The Dell EMC PowerEdge R250 is a compact, entry-level 1U rack server aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. In IT Pro’s July 14, 2022 review, it paired a Xeon processor, ECC memory, hot-swap storage and iDRAC9 remote management in a short-depth chassis. Its clearest trade-offs: the reviewed storage adapter did not provide RAID, and the server was described as having a single 450W power supply rather than redundant power.
What configuration did IT Pro review?
IT Pro’s review system used a 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E-2324G, 32GB of 3,200MHz DDR4 ECC memory, two 480GB SATA SSDs, a 450W Platinum power supply and a Dell PERC HBA355i SAS3 PCIe adapter. The review described this as a more powerful configuration than the entry-level model, which it said started with a dual-core Intel Pentium G6405T and 8GB of RAM.
That distinction matters when comparing listings: “PowerEdge R250” identifies the server family, not the processor, memory, drives, controller or backplane included in a particular sale.
What expansion and storage does the R250 offer?
IT Pro described the R250 as supporting up to 128GB of memory, two PCIe 4 expansion slots and up to four front LFF or SFF drives. The reviewed backplane enabled hot-swap drives. These are figures and options reported in the 2022 review; verify the exact configuration of any system being considered.
#1 Best Overall
- PowerEdge 14th Generation 2.5" SFF 8-Bay Rack Server ( BIOS and Firmware Updated )
- 2x Intel Xeon Gold 6136 - 3.0GHz 12 Core CPUs
- 256GB PC4-2133 DDR4 Memory
- Dell PERC H730p Mini RAID Controller
- 4x New 1TB SSDs - 2.5" SATA Solid State Drives
The review also described two optional boot approaches: a BOSS S1 module for two M.2 SATA SSDs, which uses a PCIe slot, or an internal microSD module. Neither should be assumed to come with every configuration.
RAID depends on the controller
The reviewed HBA355i supports SAS3 but does not provide RAID. The review says RAID requires a PERC controller and names the PERC H345 and H755 as examples with different capabilities. Check the installed controller and its supported RAID features rather than inferring RAID support from the server model or drive-bay count.
Rank #2
- Renewed server with the highest quality standards
- Ideal for a robust enterprise environment or data center
- All servers include power cords, and other parts detailed in full product description below
- Custom configurations available upon request
How strong is its remote management?
Remote management is a major strength in IT Pro’s assessment. The R250 includes iDRAC9 and a dedicated Gigabit management port; the review says iDRAC9’s web console provides system information and access to remote RAID configuration and BIOS menus.
The reviewer also used OpenManage Enterprise to monitor the system and CloudIQ to view health, inventory and performance telemetry. CloudIQ use required a valid support contract, according to the review. These software and service details may depend on the applicable support arrangement.
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- Dell PowerEdge R620 8 Bay 2.5” Server
- 2x Intel Xeon E5-2660 8-Core 2.20GHz (16 Cores / 32 Threads total)
- 128GB DDR3 – 4x 600GB 10K 2.5” SAS – H710 RAID
- iDRAC7 Express - 4 Port 1GbE NIC
- 2x 750W Redundant Power Supplies
What are the main limitations?
No redundant power supply
IT Pro described the R250 as supporting one 450W power supply. If a second, redundant PSU is a requirement, the R250 does not meet it as described in that review; the reviewer points to the PowerEdge R350 as a model to compare.
Check the complete configuration
Beyond the power and controller questions, confirm whether the listing has LFF or SFF bays, the number and type of installed drives, a hot-swap backplane, and the memory and boot-storage options you need. The review characterized the interior as accessible for maintenance and upgrades, and reported that its four cold-swap fans ran quietly in the test environment; that observation is specific to the reviewer’s setup.
Rank #4
- Dell PowerEdge R730xd 24B SFF 2U Server
- 2x Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 2.6Ghz 14-Core (28-cores Total)
- 128GB DDR4 RAM – 4x 1.2TB 10K SAS 2.5” 12Gb/s
- Dell H730P mini 2GB 12Gb/s RAID
- 2x 750W PSU - 2x 10Gb SFP+ 2x 1Gb (RJ45) NIC
What did the R250 cost in the review?
IT Pro reported a £950 starting price for a basic configuration with a dual-core Intel Pentium G6405T and 8GB RAM when its review was published on July 14, 2022. That is historical UK pricing, not a current quote or evidence of present availability. The review does not establish today’s price, stock or seller configuration.
Who should consider the PowerEdge R250?
The R250 is worth considering when a business needs a compact 1U server and values iDRAC9-based remote administration, configurable storage and room for expansion. IT Pro reviewer Dave Mitchell called it “a great entry-level rack server for SMBs” and praised its remote-management features; those are the reviewer’s conclusions, not a current market comparison.
Before choosing a listing, compare the CPU, memory, drive-bay type and count, installed drives, controller and RAID capability, boot option, power-supply arrangement, management support and warranty. The review is useful for understanding the platform and one tested configuration, but it cannot establish whether a particular current offer is correctly configured or competitively priced.
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