Dell PowerEdge R760 and Dell PowerEdge R760R760xa:

Comparison of technical characteristics and positioning

The Dell PowerEdge R760 and R760xa servers are part of the 16th generation of Dell PowerEdge servers and are both built on the 4th generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. While they share many common features, the R760xa is positioned as a server optimized for accelerated computing and demanding workloads, while the R760 is a more versatile solution.

1. Processors (CPU):

• Dell PowerEdge R760 : Supports up to two 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, with a wide range of models to choose from, from entry-level to high-performance, high-core options, making it suitable for a variety of workloads including virtualization, databases, enterprise applications, and more.

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa : Also supports up to two 4th generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. However, the R760xa is often configured with high-performance processors, as it is designed to handle more intensive computing tasks. While the processor selection may be similar, the R760xa focuses on maximizing CPU performance to support accelerators.

2. Memory (RAM):

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Supports up to 8TB of DDR5 DIMMs at speeds up to 4800 MT/s across 32 DIMM slots. This provides high memory bandwidth and is sufficient for most typical server workloads.

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa: Also supports up to 8TB of DDR5 DIMMs at speeds up to 4800 MT/s across 32 DIMM slots. Memory capacity and speed are identical to the R760. The key difference is not the memory itself, but how the server uses the memory to support the accelerators.

3. Accelerator support (GPU/FPGA):

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Supports a limited number of GPUs, typically up to two full-size or up to four half-size GPUs. It can be used for basic graphics workloads or VDI, but is not optimized for GPU-intensive computing.

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa: This is the key differentiator . The R760xa is designed for maximum accelerator support . It can support up to four double-width full-width GPUs, such as the NVIDIA A100, H100, or AMD Instinct MI200, or up to eight single-width GPUs. This makes it an ideal choice for:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Training and inferring models.
  • High-performance computing (HPC): Scientific calculations, engineering analysis, simulations.
  • High-density virtual desktops (VDI) with GPUs: Professional graphics applications.

4. Disk subsystem (Storage):

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Offers flexibility in storage configurations, including:

  • Front bays: up to 16 x 2.5" NVMe/SAS/SATA or up to 8 x 3.5" SAS/SATA.
  • Rear bays: can be configured for additional storage.
  • Supports internal M.2 SSDs for booting the OS. The R760's flexibility allows it to be used for a wide range of tasks, from storing large amounts of data to quickly accessing it.

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa: The disk subsystem configuration is slightly different to optimize space for the GPU and ensure proper cooling. Typically, the R760xa offers fewer front storage bays, but still provides enough for acceleration-oriented workloads:

  • Front bays: typically up to 8 x 2.5" NVMe/SAS/SATA or up to 4 x 3.5" SAS/SATA (number may vary depending on GPU configuration).
  • Rear bays: can be configured for additional storage.
  • Support for internal M.2 SSDs for OS booting. While the R760xa may have slightly less storage capacity compared to the top-of-the-line R760 configuration, it still offers the fast NVMe storage needed for accelerated workloads.

5. Expansion slots (PCIe):

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Provides ample PCIe Gen5 slots for network cards, storage cards, and other expansion adapters. The number of slots may vary depending on the riser configuration.

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa: Features an expanded number of PCIe Gen5 slots specifically designed to accommodate a large number of GPUs. The PCIe slot layout is optimized for maximum GPU density, a key feature of the R760xa.

6. Network:

• Dell PowerEdge R760 & R760xa: Both servers offer flexible network connectivity options via OCP 3.0 cards and PCIe slots. Options include 1GbE, 10GbE, 25GbE, 40GbE, 100GbE, and faster connections, depending on the adapters selected. The choice of network adapters will depend on the specific workload requirements.

7. Management and Functions:

• Dell PowerEdge R760 & R760xa: Both servers use the Dell iDRAC9 management platform with Lifecycle Controller to simplify deployment, updates, monitoring, and maintenance. They also support integration with Dell OpenManage Enterprise management consoles and third-party platforms. Management features are identical for both models.

8. Power and Cooling:

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Offers a variety of redundant power supply unit (PSU) options with different wattages optimized for typical server configurations. The cooling system is designed to efficiently dissipate heat from processors, memory, and other components under typical workloads.

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa: Equipped with more powerful power supplies and an advanced cooling system specifically designed to support the high power consumption and heat dissipation of GPUs and high-performance processors. The cooling of the R760xa is critical to ensuring stable operation under maximum accelerator loads.

9. Form factor:

• Dell PowerEdge R760 & R760xa: Both are 2U rack servers. However, the internal layout of the R760xa differs for GPU placement, which may affect the availability of certain components and storage configuration options.

Positioning:

• Dell PowerEdge R760: A versatile server for a wide range of workloads. Ideal for:

  • Virtualization
  • Databases
  • Enterprise applications
  • Cloud infrastructures
  • General server infrastructure

• Dell PowerEdge R760xa: Server optimized for accelerated computing . Positioned for:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
  • High-performance computing (HPC)
  • Virtual Desktops (VDI) with graphics acceleration
  • Workloads that require significant GPU/FPGA processing power

Summary of key differences:

Conclusion:

Choosing between the Dell PowerEdge R760 and R760xa depends on your specific needs.

• Choose the R760 if: You need a reliable and versatile server for a wide range of general workloads, and you don't plan to use a large number of GPUs or intensive accelerated computing.

• Choose the R760xa if: Your workloads require significant GPU/FPGA compute power, such as AI/ML, HPC, or graphics-accelerated VDI. The R760xa is a dedicated server optimized for maximum performance in these demanding scenarios.

When making your selection, it is always recommended to thoroughly analyze the requirements of your workloads and consult with Dell specialists or your vendor to determine the optimal server model and configuration.