Dell PowerStore 3000X
The Dell PowerStore 3000X is a 2U converged storage platform equipped with Dell's AppsON capability, running VMware ESXi hypervisors directly on the dual storage controller hardware. Powered by dual 20-core Intel Xeon Gold processors and 768GB RAM, the 3000X allows users to run guest virtual machines and storage software on the exact same appliance, eliminating external server hops for data-intensive analytics and branch-office consolidation.
Also written as: PowerStore 3000X, Dell EMC PowerStore 3000X, PowerStore 3000 X AppsON
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerStore |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Released | May 2020 |
| Cpu platform | Dual active-active storage nodes, Intel Xeon Gold 6248 (20 cores per node, 40 cores per appliance) |
| Memory max (GB) | 768 |
| Drive bays | Up to 25x 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs / NVMe SCM drives in base enclosure; expands up to 96 NVMe drives across DAEs |
| Raw capacity | Up to 3.5 PB effective capacity per appliance |
| Network onboard | 4-port 25GbE Mezzanine; 2x I/O module slots per node supporting 32Gb FC or 25GbE optical |
| Power supply | Dual redundant hot-plug 1800W Platinum power supplies |
Generations
- Previous generation: Dell Unity XT 680XT
- Next generation: Dell PowerStore 3200T
Compatible parts
HBAs
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMU Dell Emulex LPe35002 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Transceivers
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Drive caddies
DXD9H Dell 2.5-inch Gen14/Gen15/Gen16 Hot-Plug Drive Caddy Tray (SFF)
SSDs
400-AZPZ Dell 1.92TB SAS Read Intensive 12Gb/s 2.5-inch Hot-Plug SSD
400-BDSD Dell 3.84TB SAS Read Intensive 12Gb/s 2.5-inch Hot-Plug SSD
Works together
How the Dell PowerStore 3000X connects to servers, storage and the network: 2 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).
Servers
Dell PowerEdge R6525 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R7525 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R250 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R350 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R450 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R550 2U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter- 540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
- 540-BCMU Dell Emulex LPe35002 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BDLM Dell Emulex LPe36002 Dual Port 64Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Switches
Dell Connectrix ED-DCX7-8B 14U director chassis
Dell Connectrix DS-7720B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix MDS-9148T 1U rack
Dell Connectrix MP-7850B 1U switch
Optics
- 407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
57-1000333-01 Brocade 32G FC SFP+ SWL
DS-SFP-FC32G-LW Cisco 32Gbps Fibre Channel Longwave SFP28 Transceiver
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.
Servers
- Dell PowerEdge R6525 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R7525 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R250 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R350 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R450 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R550 2U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
540-BBHB Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Network Adapter
540-BBJL Dell Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BCND Dell Mellanox ConnectX-6 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 PCIe Adapter
Switches
Dell Connectrix ED-DCX7-4B 9U director chassis
Dell PowerSwitch N3248PXE-ON 1U switch
Dell PowerSwitch S5212F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S5224F-ON 1U rack
Optics
- 407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
SFP-25G-LR-AR Arista 25GBASE-LR SFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
SFP-25G-SR Arista 25GBASE-SR SFP28 Optical Transceiver
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 PowerStore 3000X.
- 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
Buying a used PowerStore 3000X: what to check
Verify VMware vSphere license assignments required for AppsON execution, test NVMe SSD read/write integrity across backplane bays, and confirm matching battery backup packs on both nodes.
FAQ
What makes PowerStore X distinct from PowerStore T?
PowerStore X embeds VMware ESXi directly on bare metal nodes to host guest VMs natively via AppsON, while T runs containerized storage OS directly.
Can a PowerStore 3000X cluster with PowerStore T appliances?
Yes, PowerStore T and PowerStore X appliances can participate in the same multi-appliance management cluster.
Buying or selling PowerStore 3000X?
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 PowerStore 3000X Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27