cards offering.

iDRAC9, power supply, and warranty – what is included with the Dell R6625?

Every configuration in this category includes iDRAC9 Enterprise, 2 x 1400 W power supplies (redundant, hot-swap), rails, and a 36-month warranty. iDRAC provides a remote console and virtual media, allowing you to deploy the operating system without entering the server room. Connect the two power supplies to separate circuits, and for power distribution, consider UPS backup power.

Warranty options are described in the warranties section, and if you need a quote for a specific project, contact our advisors – we respond with specifics, not brochures.

FAQ

What is the difference between the Dell PowerEdge R6625 and the R6615?

The R6625 has two processor sockets, while the R6615 has one. Two processors mean more cores and memory channels in the same 1U chassis. Choose the R6615 when a single processor is sufficient and lower licensing costs are a priority.

How much RAM does the Dell PowerEdge R6625 support?

The R6625 has 24 DDR5 4800 MT/s slots and supports up to 6 TB of RDIMM memory. Each processor has 12 channels, so full throughput is achieved with 12 modules per processor. Mixing module capacities is not supported.

Which RAID controller should I choose for the Dell R6625: H355, H755, or H965i?

The H355 is sufficient for smaller environments with SATA drives. Choose the H755 for SAS SSDs and database workloads, and the H965i for larger projects. Installing the operating system on the BOSS-N1 leaves all front bays available for data.

Can a GPU card be installed in the Dell PowerEdge R6625?

Yes, but only cards up to 75 W in single-width format, such as the NVIDIA L4 24 GB. They are well suited for inference, VDI, and video transcoding. Model training requires a larger platform, such as the R7625.

Is the Dell R6625 suitable for VMware, Hyper-V, and Proxmox?

Dell supports Windows Server with Hyper-V, VMware ESXi, as well as Ubuntu, RHEL, and SUSE. Proxmox VE runs on standard x86 hardware, and Hardware Direct is an official Proxmox partner. For virtualization, the deciding factors are the core count, RAM, and fast drives.

Can the Dell R6625 be managed remotely?

Yes, through iDRAC9 Enterprise, which is included in every configuration in this category. It provides a remote console, virtual media, and Redfish API support. This allows you to perform system installation and diagnostics without visiting the server room.