The Dell PowerEdge R640, Supermicro 1029U-E1CRT, and HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 are powerhouse 1U rack servers built for the demands of modern data centres and enterprises, such as virtualisation, cloud computing, and HPC. These all-purpose servers, designed around the Intel Scalable processors, deliver processing power, flexibility, and scalability. But which server is right for you, and how do you choose between them? Dive into this detailed 5-point comparison to explore their key features, differences, and what sets them apart in the world of refurbished enterprise IT infrastructure.
1. Processing and Memory Performance
All three servers support dual Intel Xeon 1st/2nd gen Scalable processors. Up to 28 cores per processor can be achieved with the use of high-performance parts. With 24 DIMM slots each, these servers all support 3TB of DDR4 memory. Compatible with RDIMM, LRDIMM and NVDIMM as well as Intel Optane and/or HPE persistent memory for innovative memory usage.
2. Storage
The Dell PowerEdge R640, Supermicro 1029U-E1CRT, and HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 all support up to 10 x 2.5" drives or 4 x 3.5" drives, with compatibility for NVMe, SAS, and SATA drives. Each server offers robust RAID options: Dell with PowerEdge RAID Controllers (PERC), Supermicro with proprietary or third-party controllers like MegaRAID, and HPE with Smart Array controllers and SmartCache for enhanced performance. Including onboard software for data and RAID management, as well as room for external HBAs to connect to JBODs and storage arrays. These features make all three servers highly flexible and efficient for data storage and management in enterprise environments.
3. Expansion and Connectivity
With three PCIe 3.0 slots as default for each model, there is loads of room for expansion cards, such as networking or graphic accelerators. The R640 and the DL360 Gen10 both employ a modular networking approach. Dell with their rNDC range of network cards, and HPE with the FlexibleLOM range. Although Supermicro use the SIOM on other servers, the X11 Ultra range has extensive onboard networking port customisation but also includes an internal PCIe slot for controllers.
4. Management and Remote Access
The Dell R640, HPE DL360 Gen10 and Supermicro 1029U-E1CRT all offer remote management capabilities, with varying degrees of functionality. The R640 features iDRAC9, providing advanced management tools like zero-touch deployment and automated updates. The 1029U-E1CRT uses IPMI, offering essential remote management functions, though it's less feature-rich than iDRAC9. The DL360 Gen10 includes iLO 5, which delivers advanced features such as silicon root of trust, automatic firmware recovery, and agentless management. All three brands in this comparison offer upgradeable licenses and software that allow for more tools and management capabilities, such as out-of-band connectivity.
5. Software and Ecosystem
The R640 includes integration with VMware, Microsoft, and Linux environments. It has extensive software options for workload optimisation, data management, and security. The Gen10 has strong support for HPE OneView, HPE InfoSight, emphasising AI-driven management and predictive analytics. While not as feature rich as Dell or HPE’s catalogue of software, Supermicro offers a more agnostic approach, with broad support for various operating systems and hypervisors. It gives a more open-source platform for diverse workloads at the cost of in-house support.
Conclusion
These models are excellent choices for any SME or DC that need powerful servers while optimising budget, and they all meet the demands of 1U Dual-CPU rackmount servers in today’s data centre environment, the final decision in which refurbished model to go for often comes down to specific organisational needs, brand preference, and existing infrastructure integration.
Dell PowerEdge R640: Best suited for enterprises that need robust management features, a well-integrated ecosystem, and are willing to invest in a premium solution.
Supermicro 1029U-E1CRT: Ideal for organisations looking for a highly customisable, cost-effective solution, with an open approach to software and hardware configurations.
HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10: Best suited for environments that prioritise security, AI-driven management, and integration, particularly with features like silicon root of trust and HPE InfoSight.
Regardless of which server you prefer, at ETB Technologies we have extensive stock of all the above-mentioned refurbished rackmount servers ready to be built and shipped next day, 3 years ETB warranty as standard and fast delivery around the world. If you’d like to find out more about how we can help find the right 1U server for your business, then please do get in touch – we'd love to hear from you.
