Dell Dell Poweredge Fc640 H730P Mini Blade Server Chassis — Compact Blade Server Housing (Dell)

How Much Does Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P Mini Blade Server Chassis Cost in 2026?

As of July 2026, the Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P Mini Blade Server Chassis typically lists in the $373 range, with no variance between condition tiers due to limited availability. Refurbished units from vendors like Axus Technology and Covalent Materials are the primary sources, with savings of 40–60% compared to new units, which can cost upwards of $750–$900. These savings are particularly valuable in environments where multiple chassis are needed, such as telecom or edge computing setups.

A failed chassis can halt blade server deployment or cause downtime in mission-critical systems, costing upwards of $1,200 per hour in data centers. Units in condition grade B are common in the used market and typically show signs of wear but function reliably. However, it's important to note that units with more than 10,000 operational hours may exhibit increased failure rates, especially in cooling and power distribution components.

Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P Mini Blade Server Chassis Specifications and Compatible Tools

The Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P Mini Blade Server Chassis is a compact, 1U form factor chassis designed to house up to four blade servers. It supports blade models such as the PowerEdge M630 and M640, commonly used in 2018–2020 deployments. The chassis features dual redundant power supplies, a maximum power draw of 650W, and a cooling system with four hot-swappable fans.

Typically, these units have a lifecycle of 8–10 years from initial deployment, with an average of 7,000–9,000 operational hours. It is compatible with Dell’s OpenManage systems for monitoring and management. However, it is not compatible with newer blade models such as the PowerEdge MX750c, which use a different form factor and power architecture.

Failure of the chassis, particularly in the power or cooling subsystems, can lead to blade server overheating and data corruption. In high-availability environments, this can result in $2,000–$5,000 in lost revenue per hour.

What to Check Before Buying a Used Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P Mini Blade Server Chassis in 2026

1. Production Year: Ensure the unit was manufactured between 2018 and 2020. Units older than 2017 may have outdated firmware and reduced component availability.

2. Power Supply Health: Test both power supplies using a Dell PowerEdge Diagnostic Tool. Reject units with output voltages below 11.8V or with a failed redundancy test.

3. Fan and Cooling System: Use a fan speed tester to verify that all four fans operate within 1,200–1,500 RPM. Fans below 1,000 RPM should be replaced before deployment.

4. Blade Compatibility: Confirm the chassis can accept PowerEdge M630 blades. Units that cannot support these blades are not suitable for most current deployments.

5. Firmware and BIOS Version: Check for firmware version 2.1.0 or higher. Units below this version may lack critical security patches and should be rejected.

A poorly tested chassis can lead to blade server failures and data loss, with repair and downtime costs exceeding $3,000 in enterprise environments.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P chassis with newer blade models like the M650?
A: No. The M650 uses a different form factor and power architecture. The FC640 H730P is only compatible with blades like the M630 and M640.

Q: Should I buy a used Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P chassis with over 9,000 operational hours?
A: Avoid units with more than 9,000 hours. These are at higher risk of component failure, especially in the power and cooling systems, and may cost $1,500–$2,000 in repairs.

Q: How long can I expect a used Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P chassis to last in a data center?
A: With proper maintenance, a unit in condition grade B can last 3–5 more years. Beyond that, failure rates rise sharply, and replacement becomes more cost-effective.

Q: What is the difference between the Dell FC640 and the FC630 chassis?
A: The FC640 supports the H730P RAID controller, while the FC630 uses the H710P. The FC640 also has better cooling and power redundancy, making it more suitable for high-density deployments.

Q: Is it worth buying a used Dell PowerEdge FC640 H730P chassis in 2026?
A: Yes, if you can verify the unit is under 9,000 hours and has dual working power supplies. The 40–60% savings over new units make it a cost-effective option for secondary or edge deployments.