Dell PowerVault ME4084
The Dell PowerVault ME4084 is a high-density 5U hybrid storage array built for massive data archive repositories, video surveillance, CCTV storage, and secondary backup retention. Housing eighty-four top-loading 3.5-inch hard drives in dual slide-out drawers within a 5U chassis, the ME4084 provides over 1.3PB of raw storage in a single enclosure. Driven by dual active-active controllers supporting 16Gb FC, 10GbE iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS host connectivity, it provides high streaming write performance for surveillance ingest. Pre-owned system buyers should inspect the internal articulated cable management arms and ensure all 84 drive trays are present.
Also written as: PowerVault ME4084, Dell ME4084, ME4084 Dense Storage
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerVault |
| Form factor | 5U rack |
| Released | Sep 2018 |
| End of sale | Jun 2022 |
| End of support | Aug 2027 |
| Cpu platform | Dual active-active controllers, Intel Broadwell-DE 2-core processor per controller (4 cores total) |
| Memory max (GB) | 16 |
| Drive bays | 84x 3.5-inch SAS/NL-SAS/SSD drives in base array (dual drawer); expands up to 336 drives across expansion shelves |
| Raw capacity | Up to 1.34 PB raw in 5U base enclosure (up to 4.0 PB fully expanded) |
| Network onboard | 4 host ports per controller (8 ports total) supporting 16Gb/8Gb FC, 10GbE/1GbE iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS |
| Power supply | Dual redundant hot-plug 2200W Platinum power supplies |
Generations
- Previous generation: Dell Powervault MD3460
- Next generation: Dell PowerVault ME5084
Compatible parts
Hard drives
400-AXTV Dell 16TB 7.2K RPM 512e SAS 12Gb/s 3.5-inch Hot-Plug Hard Drive
Works together
How the Dell PowerVault ME4084 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 R540 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R640 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R740 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R630 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R730 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge T640 tower
Adapters for the server
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-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Switches
Dell Connectrix DS-6610B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix DS-6620B 1U rack
Dell Connectrix MDS-9148T 1U rack
Dell Connectrix DS-7720B 1U 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.
Servers
- Dell PowerEdge R540 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R640 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R740 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R630 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R730 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge T640 tower
Adapters for the server
405-AANT Dell 12Gbps SAS HBA Dual Port External PCIe Controller
405-AASU Dell HBA355e External SAS 12Gb/s Host Bus Adapter
05-50076-01 Broadcom HBA 9500-16e PCIe 4.0 Tri-Mode 16-Port External Host Bus Adapter
804398-B21 HPE Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 12G SAS External Controller
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 PowerVault ME4084.
- 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 Msa 2050 Dense
- Seagate Exos X 5U84
Buying a used ME4084: what to check
Inspect internal drawer articulated cable management arms for damage, verify all 84 drive carriers and interposers are supplied, and confirm dual 2200W power supplies.
FAQ
How many drives fit in the PowerVault ME4084?
Eighty-four 3.5-inch drives across two pull-out drawers in a 5U chassis.
What host connections are supported on the ME4084?
16Gb FC, 10GbE iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS direct connections.
Buying or selling ME4084?
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 ME4084 Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27