Dell PowerEdge R660 vs R670
Dell PowerEdge R660
Dell PowerEdge R670
Both the PowerEdge R660 and R670 are dual-socket 1U Intel rack servers built for dense, general-purpose data-center compute, but they sit one platform generation apart. The R660 is a 16th-generation (16G) server running Intel Xeon Scalable processors, while the R670 is a newer 17th-generation (17G) platform built around the Intel Xeon 6 family. For most buyers the decision comes down to whether you need the higher core density, faster memory, and better performance-per-watt of the latest generation, or whether the proven, broadly available, and typically more cost-effective R660 is the better fit for a known workload or an existing fleet.
Side by side
| Dell PowerEdge R660 | Dell PowerEdge R670 | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform generation | 16th Gen (16G) PowerEdge | 17th Gen (17G) PowerEdge |
| Processors | Up to two Intel Xeon Scalable (4th/5th Gen, 'Sapphire Rapids'/'Emerald Rapids') | Up to two Intel Xeon 6 processors (P-core or E-core variants) |
| Core density | Up to 64 cores per socket with 5th Gen Xeon | Substantially higher; Xeon 6 scales to far more cores per socket (P-core and high-count E-core SKUs) |
| Memory | 32 DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 5600 MT/s (1DPC), large multi-TB capacity | 32 DDR5 DIMM slots, faster DDR5 (up to 6400 MT/s class at 1DPC); also gains MRDIMM support on capable SKUs |
| I/O & storage | PCIe Gen5; up to 16 front E3.S Gen5 NVMe (plus rear options), config-dependent | PCIe Gen5; higher front NVMe density, up to ~20 front E3.S Gen5 drives in supported configs |
| Performance per watt | Strong 16G efficiency baseline | Dell cites roughly 1.8x better performance-per-watt vs the prior R660 generation on representative workloads |
| Form factor | Dual-socket 1U rack | Dual-socket 1U rack |
| Availability & positioning | Mature, widely stocked, strong secondary-market and value supply | Newer flagship 1U; forward-looking platform for AI-adjacent and refresh planning |
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Dell PowerEdge R660
Dell PowerEdge R670
Choose the R660 for proven value and fleet consistency
The R660 is the right call when you are expanding or matching an existing 16G environment, want maximum spares and image consistency, or are price-sensitive on a well-understood workload like virtualization, VDI, databases, or general web/app hosting. As a mature platform it is widely available new and on the secondary market, often at a meaningfully lower acquisition cost than the latest generation. With up to 64 cores per socket and DDR5-5600, it still delivers ample headroom for the large majority of mainstream data-center tasks. For resellers, it remains the safe, in-stock workhorse that ships fast and standardizes cleanly across a rack.
Choose the R670 for next-gen density, efficiency, and longevity
The R670 is the stronger pick for greenfield builds and forward-looking refreshes where core density, memory bandwidth, and performance-per-watt drive the business case. Intel Xeon 6 brings significantly higher core counts, faster DDR5 (with MRDIMM on capable SKUs), and Dell's cited ~1.8x performance-per-watt improvement over the R660 generation, which can reduce node count, rack space, and power/cooling cost at scale. It also adds front NVMe density (up to ~20 E3.S drives) and positions the buyer on a current platform with a longer support and upgrade runway, making it the better fit for AI inference, analytics, consolidation, and power-constrained data centers.
For most buyers the choice is generational rather than categorical: both are excellent dual-socket 1U servers, and either will run mainstream workloads well. Steer customers to the R670 when efficiency at scale, core density, memory bandwidth, or platform longevity matter, since the Xeon 6 generation can lower node count and operating cost over a multi-year life. Steer them to the R660 when budget, immediate availability, or consistency with an existing 16G fleet are the priority. A practical reseller approach is to quote the R670 for net-new and consolidation projects and the R660 for fleet expansion and value-driven refreshes, always confirming exact CPU, memory, and drive options against the current Dell configurator since specifics vary by SKU.
Talk to a specialistFrequently asked
What is the main difference between the PowerEdge R660 and R670?
They are one platform generation apart. The R660 is a 16th-generation server using Intel Xeon Scalable processors (4th/5th Gen), while the R670 is a 17th-generation platform built on Intel Xeon 6. The R670 generally offers higher core density, faster DDR5 memory, more front NVMe capacity, and improved performance-per-watt; the R660 is the more established, broadly available, and typically lower-cost option. Both are dual-socket 1U rack servers.
Is the R670 worth the upgrade over the R660?
It depends on the workload and timeframe. For greenfield deployments, consolidation, or power-constrained data centers, the R670's higher core counts and roughly 1.8x better performance-per-watt (per Dell's figures) can reduce node count and operating cost enough to justify the newer platform. For expanding an existing R660 fleet or running a well-understood, budget-sensitive workload, the R660 often remains the more economical and operationally simpler choice.
Are the R660 and R670 the same size, and can I rack them together?
Yes. Both are dual-socket 1U rack servers and fit standard racks, so they can coexist in the same environment. Keep in mind they use different processor generations and may differ in supported memory, drive, power-supply, and management options, so spares, firmware, and CPU/DIMM parts are not interchangeable between them. Confirm rail kits, power draw, and exact configuration options against Dell's current documentation for each model.
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