Dell PowerEdge R340 Upgrade Guide: RAM, Storage and CPU

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

This guide covers what you can add to a Dell PowerEdge R340: memory, drives and a processor. The short answer: up to 64 GB of unbuffered ECC DDR4, SATA or SAS drives in the front bays (no NVMe), and a CPU from Dell's list for the LGA1151 socket.

At a glance

  • RAM: 4 DIMM slots, unbuffered ECC DDR4 UDIMMs only, 8 or 16 GB each, 64 GB maximum, running at up to 2666 MT/s.
  • Storage: either 4 x 3.5" or 8 x 2.5" SATA/SAS bays depending on your chassis. No NVMe and no motherboard M.2 slot.
  • M.2 boot drives are only possible with Dell's optional BOSS card, which uses one of the two PCIe slots.
  • CPU: LGA1151 (Socket H4) with the Intel C246 chipset. Dell lists Xeon E-2100/E-2200, Core i3, Pentium and Celeron.
  • There is no GPU support, and integrated graphics cannot be used with Xeon E-2100/E-2200 CPUs.
DDR4 UDIMM slots (A1-A4)4 × DDR4 DIMM · up to 64 GB total · 2666 MT/s · ECC
3.5" drive bays4 × HDD / SSD 3.5" (SATA / SAS) · up to 14 TB
2.5" hot-plug drive bays8 × HDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA / SAS) · up to 7.68 TB
Internal Dual SD Module 3 (optional)2 × Flash card microSD (SD (UHS)) · up to 64 GB
BOSS card M.2 (optional)2 × SSD M.2 2280 (SATA) · up to 240 GB
LGA1151 (Socket H4) CPU socketLGA1151 (8th/9th gen) · Xeon E-2100/2200, Core 8th gen, Core 9th gen
CPU · LGA1151 v24 × DIMM · DDR4up to 64 GB total3.5" drive bays4 × HDD / SSD 3.5" (SATA / SAS) ·up to 14 TB2.5" hot-plug drive bays8 × HDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA / SAS) ·up to 7.68 TBInternal Dual SD Module 3(optional)2 × Flash card microSD (SD (UHS)) ·up to 64 GBBOSS card M.2 (optional)2 × SSD M.2 2280 (SATA) · up to 240 GB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. Supported until March 31, 2027 (estimate).

202320242025202620272028Today11 · End of sale · Jan. 21, 202322 · EOSL · March 31, 2027
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No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 Jan. 21, 2023 Estimate Third-party maintenance provider lists this as the R340 (reg. model E58S) EOL date; Dell itself calls end of sale 'End of Life' but has published no date.
Source ↗
End of standard support (EOSL)
Standard warranty and support contracts can no longer be renewed.		 March 31, 2027 Estimate Third-party EOSL date from hardwarewartung.com; Dell has not published an EOSL for the R340.
Source ↗

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

RAM: up to 64 GB of unbuffered ECC DDR4

The R340 has four DDR4 DIMM slots (A1 to A4) arranged as two channels with up to two DIMMs per channel. It takes full-size unbuffered ECC UDIMMs in 8 GB or 16 GB sizes, single or dual rank. The minimum is 8 GB and the maximum is 64 GB (4 x 16 GB). No memory is soldered to the board.

The top speed is 2666 MT/s. 2400 and 2133 MT/s are also supported, depending on the DIMM. Faster 3200 MT/s modules work from BIOS version 2.5.1 but will still run at 2666 MT/s, so they gain you nothing. If you mix speeds, everything runs at the slowest module's speed.

Dell's spec sheet has a garbled line that mentions registered ECC. Its memory tables, the technical guide and the manual list only UDIMMs, so treat this server as unbuffered ECC only. Do not buy RDIMM, LRDIMM or SO-DIMM modules.

Buying tips

  • Search for 'DDR4 ECC unbuffered UDIMM' and check the listing says unbuffered, not registered.
  • Stick to 8 GB or 16 GB modules. Larger sizes are not listed by Dell.
  • Don't pay extra for 3200 MT/s; the server runs it at 2666 MT/s.
  • Buy matching modules where you can, since mixed speeds drop to the slowest.
  • If you buy 3200 MT/s sticks anyway, update the BIOS to 2.5.1 or later first.

Storage: SATA and SAS drives, no NVMe

Which drives fit depends on the chassis you own. It is either a 4 x 3.5" chassis or an 8 x 2.5" hot-plug chassis, not both, and Dell's documents don't describe converting from one to the other. The 3.5" version may be cabled or hot-plug. Dell also lists 4 x 2.5" drives in 3.5" adapters.

Dell lists 2.5" SATA SSDs, SATA 7.2K, SAS 10K/15K, NL-SAS 7.2K and SAS SSDs. For 3.5" it lists SATA 7.2K and NL-SAS 7.2K, and the drive bay specs also mention SSDs. HDDs run from 300 GB to 14 TB and SSDs from 240 GB to 7.68 TB. Dell's rated maximums are 56 TB for the 3.5" chassis (14 TB drives) and 19.2 TB for the 2.5" chassis. The 19.2 TB figure is lower than 8 x 7.68 TB would give, so it looks like a rated figure rather than a hard limit, but Dell doesn't say. Drive thickness limits for the 2.5" bays are not stated, and no NVMe drives are listed.

SAS drives need a PERC or HBA controller. Dell lists the PERC H730P, H330 and HBA330 for internal use, PERC S140 for software RAID, and a 12 Gbps SAS HBA for external use. Internal controllers go in a dedicated PERC slot rather than a normal PCIe slot.

There is no M.2 slot on the motherboard. The only M.2 option is the optional BOSS card, with one or two 240 GB M.2 drives (RAID 1 with two). Dell's documents don't confirm the M.2 length or whether the drives are SATA or NVMe, and one table suggests BOSS may not be supported with cabled drives. Check this before buying. An optional Internal Dual SD Module takes one or two microSD cards (16, 32 or 64 GB), mainly for booting a hypervisor.

Buying tips

  • Check whether your server is the 3.5" or 2.5" version before buying drives.
  • For SAS drives, confirm you have a PERC or HBA controller installed.
  • Don't buy NVMe drives or M.2 adapters expecting them to work; no NVMe is listed.
  • Only buy a BOSS card or M.2 boot drives after confirming the card's drive type and length with Dell.
  • Treat Dell's 56 TB and 19.2 TB figures as rated maximums, not guarantees.

Cheapest compatible right now

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CPU: LGA1151 Xeon E-2100/E-2200 and a few Core options

The R340 has one LGA1151 (Socket H4) socket with the Intel C246 chipset. Dell lists Xeon E-2100 and E-2200 processors, plus Core i3, Pentium and Celeron. Dell's processor options don't include a matching family entry for the E-2200, so check Dell's processor matrix and BIOS release notes before buying one. We found no stated BIOS requirement for E-2200 chips.

Dell doesn't state a maximum TDP. Its reference configurations use the E-2124 (71 W) and E-2126G (80 W), so check the processor matrix before buying anything above 80 W. Dell's guides also disagree on core counts: the older E-2100 guide says up to six cores, and the newer guide that adds E-2200 says up to eight.

Integrated graphics cannot be used with Xeon E-2100 or E-2200 CPUs in this server. Video comes from the BMC instead. Dell's documents don't say whether non-Xeon CPUs change which memory is supported.

Buying tips

  • Don't assume any LGA1151 chip will work; stick to the families Dell lists.
  • Check Dell's processor matrix and BIOS notes before buying, especially for E-2200 or anything above 80 W.
  • Don't pay extra for a CPU's integrated graphics; with E-2100/E-2200 it can't be used here.
  • Buy from a seller with a return policy, since compatibility details are thin.

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Check whether your server is the 4 x 3.5" or 8 x 2.5" version.
  • Note your current BIOS version, especially if you plan to fit 3200 MT/s memory (BIOS 2.5.1 or later).
  • Keep the owner's manual handy for exact disassembly steps.
  • Back up any data and note your RAID or controller setup.
  • Have an anti-static wrist strap or equivalent, and a clear workspace.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Back up anything important and note your RAID and BIOS settings before you open the server.
  2. Update the BIOS if needed
    If you are fitting 3200 MT/s memory, make sure the BIOS is 2.5.1 or later first. Check Dell's BIOS release notes before fitting an E-2200 CPU.
  3. Power off and unplug
    Shut the server down fully, then unplug all power cords and other cables. Let it sit for a moment.
  4. Ground yourself
    Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold components by their edges.
  5. Open the case
    Follow the owner's manual to remove the cover. The expansion riser is not hot-swappable, so the server must stay powered off when you work on cards.
  6. Install the part
    Fit the memory, drive, controller or CPU as the owner's manual describes. Use matched DIMMs in the A1 to A4 slots, and install drives in the bays that match your chassis.
  7. Close up and reconnect
    Refit the cover, reconnect the cables and power cords, and switch on.
  8. Check that the server sees the part
    Enter the BIOS or the Dell management tools and confirm the new memory amount, drive or processor is detected. If it isn't, power down and check the seating.

Good to know

  • Dell's spec sheet mentions registered ECC, but the other Dell documents list only unbuffered UDIMMs. This guide follows the latter.
  • Drive thickness limits for the 2.5" bays aren't stated in Dell's documents we found.
  • The M.2 length and interface for the BOSS card aren't confirmed, and BOSS may not be supported with cabled drives.
  • Dell states no maximum CPU TDP; reference configurations are 71 W and 80 W.
  • Dell's guides disagree on the maximum core count (six in the older guide, eight in the newer one).
  • We found no stated BIOS or compatibility requirements for E-2200 CPUs. Check Dell's processor matrix and BIOS release notes.
  • Dell's PERC slot description is inconsistent in the service manual (it names x4 but lists x8); the Technical Guide's x8 figure is the clearer one.
  • Dell's 19.2 TB maximum for 8 x 2.5" is lower than 8 x 7.68 TB would give, so treat it as a rated figure rather than a hard limit.
  • For exact disassembly steps, follow Dell's owner's manual for your chassis.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell PowerEdge R340 take?

Up to 64 GB, using four 16 GB unbuffered ECC DDR4 UDIMMs. The minimum is 8 GB, and 16 GB is the largest module Dell lists.

Does the R340 support registered (RDIMM) memory?

No. Use unbuffered ECC DDR4 UDIMMs only. Dell's spec sheet has a garbled line mentioning registered ECC, but its memory tables and technical guide list only UDIMMs. Don't buy RDIMM, LRDIMM or SO-DIMM.

Does the R340 support NVMe SSDs?

No NVMe drives or bays are listed. The front bays take SATA or SAS drives, and there is no M.2 slot on the motherboard.

Can I add an M.2 SSD to the R340?

Only through Dell's optional BOSS card, which holds one or two 240 GB M.2 drives and uses a PCIe slot. The M.2 length and drive interface aren't confirmed in Dell's documents, so check before buying.

What CPU socket does the R340 use?

Socket H4 (LGA1151) with the Intel C246 chipset. Dell lists Xeon E-2100 and E-2200, Core i3, Pentium and Celeron. Dell doesn't state a maximum TDP.

Can I put a graphics card in the R340?

No. The R340 doesn't support GPU cards, and it has only two PCIe Gen 3 slots (Slot 1 is limited to an x4 link). Video comes from the BMC.

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.