Dell PowerVault MD3260
The Dell PowerVault MD3260 was Dell's pioneering 4U dense direct-attached storage array, featuring 60 hot-swappable drive bays in two pull-out drawers and dual 6Gb SAS controllers. Built for high-capacity backup pools, seismic data collection, and direct server attached computing, the MD3260 set the standard for high-density physical packaging in PowerVault storage.
Also written as: PowerVault MD3260, Dell MD3260, MD3260 Dense 4U 6Gb SAS
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerVault MD |
| Form factor | 4U rack |
| Released | Sep 2012 |
| End of sale | Jan 2016 |
| End of support | Jan 2021 |
| Controller type | Dual active-active 6Gb SAS RAID controllers, 2GB or 4GB cache per controller |
| Drive bays | 60x 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SAS/NL-SAS/SSD drives in two 30-slot drawers in 4U |
| Raw capacity | Up to 240TB raw storage in base enclosure (with 4TB drives); expands to 180 drives |
| Host interface | 4x 6Gb/s mini-SAS (SFF-8088) ports per controller (8 ports total) |
| Power supply | Dual redundant hot-plug 1755W power supply modules |
Generations
- Next generation: Dell PowerVault MD3460
Compatible parts
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Drive caddies
X7K8W Dell 3.5-inch Gen14/Gen15/Gen16 Hot-Plug Drive Caddy Tray (LFF)
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
Transceivers
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
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 PowerVault MD3260.
- 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 PowerVault MD3260: what to check
Verify internal drawer flexible cable harnesses are intact, test 6Gb SFF-8088 mini-SAS host connections, inspect RAID battery modules, and test high-wattage 1755W power modules.
FAQ
What host cables are required to connect to the MD3260?
It uses standard SFF-8088 6Gb mini-SAS cables to connect to Dell 6Gb SAS HBAs (such as the 6Gbps SAS HBA or PERC H800/H810).
Can the MD3260 expand with 12Gb enclosures?
The MD3260 connects to MD3060e expansion enclosures using appropriate SAS interlink cables.
Buying or selling PowerVault MD3260?
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 PowerVault MD3260 Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27