Dell PowerVault ME5084

Name: Dell PowerVault ME5084
Brand: Dell

CurrentStorage5U rack

The Dell PowerVault ME5084 is an ultra-dense 5U hybrid storage array that delivers massive data capacity across eighty-four top-loading 3.5-inch drive bays in dual pull-out drawers. Designed for big data repositories, video surveillance recording centers, high-capacity disk-based backup targets, and HPC scratch storage, the ME5084 packs up to 1.68PB of raw storage in 5U. Driven by dual active-active controllers supporting 32Gb FC, 25GbE iSCSI, and 12Gb SAS host connectivity, it balances enormous capacity with high streaming bandwidth. Secondary market buyers should verify drawer latch mechanisms, cable management arms, and dual 2200W power supplies.

Also written as: PowerVault ME5084, Dell ME5084, ME5084 High Density Array

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Specifications

Brand	Dell
Family	PowerVault
Form factor	5U rack
Released	Feb 2022
Cpu platform	Dual active-active controllers, Intel Xeon 8-core processor per controller (16 cores total)
Memory max (GB)	32
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 1.68 PB raw in 5U base enclosure (up to 6.7 PB fully expanded)
Network onboard	4 host ports per controller (8 ports total) supporting 32Gb/16Gb FC, 25GbE/10GbE iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS
Power supply	Dual redundant hot-plug 2200W Platinum power supplies
Power draw	idle 680 W, typical 1250 W, max 2200 W (rack-density.com)

Generations

Previous generation: Dell PowerVault ME4084

Compatible parts

Hard drives

400-AXTV Dell 16TB 7.2K RPM 512e SAS 12Gb/s 3.5-inch Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCQW Dell 18TB 7.2K RPM 512e SAS 12Gb/s 3.5-inch Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCQX Dell 20TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCQY Dell 20TB 7.2K RPM SATA 6Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCQZ Dell 22TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCRA Dell 22TB 7.2K RPM SATA 6Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCRB Dell 24TB 7.2K RPM SAS 12Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hot-Plug Hard Drive
400-BCRC Dell 24TB 7.2K RPM SATA 6Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hot-Plug Hard Drive

Works together

How the Dell PowerVault ME5084 connects to servers, storage and the network: 3 ways, with the parts and products on each path.

Fibre Channel SAN iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet Direct-attached SAS

Fibre Channel SAN

Serverwith an FC HBAFC switchtwo fabrics, A and BStorage arrayFC host ports

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

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-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter

Switches

Lenovo ThinkSystem DB630S 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DB610S 1U rack

Optics

407-BBOG Dell 16Gb Short Wave SFP+ Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
4M27A09984 Lenovo ThinkSystem 32Gb FC SFP+ Optical Transceiver

Fibre Channel SAN: how it fits together

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet

Server10/25/100GbE NICEthernet switchstorage VLAN, two switchesStorage arrayiSCSI or NVMe/TCP ports

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

Adapters for the server

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

Optics

407-BBOU Dell 10GbE SFP+ SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 300m MMF)
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
46C3447 Lenovo ThinkSystem 10Gb SFP+ SR Optical Transceiver

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet: how it fits together

Direct-attached SAS

Serverexternal SAS HBASAS cableMini-SAS HD, no switchArray or JBODSAS host ports or EMM

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

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
4Y37A09724 Lenovo ThinkSystem 440-16e SAS/SATA PCIe Gen4 12Gb HBA

Direct-attached SAS: how it fits together

Plan and size it

Power draw of the Dell PowerVault ME5084: about 1250 W typical and 2200 W at full load, 5U. Measured figures on rack-density.com.

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

Equivalent models from other brands

HPE Msa 2060 Dense
Seagate Exos X 5U84

Buying a used ME5084: what to check

Inspect internal drawer flexible cable management arms for pinching or wear, ensure all 84 drive carriers and interposers are provided, and verify dual 2200W power supplies.

FAQ

How many drives fit in the PowerVault ME5084?

84 top-loading 3.5-inch drives in two pull-out drawers, supporting up to 1.68 PB in 5U.

How many expansion shelves can be added to the ME5084?

Up to three additional ME484 5U 84-drive expansion enclosures for a total of 336 drives (6.7 PB).

Buying or selling ME5084?

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.

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Sources

Dell PowerVault ME5084 Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27