Dell PowerEdge R220 Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD and CPU Limits

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers memory and storage upgrades for the Dell PowerEdge R220, plus what is and isn't known about changing the processor. The short answer: add up to 32 GB of DDR3 ECC unbuffered memory, fit up to two SATA or SAS drives, and treat a CPU swap as unconfirmed.

At a glance

  • RAM: 4 DDR3 ECC unbuffered DIMM sockets, 4 GB or 8 GB modules, 32 GB maximum, up to 1600 MT/s.
  • RDIMM and LRDIMM are not supported, and 16 GB modules are not listed.
  • Storage: two bays, either 2 x 3.5" or 2 x 2.5", SATA or SAS. No M.2 or NVMe.
  • SAS drives need an add-in controller (PERC S110 or H310).
  • CPU: one socket, but Dell's documents don't name it, so a swap is unconfirmed.
DDR3 ECC UDIMM sockets4 × DDR3 DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 1600 MT/s · ECC
Drive bays (2x 3.5" or 2x 2.5")2 × HDD / SSD 3.5" / 2.5" (SATA / SAS)
4 × DIMM · DDR3up to 32 GB totalDrive bays (2x 3.5" or 2x 2.5")2 × HDD / SSD 3.5" / 2.5" (SATA / SAS)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

Standard support ended on February 2020 (estimate).

20172018201920202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · End of sale · February 201722 · EOSL · February 2020
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
End of sale
No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 February 2017 Estimate Third-party (Hardwarewartung) lists EOL as February 2017; Dell's own term 'End of Life' means end of sale. Appears to be a generation-wide date, so treat as approximate.
Source ↗
End of standard support (EOSL)
Standard warranty and support contracts can no longer be renewed.		 February 2020 Estimate Third-party (Hardwarewartung) lists EOSL as February 2020; appears to be a generation-wide date, so treat as approximate.
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

Memory: up to 32 GB of DDR3 ECC UDIMM

The R220 has four full-size 240-pin DIMM sockets arranged in two channels. Channel 1 is sockets 1 and 3, and channel 2 is sockets 2 and 4. It takes DDR3 or DDR3L unbuffered ECC modules (UDIMMs) of 4 GB or 8 GB each. That gives a minimum of 4 GB and a maximum of 32 GB (4 x 8 GB). Registered and load-reduced modules (RDIMM and LRDIMM) are not supported, and 16 GB modules are not listed. All four sockets are user-accessible and no memory is soldered.

The top speed is 1600 MT/s, with 1333 MT/s as the alternative. The speed you actually get depends on both the DIMMs and the processor installed. Both speeds are supported with one or two DIMMs per channel, up to dual-rank per channel at 1.35 V. Dell's sample layouts are: 4 GB as one 4 GB module in socket 1; 8 GB as two 4 GB modules in sockets 1 and 2; 16 GB as four 4 GB modules; 32 GB as four 8 GB modules. Fill the white-lever sockets 1 and 2 first.

Dell's tables only describe ECC UDIMMs and don't say whether non-ECC modules work, so stick to ECC. Dell's documents also disagree on module rank: the owner's manual calls 4 GB modules single-rank, while the technical guide lists them as 2-rank x8. This varies by the module, so check the label on what you buy.

Buying tips

  • Buy DDR3 or DDR3L unbuffered ECC (UDIMM) in 4 GB or 8 GB sizes only.
  • Avoid anything labelled registered, RDIMM or LRDIMM.
  • Match modules in pairs across the two channels for the best results.
  • Four 8 GB modules reach the 32 GB ceiling; don't plan on more.
  • 1333 or 1600 MT/s modules are the safe choice.

Storage: two bays, SATA or SAS, no M.2 or NVMe

The chassis takes either two 3.5" drives or two 2.5" drives. Dell doesn't describe mixing the two. Listed 3.5" drives go up to 4 TB (SATA 7.2K or NL-SAS), which works out to roughly 8 TB across two bays. Listed 2.5" drives go up to 1.2 TB for SAS 10K and 1 TB for SATA or NL-SAS 7.2K. SSDs are listed up to 800 GB. That list reflects the server's original configuration era, so larger or newer drives may work but are unverified.

SATA drives can connect by cable to the motherboard SATA connector. SAS drives, or SATA drives run through a controller, need an add-in storage controller; Dell lists the PERC S110 and PERC H310 for internal drives. Dell's documents also disagree on 2.5" SATA: the spec sheet lists SAS, NL-SAS or SSD, while the owner's manual adds SATA.

There is no M.2 or NVMe slot. The one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot needs an optional riser, and an M.2 or NVMe adapter card in it might work, but nothing confirms that. Dell's documents also don't give a drive thickness limit, and they disagree on whether the drives are hot-plug. The technical guide describes cabled drives, which points to no hot-swap, so power the server off before changing drives.

Buying tips

  • Pick a 3.5" SATA drive for the most capacity, or a 2.5" SATA SSD for speed.
  • Only buy a SAS drive if your unit has a PERC S110 or H310 controller.
  • Don't buy M.2 or NVMe drives unless you accept an untested adapter workaround.
  • Check the drive tray or carrier size of your unit before ordering.
  • If you use the PCIe slot, check the riser and fan 3 first.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Check your unit's current RAM and CPU so you know what you are replacing.
  • Check whether your unit has a RAID or SAS controller (PERC S110 or H310) if you want SAS drives.
  • Back up your data and note any RAID configuration.
  • Have the Dell owner's manual open for exact disassembly steps.
  • Use an anti-static wrist strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts.

Steps

  1. Back up and shut down
    Back up anything important, then shut the server down properly from the operating system.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Switch the server off and unplug the power cables and any other cables from the back.
  3. Ground yourself
    Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal on the chassis. Handle parts by their edges.
  4. Open the case
    Slide the server out of the rack if needed and remove the cover. Follow the owner's manual for the exact procedure.
  5. Install the memory
    Fit DIMMs into the white-lever sockets 1 and 2 first, then sockets 3 and 4. Open the levers, line up the notch, and press the module down firmly until the levers close.
  6. Install the drives
    For drives, follow the manual's drive removal and installation chapter. Connect SATA drives to the motherboard SATA connector, or to your add-in controller for SAS.
  7. Close and reconnect
    Replace the cover, put the server back in place and reconnect the cables.
  8. Check it in the BIOS
    Power on and enter the BIOS setup to confirm the full memory amount and the new drives are detected. If memory is missing, power off, unplug and reseat the modules.

Good to know

  • Dell's documents don't name the CPU socket or confirm that the processor is a user-replaceable part, so a CPU upgrade is unconfirmed.
  • Dell's owner's manual lists only Core i3, Pentium and Celeron parts, while the spec sheet and technical guide also list Xeon E3-1200 v3. Check which CPU your unit has.
  • Whether non-ECC memory works is not stated, so stick to ECC.
  • The drive lists date from the original configuration era; larger or newer drives may work but are unverified.
  • Dell's documents disagree on hot-plug drives and on the PCIe slot size (full-height half-length versus half-height full-length). Check the physical riser before buying a card.
  • No drive thickness limit is given, so check your drive carrier before buying.
  • When buying used, check the riser, fan 3 and any RAID controller, and whether large SATA drives work with your controller is not stated.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell PowerEdge R220 take?

Up to 32 GB, as four 8 GB DDR3 ECC unbuffered modules. The minimum is 4 GB. 16 GB modules are not listed, so don't plan on more than 32 GB.

Does the R220 support non-ECC memory?

Dell's documents don't say. They only describe unbuffered ECC DIMMs, so use ECC. Registered and load-reduced modules (RDIMM, LRDIMM) are not supported.

Does the R220 support M.2 or NVMe SSDs?

No M.2 or NVMe slot is listed. The only other route is an M.2 or NVMe adapter in the optional PCIe 3.0 x16 riser slot, but nothing confirms that works.

What is the biggest drive I can put in an R220?

Listed drives go up to 4 TB for 3.5" and 1.2 TB for 2.5" SAS, with SSDs up to 800 GB. Larger drives may work but are unverified.

Can I use SAS drives in the R220?

Yes, but SAS drives need an add-in controller such as the PERC S110 or H310. SATA drives can connect to the motherboard SATA connector.

Can I upgrade the CPU in a PowerEdge R220?

Dell lists a single CPU socket with Xeon E3-1200 v3, Core i3-4130 and i3-4330, Pentium G3430 and G3420, and Celeron G1820 processors, up to 82 W. Dell's documents don't name the socket or confirm that the CPU is a user swap, so check the owner's manual and your unit's current CPU first.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.