Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In its February 10, 2010 review, Andrew Binstock of InfoWorld ranked the Dell PowerEdge R710 first, followed closely by the HP ProLiant DL380 G6, then the Lenovo ThinkServer RD220. The scores were 8.6, 8.3, and 7.9, respectively. The review’s practical verdict was that any of the three could satisfy its intended enterprise buyers; the right choice depended on performance, power, expansion, serviceability, and the buyer’s existing server environment. These are results for the specific 2010 systems tested, not a current comparison or buying recommendation.
What InfoWorld compared
Andrew Binstock compared three dual-processor, 2U rack servers: Dell PowerEdge R710, HP ProLiant DL380 G6, and Lenovo ThinkServer RD220. InfoWorld reported that the RD220 was mechanically and electrically identical to the IBM System x3650 M2. The review’s specifications, benchmarks, prices, and conclusions apply to those tested configurations, not to later generations.
Read the February 10, 2010 InfoWorld review.
Scores and tested prices
InfoWorld weighted serviceability at 15%, performance at 40%, value at 10%, power usage at 15%, and expandability at 20%. Its overall ratings and prices for the review configurations were:
| System | InfoWorld score | Tested price reported in 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Dell PowerEdge R710 | 8.6 | $8,273* |
| HP ProLiant DL380 G6 | 8.3 | $8,882 |
| Lenovo ThinkServer RD220 | 7.9 | $5,601 |
All scores and prices in this table are InfoWorld’s 2010 figures, not current prices. *The Dell table used Standard Edition pricing for comparison, while the unit InfoWorld received included Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition, which the article said added $2,200. The review also noted that the Dell configuration required a second power supply to be ordered separately, unlike the reviewed HP and Lenovo systems, which came with two as standard.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
How performance compared
Processors and memory capacity
Dell and HP used the same tested Intel Xeon X5570 processor at 2.93 GHz. Lenovo used a Xeon E5540 at 2.53 GHz. InfoWorld attributed much of Lenovo’s lower performance to that less expensive processor. The review’s specification table listed two CPUs and two sockets for each system, with maximum memory of 192 GB for Dell, 144 GB for HP, and 128 GB for Lenovo.
Benchmark results
These are the figures InfoWorld reported in 2010. They describe the review’s test configurations and should not be read as present-day or independently repeated results.
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
| Benchmark | Dell R710 | HP DL380 G6 | Lenovo RD220 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMmark | 24.27, 17 tiles | 24.15, 17 tiles | 23.89, 17 tiles* |
| SPECjbb2005 | 300430 bops | 304778 bops | 244788 bops |
| Stream | 33810 | 35116 | 27194 |
*InfoWorld reported that VMmark results used 96 GB configurations and that it substituted the IBM System x3560 M2 result for Lenovo because Lenovo did not run VMmark. The review characterized the VMmark results as near parity. HP edged Dell on the reported SPECjbb2005 and Stream results; on Stream, both Dell and HP were about 20% ahead of Lenovo.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesPower use depended on load
InfoWorld measured each system using one power supply. Its reported readings were:
Rank #3
- Dell PowerEdge R740 2U Rack Server with Rail kit for small business or Enterprise
- Dual (2) Xeon Gold 6148 20-Core 2.40 GHz, 27.5MB, Up To 3.70 GHz Turbo
- Memory: 512GB (16 x 32GB) DDR4 PC4-25600 3200MHz Unbuffered Memory
- Storage: 15.36TB (8 x 1.92TB) Enterprise 2.5” Solid State Drive (SSD) for Ultra Fast Storage
- Hard drives & memory upgrades included separately, not installed, installation required.
| Non-hibernating load in the 2010 test | Dell R710 | HP DL380 G6 | Lenovo RD220 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% load | 102 W | 162 W | 142 W |
| 100% load | 316 W | 342 W | 265 W |
Dell had the lowest reading at 0% load, while Lenovo had the lowest at 100% load. These are measurements from the review’s test setup, not general consumption figures for every configuration or workload.
Serviceability, diagnostics, and expansion
InfoWorld found largely tool-less component access across all three machines, but their diagnostic interfaces differed:
Rank #4
- 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
- Dell R710: a small LCD on the front panel.
- HP DL380 G6: component-warning LEDs on the front bezel; Binstock found these easiest to scan across a rack.
- Lenovo RD220: a slide-out diagnostic panel, which Binstock found awkward to read when servers were mounted high in a rack.
Storage capacity favored Lenovo in bay count, while the review’s table listed different installed drive capacities:
| Review configuration | Installed drives listed | Drive slots |
|---|---|---|
| Dell PowerEdge R710 | 2 × 72 GB | 8 |
| HP ProLiant DL380 G6 | 2 × 72 GB | 8 |
| Lenovo ThinkServer RD220 | 2 × 300 GB | 12 |
InfoWorld said four of Lenovo’s drive positions could be swapped for a tape system. The review’s practical comparison also included PCI expansion and the cost of a second power supply when assessing a complete configuration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which server did InfoWorld prefer?
Dell took the highest weighted score, helped by its low 0%-load power reading and value results. HP was close overall, with a slight lead in some performance results and easier-to-scan front-panel warning LEDs. Lenovo’s reviewed system cost less and offered more drive slots, but its slower processor affected its benchmark results; it also used the least power at full load. The author’s conclusion was: “Choosing any one of the models we reviewed will produce a satisfactory result.” That judgment applied to the three 2010 systems and reflected the reality that organizations often favored the server brand they had already adopted.
How to interpret the review today
The R710, DL380 G6, and RD220 are legacy models in this comparison. Their 2010 scores and prices cannot establish current availability, support, warranty coverage, or value in today’s market. Lenovo Press’s ThinkSystem server comparison reference, updated July 27, 2026, covers a broader portfolio including rack, tower, edge, and blade systems, with one- to eight-socket systems and current Intel and AMD processors. Dell’s current PowerEdge rack-server page likewise lists current-generation offerings. Those pages do not provide a like-for-like current comparison of Dell, HPE, and Lenovo; choosing among present-day systems requires model-specific configurations and current vendor information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
