Dell PowerEdge R7725 with AMD Processors: Application and Features

The Dell PowerEdge R7725 with AMD processors is a high-performance rack server, positioned as the top model in Dell’s Gen17 server portfolio. It is designed to handle demanding enterprise workloads and, thanks to its specifications, can play a crucial role in server consolidation.

Advantages of the Dell PowerEdge R7725

A key advantage of the Dell PowerEdge R7725 is its high core density: As a dual-socket server, it supports AMD’s EPYC 9005 CPUs up to the EPYC 9965 with 192 cores, enabling 384 physical cores in just 2 rack units (2U) of space. This makes it the server with the highest core density in its form factor class. Tests have shown that the server with AMD EPYC 9755 processors can handle significantly more work than older server generations. A single R7725 could replace up to 14 older servers for analytics workloads or 13 servers for Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) workloads. This server consolidation allows for cost savings, especially in power consumption and licensing costs. Power consumption can decrease by about 75 to 76 percent compared to using older servers, for both analytics and OLTP workloads. The performance per core for OLTP workloads increased by about 63 percent compared to older solutions. The server’s cooling concept includes a T-shaped motherboard that allows the power supplies to be placed on both sides of the chassis, creating balanced airflow and avoiding hot spots. With Dell Smart Cooling technology, the server can support most configurations in air-cooled environments, even with high Thermal Design Power (TDP) CPUs like the EPYC 9965. For systems with higher specifications, the Dell Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) kit is also available. Regarding storage and expansion options, the R7725 is very flexible. It supports a wide range of storage configurations, including up to forty E3.S Gen5 NVMe SSDs. You can configure up to 12 LFF or 24 SFF SAS/SATA drives, or combine 16 SFF SAS/SATA drives with 8 U.2 NVMe SSDs. For the operating system and booting purposes, the server supports Dell’s BOSS-N1 DC-MHS adapter, which offers dual hot-plug M.2 NVMe SSD slots that can be mirrored or striped. For RAID functions, three Dell PERC RAID controllers are available, including the high-performance PERC13 H975i, which is optimized for storage acceleration in AI workloads. Expandability is enhanced by up to eight PCIe Gen5 slots and two OCP 3 slots. For AI workloads, the server can accommodate two 400W double-width or eight 75W single-width GPU cards.

Disadvantages of the Dell PowerEdge R7725

Despite its many advantages, there is one aspect that potential buyers should consider: The purchase price for high-end configurations can be substantial. While entry-level models start at around €15,200 (excluding VAT), a fully equipped system with 20 E3.S NVMe SSDs can cost over €120,000, with the SSDs accounting for almost half the price. This requires a significant investment, but one that can pay off through the performance and consolidation opportunities it offers.

Use Cases

The Dell PowerEdge R7725 is designed for a variety of demanding enterprise workloads. It is particularly well-suited for:

• Big Data Analytics: Its high core density and storage capacity make it ideal for processing and analyzing large amounts of data.

• AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning) and HPC (High-Performance Computing): Its ability to support powerful GPU cards and its enormous computing power make it predestined for these computationally intensive applications.

• Virtualization: The massive EPYC core density and large memory capacity of up to 6 TB of DDR5 RAM make it an excellent platform for consolidating virtual machines.

• Databases and Transaction Processing: It enhances the performance of transactional databases, making it optimal for Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) workloads.

• Server Consolidation: Companies looking to replace their legacy systems and free up valuable rack space will find an ideal solution in the R7725, as it can take over the work of several older servers.

Maintenance and Support

Maintenance and management of the Dell PowerEdge R7725 are significantly simplified by Dell’s iDRAC10 (integrated Dell Remote Access Controller), which is considered the standard for remote management. iDRAC10 offers various features, including a dedicated security processor with a cyber-resilient architecture. Security features include Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), integrated Root-of-Trust (RoT) encryption, and stronger algorithms for verifying hardware component integrity during the secure boot process. The implementation of iDRAC10 as a DC-SCM (Datacenter-Ready Secure Control Module) moves server management and security functions from the motherboard to an OCP-compliant plug-in card, allowing Dell to independently develop new features and use a standard form factor across the entire product line. For the comprehensive management of multiple Dell servers, the Dell OpenManage Enterprise (OME) software is available, which can be run as a Hyper-V VM and offers functions such as discovery, monitoring, remote control, and power management.