R740xd – GPU Ready (no GPU included) Build, Gold 6248 / H740p, Refurbished
Warranty: Lifetime
Dell PowerEdge R740xd 24SFF Rack Server – GPU Ready Build, Xeon Gold 6248 / PERC H740p (Refurbished)
2U GPU-Ready Server with 40 Cores and Hardware RAID – Add Your Own GPU or Run CPU-Heavy Workloads Today
This Dell PowerEdge R740xd has the same GPU-ready setup as our $2,995 GPU Ready build — GPU enablement kit, low-profile heat sinks, high-performance fans and 1600W supplies, all installed and tested — but steps up to 2x Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (40 cores / 80 threads total) and a PERC H740p RAID controller with 8GB cache. Pick it if the server will also handle data prep, virtualization or storage alongside GPU work, or if you want hardware RAID rather than pass-through. No GPU is included.
Key Specifications:
- Server Model: Dell PowerEdge R740xd 24SFF (24x 2.5" Small Form Factor bays)
- Processors: 2x Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (2.5GHz base, 20 cores / 40 threads each) – 40 Cores / 80 Threads total
- Memory: 128GB DDR4 ECC Registered (expandable)
- GPU: None included – GPU Enablement Kit pre-installed, plus 1x Dell 8-Pin to 6/8-Pin (PCIe-style) GPU power cable
- Storage: 1x Dell 960GB 6G SATA 2.5" SSD
- RAID/Controller: PERC H740p, 8GB NV cache (hardware RAID 0/1/5/6/10/50/60)
- Networking: Intel X710 2x 10Gb SFP+ + I350 2x 1Gb Base-T rNDC
- Remote Management: iDRAC Enterprise (with dedicated management port)
- Power: 2x 1600W AC Hot-Plug Power Supplies (redundant)
- Cooling: High Performance Fan Kit
- Rails: Included Rail Kit
- Condition: Professionally refurbished and tested
- OS: No OS included (supports Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESXi, Proxmox)
Highlights:
- Twice the cores of our base GPU Ready build – 40 cores / 80 threads for virtualization, data pipelines and CPU-bound pre- and post-processing
- Hardware RAID with 8GB cache – protected volumes for VM datastores and databases without relying on software RAID
- GPU Enablement Kit pre-installed – shroud, risers and airflow already in place, so adding a GPU later is straightforward
- 24-bay 2.5" SFF chassis with 23 bays open for expansion
- Redundant 1600W power supplies + high-performance cooling for 24/7 operation
Perfect For:
- GPU servers that also run VMs, databases or storage
- Buyers who already own a GPU and want a stronger CPU platform than the base build
- CPU-heavy virtualization or compute today, with the option to add GPU compute later
- Environments that standardize on hardware RAID
This server has been fully tested and is ready to deploy. Ships with all necessary power cables, rails, and bezel (where applicable).
Note: This is a refurbished unit in excellent cosmetic and functional condition. Minor signs of previous rack use may be present.
Compare Our R740xd Builds:
All four builds share the same GPU-ready platform (24SFF chassis, 128GB RAM, Intel X710/I350 networking, iDRAC Enterprise, GPU enablement kit, high-performance fans, 2x 1600W supplies) — they differ in CPU, storage controller and GPU:
- R740xd – GPU Ready (No GPU Included) – $2,995 – 2x Silver 4210R, HBA330 pass-through. The lowest-cost GPU-ready host; bring your own card.
- R740xd – GPU Ready, Gold 6248 / H740p (this listing) – $3,493.33 – 2x Gold 6248 (40 cores), PERC H740p RAID. More CPU and hardware RAID; bring your own card.
- R740xd – Dual V100 Build – $5,849 – Silver 4210R platform + 2x Tesla V100 32GB (64GB total). Best value for multi-GPU training and parallel workloads.
- R740xd – A40 Build – $10,959 – Silver 4210R platform + 1x NVIDIA A40 48GB. Best single-GPU performance for AI inference and visualization.
Need a custom configuration, more storage, or a GPU you already own installed? Message us — we can build to your requirements.
What "GPU Ready" Actually Means Here
A datacenter GPU is passively cooled — no fan of its own — and Dell's installation guidance requires a specific set of parts before one will run reliably in an R740xd. These are installed and tested here:
- GPU enablement kit — the risers, GPU air shroud and mylar insulation that direct air across a passive card instead of around it (Dell 330-BBMO / 85CYN in the US, 490-BEIX / JKFGX in EMEA)
- Low-profile heat sinks in both CPU sockets — the standard heat sinks physically foul the GPU air shroud, and Dell requires both sockets populated
- High-performance fan kit — mandatory for any GPU configuration in this chassis
- 2x 1600W power supplies — Dell sets an 1100W floor for GPU configurations
GPU power cable — check your card's connector. One Dell 8-pin to 6/8-pin cable is included; it feeds cards with standard PCIe 6-pin / 6+2-pin power sockets. Tesla-class data-center cards (P40, V100 PCIe, A40, A100 PCIe and similar) use an 8-pin EPS-12V socket and need a Dell 4VPD3-type cable, which is not included. Low-profile cards such as the T4 and L4 are slot-powered and need no cable. Never force or adapt one connector type into the other — they wire 12V and ground differently. Full explanation: which GPU power cable an R740xd needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from the $2,995 GPU Ready build?
Same chassis, memory, networking, enablement kit, cooling and power. This one has 2x Xeon Gold 6248 (40 cores / 80 threads) instead of 2x Silver 4210R (20 / 40), and a PERC H740p RAID controller with 8GB cache instead of the HBA330 pass-through adapter.
Can I still run ZFS or software-defined storage?
The H740p can present non-RAID disks alongside RAID volumes. If pass-through is the whole plan, the $2,995 HBA330 build is the more natural fit.
Which GPUs can I install?
Up to three double-width or six single-width cards, all identical in type and model; 300W per card is the envelope. Check the card's power connector: the included cable suits PCIe 6/8-pin sockets, while Tesla-class cards with an 8-pin EPS-12V socket need a 4VPD3-type cable (not included).
Can I run it CPU-only for now?
Yes. It is a complete 40-core server with 128GB of ECC memory, 24 drive bays and 10GbE networking.
Does it come with an operating system?
No OS is included. The server supports Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi and Proxmox. iDRAC Enterprise is licensed for remote installation and management.
What condition is it in and what warranty applies?
Professionally refurbished, fully tested and burned in, in excellent cosmetic and functional condition with minor signs of previous rack use possible. Backed by the Resilient Tec lifetime warranty, reachable directly rather than through a manufacturer ticket queue.
Further Reading
- Custom Dell R740xd GPU servers: build options, prices, and the forum questions nobody answers — which GPU power cable (4VPD3 vs TR5TP), fans at 100%, LFF chassis limits, and all four builds compared
- Putting a passive datacenter GPU in a PowerEdge R740xd — every part a card needs and the two mistakes that stop most self-assembled builds
- What can you actually run on 48GB of GPU memory? — benchmarked model sizes and tokens per second
- The cloud sent you a bill — on-prem compute versus rented GPU time
- GPU & AI infrastructure guide and enterprise servers guide
Dell PowerEdge R740xd 24SFF Rack Server – GPU Ready Build, Xeon Gold 6248 / PERC H740p (Refurbished)
2U GPU-Ready Server with 40 Cores and Hardware RAID – Add Your Own GPU or Run CPU-Heavy Workloads Today
This Dell PowerEdge R740xd has the same GPU-ready setup as our $2,995 GPU Ready build — GPU enablement kit, low-profile heat sinks, high-performance fans and 1600W supplies, all installed and tested — but steps up to 2x Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (40 cores / 80 threads total) and a PERC H740p RAID controller with 8GB cache. Pick it if the server will also handle data prep, virtualization or storage alongside GPU work, or if you want hardware RAID rather than pass-through. No GPU is included.
Key Specifications:
- Server Model: Dell PowerEdge R740xd 24SFF (24x 2.5" Small Form Factor bays)
- Processors: 2x Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (2.5GHz base, 20 cores / 40 threads each) – 40 Cores / 80 Threads total
- Memory: 128GB DDR4 ECC Registered (expandable)
- GPU: None included – GPU Enablement Kit pre-installed, plus 1x Dell 8-Pin to 6/8-Pin (PCIe-style) GPU power cable
- Storage: 1x Dell 960GB 6G SATA 2.5" SSD
- RAID/Controller: PERC H740p, 8GB NV cache (hardware RAID 0/1/5/6/10/50/60)
- Networking: Intel X710 2x 10Gb SFP+ + I350 2x 1Gb Base-T rNDC
- Remote Management: iDRAC Enterprise (with dedicated management port)
- Power: 2x 1600W AC Hot-Plug Power Supplies (redundant)
- Cooling: High Performance Fan Kit
- Rails: Included Rail Kit
- Condition: Professionally refurbished and tested
- OS: No OS included (supports Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESXi, Proxmox)
Highlights:
- Twice the cores of our base GPU Ready build – 40 cores / 80 threads for virtualization, data pipelines and CPU-bound pre- and post-processing
- Hardware RAID with 8GB cache – protected volumes for VM datastores and databases without relying on software RAID
- GPU Enablement Kit pre-installed – shroud, risers and airflow already in place, so adding a GPU later is straightforward
- 24-bay 2.5" SFF chassis with 23 bays open for expansion
- Redundant 1600W power supplies + high-performance cooling for 24/7 operation
Perfect For:
- GPU servers that also run VMs, databases or storage
- Buyers who already own a GPU and want a stronger CPU platform than the base build
- CPU-heavy virtualization or compute today, with the option to add GPU compute later
- Environments that standardize on hardware RAID
This server has been fully tested and is ready to deploy. Ships with all necessary power cables, rails, and bezel (where applicable).
Note: This is a refurbished unit in excellent cosmetic and functional condition. Minor signs of previous rack use may be present.
Compare Our R740xd Builds:
All four builds share the same GPU-ready platform (24SFF chassis, 128GB RAM, Intel X710/I350 networking, iDRAC Enterprise, GPU enablement kit, high-performance fans, 2x 1600W supplies) — they differ in CPU, storage controller and GPU:
- R740xd – GPU Ready (No GPU Included) – $2,995 – 2x Silver 4210R, HBA330 pass-through. The lowest-cost GPU-ready host; bring your own card.
- R740xd – GPU Ready, Gold 6248 / H740p (this listing) – $3,493.33 – 2x Gold 6248 (40 cores), PERC H740p RAID. More CPU and hardware RAID; bring your own card.
- R740xd – Dual V100 Build – $5,849 – Silver 4210R platform + 2x Tesla V100 32GB (64GB total). Best value for multi-GPU training and parallel workloads.
- R740xd – A40 Build – $10,959 – Silver 4210R platform + 1x NVIDIA A40 48GB. Best single-GPU performance for AI inference and visualization.
Need a custom configuration, more storage, or a GPU you already own installed? Message us — we can build to your requirements.
What "GPU Ready" Actually Means Here
A datacenter GPU is passively cooled — no fan of its own — and Dell's installation guidance requires a specific set of parts before one will run reliably in an R740xd. These are installed and tested here:
- GPU enablement kit — the risers, GPU air shroud and mylar insulation that direct air across a passive card instead of around it (Dell 330-BBMO / 85CYN in the US, 490-BEIX / JKFGX in EMEA)
- Low-profile heat sinks in both CPU sockets — the standard heat sinks physically foul the GPU air shroud, and Dell requires both sockets populated
- High-performance fan kit — mandatory for any GPU configuration in this chassis
- 2x 1600W power supplies — Dell sets an 1100W floor for GPU configurations
GPU power cable — check your card's connector. One Dell 8-pin to 6/8-pin cable is included; it feeds cards with standard PCIe 6-pin / 6+2-pin power sockets. Tesla-class data-center cards (P40, V100 PCIe, A40, A100 PCIe and similar) use an 8-pin EPS-12V socket and need a Dell 4VPD3-type cable, which is not included. Low-profile cards such as the T4 and L4 are slot-powered and need no cable. Never force or adapt one connector type into the other — they wire 12V and ground differently. Full explanation: which GPU power cable an R740xd needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from the $2,995 GPU Ready build?
Same chassis, memory, networking, enablement kit, cooling and power. This one has 2x Xeon Gold 6248 (40 cores / 80 threads) instead of 2x Silver 4210R (20 / 40), and a PERC H740p RAID controller with 8GB cache instead of the HBA330 pass-through adapter.
Can I still run ZFS or software-defined storage?
The H740p can present non-RAID disks alongside RAID volumes. If pass-through is the whole plan, the $2,995 HBA330 build is the more natural fit.
Which GPUs can I install?
Up to three double-width or six single-width cards, all identical in type and model; 300W per card is the envelope. Check the card's power connector: the included cable suits PCIe 6/8-pin sockets, while Tesla-class cards with an 8-pin EPS-12V socket need a 4VPD3-type cable (not included).
Can I run it CPU-only for now?
Yes. It is a complete 40-core server with 128GB of ECC memory, 24 drive bays and 10GbE networking.
Does it come with an operating system?
No OS is included. The server supports Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi and Proxmox. iDRAC Enterprise is licensed for remote installation and management.
What condition is it in and what warranty applies?
Professionally refurbished, fully tested and burned in, in excellent cosmetic and functional condition with minor signs of previous rack use possible. Backed by the Resilient Tec lifetime warranty, reachable directly rather than through a manufacturer ticket queue.
Further Reading
- Custom Dell R740xd GPU servers: build options, prices, and the forum questions nobody answers — which GPU power cable (4VPD3 vs TR5TP), fans at 100%, LFF chassis limits, and all four builds compared
- Putting a passive datacenter GPU in a PowerEdge R740xd — every part a card needs and the two mistakes that stop most self-assembled builds
- What can you actually run on 48GB of GPU memory? — benchmarked model sizes and tokens per second
- The cloud sent you a bill — on-prem compute versus rented GPU time
- GPU & AI infrastructure guide and enterprise servers guide