Dell PowerEdge FX FC640
The PowerEdge FC640 is a half-width two-socket modular compute sled designed for the FX2 and FX2s enclosures. Built with 1st and 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors and 16 DDR4 DIMMs, it allows operators to pack up to eight CPUs and 64 memory channels into a compact 2U rack footprint.
Also written as: PowerEdge FC640, Dell FC640, FC640 Compute Sled
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerEdge FX |
| Form factor | blade |
| Released | Sep 2017 |
| End of sale | Dec 2021 |
| End of support | Dec 2026 |
| Cpu sockets | 2 |
| Cpu platform | 1st and 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors |
| Memory slots | 16 |
| Memory type | DDR4 ECC RDIMM up to 2933 MT/s |
| Drive bays | Up to 2x 2.5in SAS/SATA/NVMe SSDs |
| Chassis compatibility | PowerEdge FX2 and FX2s enclosures |
Generations
- Previous generation: Dell PowerEdge FX FC630
- Next generation: Dell PowerEdge MX750c
Works together
How the Dell PowerEdge FX FC640 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-6620B 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4148U-ON 1U switch
Dell Connectrix DS-6610B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix DS-6630B 2U switch
Storage
Dell Unity 350F 2U rack
Dell Unity 450F 2U rack
Dell Unity 550F 2U rack
Dell Unity 650F 2U rack
Dell VMAX 950F system bay multi-cabinet
Dell PowerMax 2000 system bay / standard 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-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
Switches
Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4128T-ON 1U switch
Dell PowerSwitch S4148F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4148FE-ON 1U switch
Storage
Dell Isilon A2000 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon F800 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon H400 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon H500 4U 4-node chassis
Dell Isilon H600 4U 4-node chassis- Dell Unity 350F 2U rack
Optics
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
HBA465E Dell HBA465e External Host Bus Adapter
Storage
Dell PowerEdge MX5016s blade
Dell PowerVault ME4012 2U rack
Dell PowerVault ME4024 2U rack
Dell PowerVault ME4084 5U rack
Dell PowerStore NVMe Expansion Enclosure (ENS24) 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 7000T 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-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
Switches
- Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S4128T-ON 1U switch
- Dell PowerSwitch S4148F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S4148FE-ON 1U switch
Storage
Dell Isilon A200 4U 4-node chassis- Dell Isilon F800 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Isilon H400 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Isilon H500 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Unity 350F 2U rack
- Dell Unity 450F 2U rack
Optics
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 FX FC640.
- 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
FAQ
How many FC640 sleds can operate inside an FX2 chassis?
Up to four half-width FC640 compute sleds fit in a single 2U FX2 or FX2s enclosure, providing high multi-node compute density.
Does the FC640 support NVMe solid-state storage?
Yes, front drive bays on the FC640 can be configured with dual PCIe NVMe SSDs for fast local caching and boot performance.
Buying or selling FC640?
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 FC640 Support Overview, checked 2026-10-27
- Dell PowerEdge FC640 Technical Documentation, checked 2026-10-27