Dell PowerEdge C6520

Name: Dell PowerEdge C6520
Brand: Dell

CurrentServers2U 4-node

The Dell PowerEdge C6520 is an enterprise 2U 4-node server powered by 2 Intel Xeon Scalable 3rd Gen (Ice Lake and 16 memory slots supporting up to 1024GB DDR4-3200 RDIMM (per node). Configured with Up to 6x 2.5-inch NVMe/SAS/SATA drives per node (24x 2.5 in 2U chassis) and Up to 2 PCIe Gen4 slots per node, the C6520 delivers balanced compute and I/O density for enterprise database, hypervisor, and application workloads.

Also written as: PowerEdge C6520, Dell C6520, C6520 Compute Sled

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Specifications

Brand	Dell
Family	PowerEdge C
Form factor	2U 4-node
Released	May 2021
Cpu sockets	2
Cpu platform	Intel Xeon Scalable 3rd Gen (Ice Lake, up to 2 processors per node, 250W TDP)
Memory slots	16
Memory type	DDR4-3200 RDIMM (per node)
Memory max (GB)	1,024
Drive bays	Up to 6x 2.5-inch NVMe/SAS/SATA drives per node (24x 2.5 in 2U chassis)
Pcie slots	Up to 2 PCIe Gen4 slots per node
Gpu support	None supported
Network onboard	OCP 3.0 mezzanine slot; 1x 1GbE iDRAC9 port per node
Power supply	Shared dual hot-plug 1600W, 2000W or 2400W Platinum in C6400/C6500 chassis

Generations

Previous generation: Dell PowerEdge C6420
Next generation: Dell PowerEdge C6620

About the C6520

The Dell PowerEdge C6520 is an enterprise 2U 4-node server engineered for computing and virtualization workloads. Powered by 2 Intel Xeon Scalable 3rd Gen (Ice Lake across 16 memory slots supporting up to 1024GB DDR4-3200 RDIMM (per node), the C6520 balances throughput and memory capacity. In Dell's server catalog, the C6520 succeeded the POWEREDGE-C6420 and was followed by the POWEREDGE-C6620, positioned alongside rival systems including APOLLO-2000-GEN10-PLUS, SUPERMICRO-BIGTWIN.

Options and compatibility

Processor support on the C6520 utilizes 2 LGA4189 (Socket P+) sockets with thermal heatsinks matching CPU power envelopes. System memory slots on the C6520 require DDR4-3200 RDIMM (per node) modules, and mixing RDIMM with LRDIMM memory is not supported. The C6520 chassis utilizes DXD9H (2.5-inch SFF) drive trays across its 2.5-inch drive backplane bays. Networking on the C6520 uses OCP 3.0 mezzanine slot, and expansion cards install into Up to 2 PCIe Gen4 slots per node risers.

How to identify it

Physical identification of the C6520 is verified by the 15th-generation high-airflow front security bezel with the C6520 badge on the front chassis ear. The pull-out information tag on the C6520 control panel displays the 7-character Dell Service Tag and default login credentials. In iDRAC9 Gen15, the server identifies as C6520 with active firmware, slot mapping, and power telemetry.

Buying used

When evaluating a pre-owned C6520, inspect the LGA4189 (Socket P+) CPU socket pins for damage and ensure retention clips are intact. Run Dell ePSA diagnostics across all 16 memory slots of the C6520 to verify zero uncorrectable ECC faults under load. Verify that redundant power supplies in the C6520 match in wattage and that iDRAC9 Gen15 Enterprise remote console is enabled. Ensure required C6520 drive caddies and bracket accessories are present.

Compatible parts

Other parts

PERC-H745

Boot devices

BOSS-S2 Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S2) Hot-Plug Rear Controller with Dual M.2 SSDs

Works together

How the Dell PowerEdge C6520 connects to servers, storage and the network: 4 ways, with the parts and products on each path.

Fibre Channel SAN iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet Direct-attached SAS File storage (NFS and SMB)

Fibre Channel SAN

Serverwith an FC HBAFC switchtwo fabrics, A and BStorage arrayFC host ports

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)

540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter

Switches

Storage

Optics

407-BBOG Dell 16Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BBOH Dell 8Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver

Fibre Channel SAN: how it fits together

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet

Server10/25/100GbE NICEthernet switchstorage VLAN, two switchesStorage arrayiSCSI or NVMe/TCP ports

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)

540-BBHG Dell Intel X520/I350 2x10GbE SFP+ + 2x1GbE BASE-T Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BBHH Dell Intel X540/I350 2x10GBASE-T + 2x1GbE BASE-T Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BBIU Dell Broadcom 57416/5720 2x10GBASE-T + 2x1GbE Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BBIV Dell Broadcom 57412/5720 2x10GbE SFP+ + 2x1GbE Network Daughter Card (rNDC)

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

Direct-attached SAS

Serverexternal SAS HBASAS cableMini-SAS HD, no switchArray or JBODSAS host ports or EMM

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)

405-AANT Dell 12Gbps SAS HBA Dual Port External PCIe Controller
405-AASU Dell HBA355e External SAS 12Gb/s Host Bus Adapter

Storage

Direct-attached SAS: how it fits together

File storage (NFS and SMB)

Server or clientEthernet NICEthernet switchdata or storage VLANNAS or scale-outNFS, SMB, S3 ports

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)

540-BBHG Dell Intel X520/I350 2x10GbE SFP+ + 2x1GbE BASE-T Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BBHH Dell Intel X540/I350 2x10GBASE-T + 2x1GbE BASE-T Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BBIU Dell Broadcom 57416/5720 2x10GBASE-T + 2x1GbE Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BBIV Dell Broadcom 57412/5720 2x10GbE SFP+ + 2x1GbE Network Daughter Card (rNDC)

Storage

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

Plan and size it

Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
Dell E-Lab Navigator (Dell interoperability) dell.com

Equivalent models from other brands

HPE Apollo 2000 Gen10 Plus
Supermicro Bigtwin

FAQ

What processors are supported in each C6520 node?

Dual 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors up to 40 cores and 250W TDP per sled.

What memory speed does the C6520 achieve?

DDR4-3200 across 16 DIMM slots (8 channels per socket) for up to 1TB of RAM per node.

Buying or selling C6520?

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

Dell PowerEdge C6520 Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27