PowerEdge R820
Four-socket 2U for large SQL, SAP and VDI hosts.
The PowerEdge R820 is an end-of-life model with no vendor support; we keep it running while you plan a replacement. Four-socket 2U for large SQL, SAP and VDI hosts.
Platform facts
| Vendor | Dell |
|---|---|
| Generation | 12G |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Sockets | 4 |
| CPU | Intel Xeon E5-4600 / E5-4600 v2 (Sandy Bridge-EP / Ivy Bridge-EP) |
| DIMM slots | 48 |
| Memory | DDR3 RDIMM/LRDIMM, up to 1.5 TB |
| Storage | 16x 2.5-inch hot-plug SAS/SATA/SSD |
| RAID | PERC H310, H710, H710P, H810 |
| Management | iDRAC7 |
| Released | 2012 |
| Status | end of life |
Field notes
Four E5-4600 CPUs in 2U means it runs hot; keep the fan shroud and all 48 DIMM blanks in place. E5-4600 CPUs are uncommon on the used market so CPU upgrades are impractical. Lifecycle Controller 2 for firmware. Same OS ceiling as the R720. Replace with an R860 or R7625.
Successor: PowerEdge R830.
What we do with the PowerEdge R820
- 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 R820 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 R820 running Windows Server 2012 or an old ESXi needs a migration plan, not a lift-and-shift.
Related models
Related services
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 R820 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.