NVIDIA GPUs for Dell PowerEdge Servers
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
Which NVIDIA GPUs fit your server + how many you can install?
Many companies are upgrading Dell PowerEdge servers with NVIDIA GPUs to improve AI, inference, and virtualization performance.
NVIDIA GPUs for Dell PowerEdge Servers
✔️ 5-Year Warranty – No Risk: Pay Only After Testing
This is often cheaper and faster than buying new servers. The challenge is choosing a GPU that actually fits the server and delivers good performance without power or cooling issues.
NVIDIA GPU Compatibility Basics: Dell PowerEdge Servers
GPU | VRAM | Power | Best for |
NVIDIA A2 | 16 GB | ~60W | Inference, edge |
NVIDIA L4 | 24 GB | ~70–75W | Inference, video |
NVIDIA A10 | 24 GB | ~150W | VDI, mixed workloads |
NVIDIA A16 | 64 GB | ~200–225W | Dense VDI (quad GPU card) |
NVIDIA A30 | 24 GB | ~165W | AI/analytics |
NVIDIA A40 | 48 GB | ~300W | Visualization + VDI |
NVIDIA A100 PCIe | 40/80 GB | ~250–300W | AI training |
NVIDIA L40 / L40S | 48 GB | ~300–350W | AI + rendering |
NVIDIA H100 PCIe | 80 GB | ~350W | Large AI models |
SXM cards (SXM2/SXM4) are not used in standard rack PowerEdge servers — only in XE AI platforms.
Dell PowerEdge Gen15 & Gen16 Servers + Compatible NVIDIA GPUs
Dell PowerEdge R650 (Gen15, 1U)
Max GPUs: 1 GPU (up to 2 low-profile GPUs in specific configs)
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A2
NVIDIA L4
Good for: Inference, video analytics, light VDI
Note: 1U chassis limits cooling and power; no double-width GPUs.
Dell PowerEdge R660 (Gen16, 1U)
Max GPUs: 1 GPU (up to 2 low-profile GPUs in specific configs)
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A2
NVIDIA L4
Good for: Inference, edge analytics
Note: Small chassis → limited airflow.
Dell PowerEdge R750 (Gen15, 2U Standard)
Max GPUs: 2× double-width GPUs or up to 4× single-width low-power GPUs (riser-dependent)
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A10
NVIDIA A16
NVIDIA A30
NVIDIA A40
NVIDIA A100 PCIe
NVIDIA L40 / L40S (fit, gen-dependent)
Good for: VDI, mixed AI workloads, rendering
Note: Still needs GPU kits and correct PSU.
Dell PowerEdge R750xa (Gen15, 2U GPU-Optimized)
Max GPUs: Up to 4 double-width GPUs
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A10
NVIDIA A16
NVIDIA A30
NVIDIA A40
NVIDIA A100 PCIe
NVIDIA L40 / L40S
Good for: Mixed workloads and AI training
Note: GPU-optimized chassis → better airflow for dense installs.
Dell PowerEdge R760 (Gen16, 2U Standard)
Max GPUs: Up to 2 double-width GPUs or multiple single-width low-power GPUs (riser- and thermal-dependent)
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A10
NVIDIA A16
NVIDIA A30
NVIDIA A40
NVIDIA A100 PCIe
NVIDIA L40 / L40S
Good for: VDI, inference + some training
Note: High-power GPUs depend heavily on riser layout and thermal configuration
Dell PowerEdge R760xa (Gen16, 2U GPU-Optimized)
Max GPUs: Up to 4 double-width GPUs
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A10
NVIDIA A16
NVIDIA A30
NVIDIA A40
NVIDIA A100 PCIe
NVIDIA L40 / L40S
NVIDIA H100 PCIe (only with Dell-validated configs, correct BIOS, and PSU upgrades)
Good for: AI training, mixed enterprise workloads
Note: Needs 1600W+ PSUs and GPU cooling kits.
Dell PowerEdge Enterprise AI Platforms (High-Density NVIDIA GPU Servers)
These are not standard rack servers. They are GPU-oriented and require datacenter infrastructure.
Dell PowerEdge XE8545 (4U AI Server)
Max GPUs: Up to 4 GPUs
Compatible GPUs:
NVIDIA A100 SXM (primary)
NVIDIA H100 SXM
PCIe variants only in specific Dell configurations
Good for: AI training, HPC
Note: NVIDIA A100 SXM (primary), PCIe only in specific configurations
Dell PowerEdge XE8680 / XE9680 (High-Density AI Flagships)
Max GPUs:
Dell PowerEdge XE8680: ~8 GPUs
Dell PowerEdge XE9680: Up to 8 GPUs (high-density AI)
Compatible NVIDIA GPUs:
NVIDIA H100 (SXM or PCIe)
NVIDIA L40S (PCIe where supported)
Good for: Largest AI models and deep learning clusters
Note: 4–8 GPUs depending on configuration
NVIDIA GPUs for Dell PowerEdge Servers: Driver, Riser & Power Rules
1) Always use Dell-validated GPU kits: Dell requires specific GPU risers and kits — no exceptions for warranty compliance.
2) Check PSU size before buying GPUs
250–300W GPUs often require 1400–1600W+ PSUs
4× double-width GPUs usually need 1600W+
3) Coolers and fans matter: GPU heat is higher than CPUs. 1U systems like R650 / R660 can’t cool high-power cards.
4) Update BIOS & iDRAC first: Firmware must be up to date — GPUs may not initialize otherwise.
NVIDIA GPUs for Dell PowerEdge Servers: Quick Use Case Guide
Workload | Dell PowerEdge Server | NVIDIA GPU |
Edge inference | Dell PowerEdge R650 / R660 | NVIDIA A2 / L4 |
Mixed AI + VDI | Dell PowerEdge R750 / R760 | NVIDIA A30 / A40 |
Dense VDI | Dell PowerEdge R750xa / R760xa | NVIDIA A16 |
AI Training | Dell PowerEdge R760xa | NVIDIA A100 |
Heavy AI clusters | Dell PowerEdge XE8545 / XE9680 | NVIDIA H100 |
NVIDIA GPUs for Dell PowerEdge Servers
✔️ 5-Year Warranty – No Risk: Pay Only After Testing
Comments