Dell PowerEdge R440 Upgrade Guide: RAM, Storage and CPU

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. Supported until Dec. 31, 2028 (estimate).

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

RAM: 16 slots, registered ECC only

The R440 has 16 DDR4 DIMM slots, full-size, with no soldered memory. It accepts registered ECC modules only: RDIMM or LRDIMM. Desktop UDIMMs and laptop SO-DIMMs will not work.

RDIMMs are available up to 32 GB per module, which gives a 512 GB ceiling with two CPUs. To reach the 1 TB maximum you need 64 GB LRDIMMs in all 16 slots. CPU1 owns 10 slots and CPU2 owns 6, so a single-CPU server can only use 10 slots: 640 GB with 64 GB LRDIMMs, or 320 GB with 32 GB RDIMMs.

The top memory speed is 2666 MT/s. Depending on the CPU, module type and BIOS settings the server may run at 2400, 2133 or 1866 MT/s instead. If you mix speeds, everything runs at the slowest module's speed. Some 2nd gen CPUs are rated for faster memory, but the R440's stated maximum is still 2666 MT/s.

Population rules: no more than two different ranks may be mixed, x4 and x8 modules can be mixed, fill the highest-capacity modules first starting at slot A1, and the second CPU mirrors the first CPU's population. For Dell's performance-optimized orders, 4 modules per CPU use slots 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8 per CPU use slots 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10. Dell recommends staying at or below 768 GB for performance-optimized configurations, even though 1 TB is supported.

Buying tips

• Buy registered ECC RDIMM or LRDIMM modules, DDR4, 1.2 V, full-size.
• Only buy 64 GB modules if they are LRDIMMs; 64 GB RDIMMs are not supported.
• Match speed and rank where you can, so you avoid slowdowns and configuration problems.
• Check whether you have one or two CPUs before planning more than 10 modules.

Storage: bays are fixed, BOSS handles M.2

The front hot-swap bays depend on the backplane the server was ordered with, and you cannot change this by swapping drives. The options are up to 4 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA (Dell lists up to 64 TB), up to 8 x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA, or up to 10 x 2.5-inch with up to 4 of them NVMe (Dell lists up to 76.8 TB). Only the 10-bay chassis supports NVMe. A 2.5-inch drive can go in a 3.5-inch bay using a hybrid carrier. Interface speeds are 12 Gb SAS and 6 Gb SATA. SAS/SATA drives need a PERC or HBA controller; Dell's spec sheet lists PERC H330, H730P, H740P, HBA330 and software RAID S140.

Dell's documents don't state the maximum 2.5-inch drive thickness or the PCIe generation of the NVMe bays. Some thermally restricted configurations don't allow NVMe drives at all. Dell's own manuals also differ on the controller list, so confirm what is in your server. Newer PERC 11 cards (H750, H350, HBA350i) cannot be mixed with the older H740P, H730P, H330 and HBA330 in one system. One Dell comparison document also appears to mention a cabled 4 x 3.5-inch option, which the spec sheet and technical guide do not clearly confirm.

There is no M.2 slot on the motherboard. M.2 is only available through the optional BOSS card, a low-profile hardware RAID1 card holding two M.2 SATA SSDs. It is SATA only, not NVMe, and meant for boot drives. Dell's documents disagree on its drive sizes (240/480 GB on the spec sheet, 120/240 GB elsewhere), and the M.2 length isn't stated, so check the service manual before buying drives.

The rear IDSDM/vFlash module is another Dell-specific boot option. It takes microSD cards, not full-size SD: 16, 32 or 64 GB for IDSDM, and 16 GB only for vFlash.

Buying tips

• Check which front-bay configuration your server has before buying any drives.
• Only choose NVMe drives if you have the 10 x 2.5-inch chassis and confirm your thermal configuration allows them.
• Treat BOSS and IDSDM as Dell-specific add-ins, not generic M.2 or SD slots.
• Don't mix PERC 11 cards with older PERC or HBA330 controllers.

CPU: two sockets, watch the 150 W limit

The R440 has two CPU sockets and supports Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Dell's documents don't name the socket; these CPUs use LGA3647. Dell's spec sheet describes 2nd generation parts with up to 24 cores, while the technical guide's CPU table also lists 1st generation-style parts (Gold 6126, 6130, 6132, 6140, 6152 and Bronze 3104) alongside 2nd generation 62xx models. Install matching CPUs in both sockets.

The maximum CPU power is 150 W, but only on systems with system board part number 4JN2K. This applies to the 6252, 6248, 6242 and 6240. Earlier board revisions support up to 140 W only. Some thermally restricted configurations also limit you to 140 W. Dell's guide prints the 6248 as 6428, which looks like a typo.

A second CPU is what unlocks all 16 memory slots and the left PCIe riser slot. A single-CPU server is limited to the 10 CPU1 memory slots.

Buying tips

• Check your system board part number for 4JN2K before buying a 150 W CPU.
• If your server has a thermally restricted configuration, stay at or below 140 W.
• Buy CPUs as a matched pair if you are filling both sockets.
• Remember that adding a second CPU also enables the extra memory slots and left riser.

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Find out whether your server has one or two CPUs, and which front-bay chassis you have (4 x 3.5-inch, 8 x 2.5-inch or 10 x 2.5-inch).
• Check your system board part number if you plan to fit a 150 W CPU.
• Back up your data and note your current RAID and BIOS settings.
• Check for BIOS and firmware updates before adding new hardware.
• Keep the owner's manual handy for exact disassembly and part locations.

Steps

1. Back up and prepare
   Back up important data and make a note of your RAID configuration. Check Dell's support pages for BIOS and firmware updates, especially before fitting a new CPU.
2. Power off and unplug
   Shut the server down properly, then disconnect all power cables and other cables from the back.
3. Ground yourself
   Use an anti-static wrist strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold components by their edges.
4. Open the case
   Follow the owner's manual to open the server and remove any covers or shrouds in the way. Dell's service manual covers the inside of the system and each part.
5. Install the part
   For memory, fill the slots in the order given in the population rules, highest-capacity modules first from slot A1. For drives, use the hot-swap bays or the BOSS or IDSDM modules as described in the manual. For a CPU, follow Dell's CPU installation procedure in the manual and fit matching CPUs.
6. Close up and reconnect
   Refit any shrouds and the cover, reconnect the cables and power on the server.
7. Check that the system sees the part
   For memory, press F2 at startup and check System BIOS > Memory Settings to confirm the installed capacity. Also check that new drives and CPUs show up in the BIOS or your controller's configuration.

Good to know

• Dell's documents don't name the CPU socket; these CPUs use LGA3647.
• Dell's documents disagree on BOSS drive sizes: 240/480 GB on the spec sheet and 120/240 GB elsewhere, with one comparison document listing only 480 GB.
• The M.2 length for the BOSS card, the NVMe PCIe generation and the 2.5-inch drive thickness limit are not stated in Dell's documents.
• The 64 GB LRDIMM is described as quad rank in one Dell document and as 2R in another; check the module you buy.
• One Dell document says 1 TB without mentioning that it needs LRDIMMs and two CPUs; the manuals make that clear.
• Some thermally restricted configurations limit CPUs to 140 W, rule out NVMe drives, and have other restrictions such as requiring redundant power supplies. The exact scope isn't fully clear, so check your configuration.
• Dell's documents differ on the RAID controller list and PCIe slot widths, so confirm what your server actually has.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell PowerEdge R440 take?

Up to 1 TB with two CPUs and 16 x 64 GB LRDIMMs. With 32 GB RDIMMs the maximum is 512 GB. A single-CPU server tops out at 640 GB with LRDIMMs, or 320 GB with RDIMMs.

What type of memory does the R440 use?

DDR4 registered ECC, as RDIMM or LRDIMM. Desktop UDIMMs and SO-DIMMs are not supported. The maximum speed is 2666 MT/s.

Does the R440 have an M.2 slot?

Not on the motherboard. M.2 is only available through the optional BOSS card, which holds two M.2 SATA SSDs in hardware RAID1. It is SATA only, not NVMe, and is meant for boot drives.

Can I add NVMe drives to the R440?

Only on the 10 x 2.5-inch chassis, which supports up to 4 NVMe drives. Some thermally restricted configurations don't allow NVMe, and Dell's documents don't state the NVMe PCIe generation.

Which CPUs does the R440 support?

Intel Xeon Scalable 1st and 2nd generation processors in two sockets, up to 150 W. Dell's documents don't name the socket; these CPUs use LGA3647. 150 W models (6252, 6248, 6242, 6240) need system board part 4JN2K; earlier boards support up to 140 W.

Can I use a 2.5-inch SSD in a 3.5-inch bay?

Yes, Dell says a 2.5-inch drive can be fitted in a 3.5-inch bay using a hybrid carrier.

Official documents and references

• PDF Dell PowerEdge R440 spec sheet
  Overview of memory, drive bays, controllers and CPUs
• PDF Dell PowerEdge R440 technical guide
  Memory population rules, CPU table, BOSS and IDSDM details
• R440 memory specifications
  Module sizes and single or dual CPU maximums
• R440 system memory guidelines
  Slot and channel layout per CPU
• Installing a memory module
  Install steps and BIOS check
• Dell 14G memory population rules
  Which slots to fill for 4 or 8 modules per CPU
• Inside the R440 system
  Service manual sections including the M.2 SSD module
• R440 expansion bus specifications
  PCIe riser and slot details for add-in cards
• PDF R440 generation comparison matrix
  Memory and storage limits compared with other generations