Dell PowerEdge Server Names: What Those Letters and Numbers Actually Mean
- Zo Jakab
- Sep 23, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Have you ever wondered what those letters and numbers in the Dell PowerEdge server names actually mean? Let's figure it out.
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The Logic Behind Dell PowerEdge Server Names
Starting with the 10th generation, Dell PowerEdge servers began using a consistent naming pattern combining letters and three or four digits (for example: PowerEdge R730, PowerEdge R6515, or PowerEdge MX740c).
Meaning of the First Letter - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
The first letter identifies the type of server:
Letter | Meaning | Description |
C | Cloud/Compute | Modular and compute-optimized nodes for hyperscale environments |
F | Flexible | Hybrid rack-based sleds for FX2/FX2s enclosures |
HS | Hyperscale | Optimized for cloud service providers |
M / MX | Modular | Blade servers for MX7000, M1000e, or VRTX systems |
R | Rack | Standard rack-mount servers |
T | Tower | Standalone tower servers |
XE | Extreme | High-performance systems for AI, data analytics, or complex workloads |
XR | Rugged | Industrial-grade systems for harsh or remote environments |
Three-Digit Naming System - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
Older models like Dell PowerEdge R730 or Dell PowerEdge R640 use three digits.
First number: system class
1–3 = single CPU
4–7 = dual CPU
8 = dual or quad CPU
9 = quad CPU
Second number: generation
0 = 10th gen
1 = 11th gen
2 = 12th gen
3 = 13th gen
4 = 14th gen
5 = 15th gen
6 = 16th gen
Third number: CPU manufacturer
0 = Intel
5 = AMD
Example:PowerEdge R740 → rack server, dual CPU, 14th generation, Intel processors.
Four-Digit Naming System - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
Newer models like Dell PowerEdge R6515 or Dell PowerEdge R7615 use four digits.
First number: performance class — lower numbers for entry models, higher for enterprise and high-end systems.
Second number: generation.
Third number: design or socket configuration (varies slightly between Intel and AMD models).
Fourth number: CPU manufacturer — 0 for Intel, 5 for AMD.
Example: Dell PowerEdge R6415 → rack server, 14th generation, single-socket AMD system.
Naming for Dell PowerEdge Enclosures and Chassis - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
1. Dell PowerEdge MX7000
Introduced with the 14th generation, this modular enclosure holds up to eight front slots that can fit compute or storage sleds.
Compute sleds include an extra “c” (MX740c, MX750c, MX760c).
Storage sleds include an “s” (MX5016s).
IO modules use an “n” or “s” (MX9116n, MXG610s).
2. Dell PowerEdge M1000e
Part of the 10th generation lineup, this enclosure can house up to 16 half-height, eight full-height, or eight quarter-height server modules. Supported modules are labeled Mxxx.
3. Dell PowerEdge VRTX
Introduced in the 12th generation, the VRTX enclosure supports up to four half-height or two full-height server modules.Modules use the same Mxxx naming pattern but are specifically built for VRTX.
4. Dell PowerEdge FX2 / FX2s
Released in the 13th generation, the FX2 system supports various compute sleds:
Up to four half-width
Up to eight quarter-width
Up to two full-width sleds
Compute sleds: FCxxx or FMxxxStorage sleds: FDxxx (FX2s only)
Legacy Naming (Before 10th Generation) - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
Before the 10th generation, PowerEdge servers had a four-digit model number (for example, Dell PowerEdge 2950).The first digit generally showed the performance class, and the second digit showed the generation.Other digits varied by model and were not consistent across product lines.
Example: Dell PowerEdge 2950 → a 2U rack server from the 9th generation.
Meaning of Common Suffixes - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
xd – Extended Drive, more storage bays
xa – GPU-optimized
xs – Compact version with fewer features or lower cost
List of Current PowerEdge Server Models - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
Dell PowerEdge C Series
16G: C6600, C6615, C6620
15G: C6520, C6525
14G: C4140, C6400, C6420
Dell PowerEdge HS Series
16G: HS5610, HS5620
Dell PowerEdge Modular
16G: MX760c
15G: MX750c
14G: FC640, M640, M640 (VRTX), MX7000, MX740c, MX840c, MX5016s
Dell PowerEdge Rack
16G: R660, R660xs, R6615, R6625, R760, R760XA, R760xd2, R760xs, R7615, R7625, R860, R960
15G: R250, R350, R450, R550, R650, R650xs, R6515, R6525, R750, R750xa, R750xs, R7515, R7525
14G: R240, R340, R440, R540, R640, R6415, R740, R740xd, R740xd2, R7415, R7425, R840, R940, R940xa
Dell PowerEdge Tower
16G: T560
15G: T150, T350, T550
14G: T40, T140, T340, T440, T640
Dell PowerEdge XE (Extreme Performance)
16G: XE8640, XE9680
15G: XE8545
14G: XE2420, XE7100, XE7420, XE7440
Dell PowerEdge XR (Rugged)
16G: XR5610, XR7620, XR8000r, XR8610t, XR8620t
15G: XR4000r, XR4000w, XR4000z, XR4510c, XR4520c, XR11, XR12
14G: XR2
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Sources - Dell PowerEdge Server Names
Dell Support: PowerEdge: Servers by generation — shows naming rules (letter + three or four digits, meaning of letters, CPU vendor digit)
Dell OpenManage / Naming Convention documentation (generic naming convention)
Hardware Direct: “Dell Power Edge server naming convention” — explanation of 3/4 digit logic
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