Dell PowerEdge C6525
The Dell PowerEdge C6525 is a 2U four-node high-density server architecture powered by dual AMD EPYC 7002 and 7003 series processors per sled. Capable of housing up to 512 physical cores and 1024 threads in a single 2U chassis, the C6525 delivers record-breaking compute density for scientific simulations, weather forecasting, seismic modeling, and container clusters. Each independent half-width node provides two AMD SP3 sockets, 16 DDR4 memory slots, and PCIe Gen4 expansion. On the secondary market, it is one of the most powerful compute-density systems available. Buyers should verify SP3 socket condition and chassis power capacity.
Also written as: PowerEdge C6525, Dell C6525, C6525 Compute Sled
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerEdge C |
| Form factor | 2U 4-node |
| Released | Mar 2020 |
| Cpu sockets | 2 |
| Cpu platform | AMD EPYC 7002 and 7003 Series Processors (up to 2x 64 cores per node, 225W cTDP) |
| Memory slots | 16 |
| Memory type | DDR4-3200 RDIMM (per node) |
| Memory max (GB) | 2,048 |
| 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 chassis |
Generations
- Next generation: Dell Poweredge C6625
Compatible parts
Other parts
- PERC-H745
Boot devices
BOSS-S1 Dell Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S1) PCIe Card with Dual M.2 SSDs
Works together
How the Dell PowerEdge C6525 connects to servers, storage and the network: 4 ways, with the parts and products on each path.
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)
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
Dell Connectrix DS-7720B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix MDS-9148T 1U rack
Dell Connectrix DS-6610B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix DS-6620B 1U rack
Storage
Dell PowerStore 1000T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 1000X 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 3000T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 5000T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 9000T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 500T 2U rack
Optics
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)
540-BBGN Dell Broadcom 57412 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ PCIe Adapter
540-BBGO Dell Broadcom 57416 Dual Port 10GBASE-T RJ45 PCIe Adapter
540-BBGP Dell Broadcom 57416 Dual Port 10GBASE-T RJ45 OCP 3.0 Adapter
540-BBHG Dell Intel X520/I350 2x10GbE SFP+ + 2x1GbE BASE-T Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
Switches
Dell PowerSwitch S5232F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch Z9264F-ON 2U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4112F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
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)
405-AANT Dell 12Gbps SAS HBA Dual Port External PCIe Controller
405-AASU Dell HBA355e External SAS 12Gb/s Host Bus Adapter
Storage
Dell PowerEdge MX5016s blade
Dell PowerVault ME5012 2U rack
Dell PowerVault ME5024 2U rack
Dell PowerVault ME5084 5U rack
Dell PowerVault ME4012 2U rack
Dell PowerVault ME4024 2U rack
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)
- 540-BBGN Dell Broadcom 57412 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ PCIe Adapter
- 540-BBGO Dell Broadcom 57416 Dual Port 10GBASE-T RJ45 PCIe Adapter
- 540-BBGP Dell Broadcom 57416 Dual Port 10GBASE-T RJ45 OCP 3.0 Adapter
- 540-BBHG Dell Intel X520/I350 2x10GbE SFP+ + 2x1GbE BASE-T Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
Switches
- Dell PowerSwitch S5232F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch Z9264F-ON 2U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S4112F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
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
Check compatibility with Dell
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Dell has tested with the Dell PowerEdge C6525.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent models from other brands
- HPE Apollo 2000 Gen10 Plus · compare
- Supermicro Bigtwin
Buying a used C6525: what to check
Inspect dual SP3 sockets on each sled for pin damage, verify BIOS firmware supports Milan (7003) processors, and check chassis blind-mate pins.
FAQ
What is the maximum core count of a 2U C6525 system?
Four nodes equipped with dual 64-core AMD EPYC 7763 CPUs provide 512 physical cores and 1024 threads in 2U.
What drive backplane options are in the C6525 chassis?
The 2U chassis accommodates up to 24x 2.5-inch drives (6 per node) supporting SAS, SATA, or direct NVMe.
Buying or selling C6525?
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.
Sources
- Dell PowerEdge C6525 Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27