Dell PERC H730 vs H740 — RAID Controller Comparison
The PERC H730 (Gen 12-13 era) and PERC H740 (Gen 14 era) are Dell's mainstream RAID controllers. H740 adds NVMe support and improved cache architecture. Here's the detailed comparison.
Quick Verdict
PERC H740 wins on NVMe support and 2× cache. PERC H730 is fine for SAS/SATA-only deployments and ~$100 cheaper refurbished. Buy H740 for current builds; H730 only if you have abundant existing PERC H730 spares.
Side-by-Side Spec Comparison
| Spec | Dell PERC H730 | Dell PERC H740 |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | Dell PowerEdge 12/13/14 G | Dell PowerEdge 14 G+ |
| Cache | 1 GB DDR3 NV | 8 GB DDR4 NV |
| NVMe Support | No | Yes (via H740P NVMe) |
| Max Drives | 32 | 240 (in expanders) |
| Max RAID Levels | 0/1/5/6/10/50/60 | 0/1/5/6/10/50/60 + advanced |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe Gen3 x8 | PCIe Gen3 x8 |
| Backplane Compatibility | R720, R730, R740 (legacy mode) | R740, R750, R760 |
| Refurbished Price | $80-150 | $200-400 |
Green-highlighted cells indicate the winner for that spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade from PERC H730 to H740?
Yes if your server is R740 or newer — H740 fits the PERC slot. R730 and earlier should stay on H730 (or H730P) since the backplane firmware may not handshake correctly with H740.
Does PERC H730 support NVMe drives?
No — PERC H730 is SAS/SATA only. For NVMe in a R730/R740, you need PERC H740 or H750 (Gen 15 platforms).
What is the difference between PERC H730 and H730P?
Cache size: H730 has 1 GB, H730P has 2 GB. Same firmware features otherwise. H730P is preferred for write-heavy workloads.
Our Recommendation
For new builds and NVMe deployments, PERC H740. For SAS/SATA-only refresh in existing PowerEdge fleets, PERC H730 is fine and saves $100-200 per controller.
Need help deciding?
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with your specific requirements. Our team will match you to the right product based on your workload, budget, and existing infrastructure.