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Dell PowerEdge C6420

End of saleServers2U 4-node
Dell PowerEdge C64202U 4-node6 × SFF 2.5" bays2 sockets

The Dell PowerEdge C6420 is an enterprise 2U 4-node server powered by 2 Intel Xeon Scalable 1st Gen (Skylake) and 2nd Gen (Cascade Lake) and 16 memory slots supporting up to 1024GB DDR4-2666 / DDR4-2933 RDIMM (per node). Configured with Up to 6x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA/NVMe or 3x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA drives per node (24x 2.5 or 12x 3.5 in 2U) and Up to 2 PCIe Gen3 slots per node, the C6420 delivers balanced compute and I/O density for enterprise database, hypervisor, and application workloads.

Also written as: PowerEdge C6420, Dell C6420, C6420 Compute Sled

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Specifications

BrandDell
FamilyPowerEdge C
Form factor2U 4-node
ReleasedJul 2017
End of saleMay 2023
End of supportJun 2028
Cpu sockets2
Cpu platformIntel Xeon Scalable 1st Gen (Skylake) and 2nd Gen (Cascade Lake), up to 28 cores, 205W TDP
Memory slots16
Memory typeDDR4-2666 / DDR4-2933 RDIMM (per node)
Memory max (GB)1,024
Drive baysUp to 6x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA/NVMe or 3x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA drives per node (24x 2.5 or 12x 3.5 in 2U)
Pcie slotsUp to 2 PCIe Gen3 slots per node
Gpu supportNone supported
Network onboardNetwork Daughter Card (NDC) slot; 1x 1GbE iDRAC9 port per node
Power supplyShared dual hot-plug 1600W, 2000W or 2400W Platinum in C6400 chassis

Generations

About the C6420

The Dell PowerEdge C6420 is an enterprise 2U 4-node server engineered for computing and virtualization workloads. Powered by 2 Intel Xeon Scalable 1st Gen (Skylake) and 2nd Gen (Cascade Lake) across 16 memory slots supporting up to 1024GB DDR4-2666 / DDR4-2933 RDIMM (per node), the C6420 balances throughput and memory capacity. In Dell's server catalog, the C6420 succeeded the POWEREDGE-C6320 and was followed by the POWEREDGE-C6520, positioned alongside rival systems including APOLLO-2000, SUPERMICRO-BIGTWIN.

Options and compatibility

Processor support on the C6420 utilizes 2 LGA3647 (Socket P0) sockets with thermal heatsinks matching CPU power envelopes. System memory slots on the C6420 require DDR4-2666 / DDR4-2933 RDIMM (per node) modules, and mixing RDIMM with LRDIMM memory is not supported. Front backplanes on the C6420 accommodate either DXD9H (2.5-inch SFF) or X7K8W (3.5-inch LFF) trays based on chassis option. Networking on the C6420 uses Network Daughter Card (NDC), and expansion cards install into Up to 2 PCIe Gen3 slots per node risers.

How to identify it

Physical identification of the C6420 is verified by the 14th-generation silver-gray brushed aluminum honeycomb bezel with the C6420 badge on the front chassis ear. The pull-out information tag on the C6420 control panel displays the 7-character Dell Service Tag and default login credentials. In iDRAC9, the server identifies as C6420 with active firmware, slot mapping, and power telemetry.

Buying used

When evaluating a pre-owned C6420, inspect the LGA3647 (Socket P0) CPU socket pins for damage and ensure retention clips are intact. Run Dell ePSA diagnostics across all 16 memory slots of the C6420 to verify zero uncorrectable ECC faults under load. Verify that redundant power supplies in the C6420 match in wattage and that iDRAC9 Enterprise remote console is enabled. Ensure required C6420 drive caddies and bracket accessories are present.

Compatible parts

RAID controllers

Boot devices

Works together

How the Dell PowerEdge C6420 connects to servers, storage and the network: 4 ways, with the parts and products on each path.

Fibre Channel SANiSCSI and NVMe/TCP over EthernetDirect-attached SASFile storage (NFS and SMB)

Fibre Channel SAN

Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).

Adapters for the server (check the fit list)

Switches

Storage

Optics

Fibre Channel SAN: how it fits together

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet

Keep the speed the same at all three points: a 25GbE server, a 25GbE switch port and a 25GbE array port. Mixed speeds work but the slowest link sets the pace.

Adapters for the server (check the fit list)

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet: how it fits together

Direct-attached SAS

12Gb SAS uses Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) connectors; older 6Gb gear uses Mini-SAS (SFF-8088). Adapter cables exist, but the link runs at the slower speed.

Adapters for the server (check the fit list)

Storage

Direct-attached SAS: how it fits together

File storage (NFS and SMB)

Front-end ports face the clients; back-end ports (on scale-out systems) connect the nodes to each other and need their own switch pair.

Adapters for the server (check the fit list)

Storage

File storage (NFS and SMB): how it fits together

Plan and size it

Equivalent models from other brands

FAQ

How many CPUs fit in a fully populated C6400/C6420 system?

Up to 8 Intel Xeon Scalable processors across four C6420 compute sleds in a 2U chassis.

Can the C6420 take 3.5-inch drives?

Yes, when paired with the 12x 3.5-inch C6400 chassis, each node is assigned three 3.5-inch drive bays.

Buying or selling C6420?

New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.

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Sources