Choosing the right server can make or break your IT infrastructure—whether you’re building a home lab, powering a small business, or scaling a data center. In this review, we unveil four standout computer servers available today. Our recommendations are backed by extensive research, hands-on testing, and expert analysis to help you find the perfect fit.
Methodology
Throughout our selection process, we prioritized:
- Real-World Performance: Benchmarked CPU, memory, storage, and network under typical server workloads.
- Expert Analysis: Consulted IT professionals on reliability, manageability, and scalability.
- User Feedback: Aggregated reviews from small businesses and data centers to assess long-term satisfaction.
- Price & Availability: Compared cost-effectiveness and current stock levels to ensure timely acquisition.
R730xd Entry Server
The Dell R730xd Entry Server offers dual Xeon processing and ample RAID storage at an unbeatable price. With 28 cores, 128GB DDR4, and four 1.2TB SAS drives under a H730P RAID controller, it handles virtualization and file-serving tasks without breaking the bank.
Standout Features
- Dual 14-core Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 CPUs
- 128GB DDR4 RAM with easy expansion
- Four 1.2TB 10K SAS drives + H730P RAID
An ideal rackmount server for budget-driven deployments that demand enterprise-grade reliability.
Dell R750xs Powerhouse
This renewed Dell PowerEdge R750xs Powerhouse delivers premium performance for mission-critical environments. Its 16-core Intel Xeon CPU, 256GB DDR4 RAM, twelve 4TB SAS drives, and dual 480GB SSD boot volumes ensure maximum throughput, high availability, and future-proof scalability.
Key Benefits
- Intel Xeon 3.60GHz 16-core processor
- 256GB DDR4 ECC memory for heavy workloads
- 12×4TB SAS + 2×480GB SSD configuration
- Enterprise-grade reliability and expansion
A top-tier rack server designed to meet the demands of large data centers and virtualization clusters.
R640 High-Capacity Server
The renewed Dell PowerEdge R640 High-Capacity Server offers exceptional value with a 40-core Xeon processor, 128GB DDR4 ECC memory, and a versatile mix of SSD and HDD storage. Its 1U form factor is perfect for virtualization and storage-intensive applications in space-constrained racks.
Highlights
- Intel Xeon 2.40GHz 40-core CPU
- 128GB DDR4 ECC RAM
- 2×1.92TB SSD + 6×1.8TB HDD
- 1U rack design for dense environments
An outstanding price-to-performance pick that excels in virtualized and storage-heavy workloads.
Dell T160 Compact Server
The Dell T160 Compact Server combines new-generation Xeon E-2434 performance with a space-saving tower chassis. With 16GB DDR5 ECC RAM, 2TB HDD, iDRAC9 Express, and an energy-efficient 300W PSU, it’s ideal for small businesses and edge deployments seeking a reliable, easy-to-manage server.
Why We Chose It
- Intel Xeon E-2434 (4c/8t, up to 5.0GHz)
- 16GB DDR5 ECC memory for stability
- 2TB HDD with room for future expansion
- iDRAC9 Express remote management
An excellent all-round tower server that balances performance, manageability, and price.
Summary
Below is a comparative overview of our top picks:
| Category | Model | CPU | RAM | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Budget Pick | R730xd Entry Server | 2×Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 (28c) | 128GB DDR4 | 4×1.2TB 10K SAS | $526.76 |
| Best Value for Money | R640 High-Capacity Server | Xeon 2.40GHz 40-core | 128GB DDR4 | 2×1.92TB SSD + 6×1.8TB HDD | $751.91 |
| Editors Choice | T160 Compact Server | Xeon E-2434 (4c/8t) | 16GB DDR5 ECC | 2TB HDD | $1,299.00 |
| Premium Choice | R750xs Powerhouse | Intel Xeon 3.60GHz 16-core | 256GB DDR4 | 12×4TB SAS + 2×480GB SSD | $7,472.95 |
Overall Best: The Dell R750xs Powerhouse stands out for raw performance and scalability. Alternatives: For compact management, the T160 is our pick; the R640 delivers unbeatable value; and the R730xd excels on a tight budget.
Conclusion
Selecting the right server hinges on workload demands, budget, and rack space:
- Budget Deployments: The R730xd Entry Server offers powerful Xeon performance and RAID storage for under $550.
- Value-Focused Builds: The R640 High-Capacity Server packs 40 cores and mixed storage in a dense 1U rack at an attractive price.
- Office & Edge: The Dell T160 Compact Server earns Editor’s Choice for its blend of efficiency, manageability, and reliability.
- Enterprise & Data Center: The R750xs Powerhouse is our Premium Choice, delivering top-tier compute, memory, and I/O for mission-critical environments.
Our findings are rooted in rigorous benchmarking, expert insights, and real-world feedback—helping you confidently choose the server that best meets your needs.