PowerEdge R720
The 2U everything-server of its generation: Hyper-V and ESXi hosts, SQL, Exchange, file, plus two GPUs if needed.
The PowerEdge R720 is an end-of-life model with no vendor support; we keep it running while you plan a replacement. The 2U everything-server of its generation: Hyper-V and ESXi hosts, SQL, Exchange, file, plus two GPUs if needed.
Platform facts
| Vendor | Dell |
|---|---|
| Generation | 12G |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Sockets | 2 |
| CPU | Intel Xeon E5-2600 / E5-2600 v2 (Sandy Bridge-EP / Ivy Bridge-EP) |
| DIMM slots | 24 |
| Memory | DDR3 RDIMM/LRDIMM, up to 768 GB |
| Storage | 16x 2.5-inch or 8x 3.5-inch hot-plug SAS/SATA/SSD, internal dual SD |
| RAID | PERC H310, H710, H710P, H810 |
| Management | iDRAC7 |
| Released | 2012 |
| Status | end of life |
Field notes
Common issues are the H710 battery, the 750 W or 1100 W PSUs and failed internal SD boot media. It supports two double-wide GPUs with the GPU enablement kit, which keeps it in labs. Firmware via Lifecycle Controller 2 catalog updates; BIOS 2.9.x is the last. No Dell support for Windows Server 2019/2022 or ESXi 7; NVMe is not native. Replace with an R760 or R7625.
Successor: PowerEdge R730.
What we do with the PowerEdge R720
- 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 R720 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 R720 running Windows Server 2012 or an old ESXi needs a migration plan, not a lift-and-shift.
Related models
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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 R720 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.