PowerEdge R320
Single-socket 1U with proper hot-plug storage and redundant power for small hosts.
The PowerEdge R320 is an end-of-life model with no vendor support; we keep it running while you plan a replacement. Single-socket 1U with proper hot-plug storage and redundant power for small hosts.
Platform facts
| Vendor | Dell |
|---|---|
| Generation | 12G |
| Form factor | 1U rack |
| Sockets | 1 |
| CPU | Intel Xeon E5-2400 / E5-2400 v2 (Sandy Bridge-EN / Ivy Bridge-EN) |
| DIMM slots | 6 |
| Memory | DDR3 RDIMM/UDIMM, up to 192 GB |
| Storage | 8x 2.5-inch or 4x 3.5-inch hot-plug SAS/SATA |
| RAID | PERC H310, H710, H710P |
| Management | iDRAC7 |
| Released | 2012 |
| Status | end of life |
Field notes
The E5-2400 line is a dead end, so there is no CPU upgrade worth making. H310 has no cache and is slow for RAID 5 writes; an H710 swap is the one useful upgrade. Lifecycle Controller 2 can update firmware from a Dell catalog over the network, which is easier than the 11G DUP dance. Vendor support typically ends at Windows Server 2016 and ESXi 6.7.
Successor: PowerEdge R330.
What we do with the PowerEdge R320
- Specification and procurement of new PowerEdge servers, configured to order
- Rack, rail and cable installation, iDRAC setup and firmware baseline
- Memory, NVMe, PERC and NIC upgrades with qualified parts
- Out-of-warranty repair: PSU, fan, backplane, PERC battery and motherboard replacement
- OS and hypervisor installs: Windows Server, VMware, Proxmox, RHEL, Ubuntu
- ProSupport case handling and lifecycle refresh planning
Keep it or replace it?
A PowerEdge R320 can keep doing a single job for years if it has good backups, current firmware and spare parts on the shelf. It should not be the only copy of anything, and it should not be internet-facing on an unsupported OS. We will tell you honestly whether a memory or disk upgrade buys useful time or whether the money belongs in a replacement.
Replacement planning covers the OS and licences, not only the box: a PowerEdge R320 running Windows Server 2012 or an old ESXi needs a migration plan, not a lift-and-shift.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you work on PowerEdge servers you did not sell?
Yes. Most of our Dell work is on servers a business already owns, in or out of warranty.
Can you update firmware without downtime?
iDRAC and some component firmware update live. BIOS, PERC and NIC firmware need a reboot, which we schedule in a maintenance window.
Can the PowerEdge R320 run a current operating system?
Check the field notes above. As a rule, current models are certified for Windows Server 2022/2025, ESXi 8 and RHEL 9; legacy models usually stop at Windows Server 2019 or ESXi 7 and may need Proxmox or an older Linux to stay useful.
Need a hand with this?
Tell us what you are running and what is slowing you down. You get a straight assessment and a plan, with no obligation. Support desk is staffed 24/7.