Dell PowerStore 3200Q
The Dell PowerStore 3200Q is a capacity-optimized 2U all-flash storage array configured with dual active-active controllers and high-density NVMe QLC SSDs. Designed for large consolidation projects and unstructured file or block repositories, the 3200Q integrates hardware-assisted inline deduplication and compression to maximize raw flash efficiency without throttling sustained I/O throughput. The system scales compute and capacity independently via scale-up expansion shelves or scale-out clustering across multiple PowerStore appliances.
Also written as: PowerStore 3200Q, Dell EMC PowerStore 3200Q, PowerStore 3200 QLC
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerStore |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Released | May 2024 |
| Cpu platform | Dual active-active storage nodes, Intel Xeon Gold 6248R (24 cores per node, 48 cores per appliance) |
| Memory max (GB) | 768 |
| Drive bays | Up to 25x 2.5-inch NVMe QLC SSDs in base enclosure; expands up to 96 NVMe drives across expansion shelves |
| Raw capacity | Up to 4.3 PB effective capacity per appliance utilizing 15.36TB QLC NVMe drives |
| Network onboard | 4-port 25GbE Mezzanine card; 2x I/O module slots per node supporting 32Gb FC, 25GbE iSCSI, or NVMe/TCP |
| Power supply | Dual redundant hot-plug 1800W Platinum power supplies |
Generations
- Previous 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 3200Q 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 R HS7710 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R260 1U rack (short-depth)
Dell PowerEdge R670 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6715 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6725 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R770 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 DS-7730B 2U switch
Dell Connectrix DS-7720B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix MP-7850B 1U switch
Dell Connectrix ED-DCX7-8B 14U director chassis
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 R HS7710 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R670 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R6715 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R6725 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R770 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R7715 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 3200Q.
- 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 3200Q: what to check
Verify battery backup units on both controller nodes, confirm that QLC drive wear endurance percentages are healthy via PowerStoreOS telemetry, and ensure standard 25GbE optical transceivers are installed.
FAQ
Can TLC and QLC drives be mixed within the same PowerStore 3200Q array?
No, PowerStore 3200Q arrays require homogeneous QLC drive configurations within the base drive enclosure.
What host protocols are natively supported on the 3200Q?
The 3200Q supports 32Gb/16Gb Fibre Channel, NVMe over FC, 25GbE/10GbE iSCSI, NVMe over TCP, NFS, and SMB.
Buying or selling PowerStore 3200Q?
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 3200Q Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27