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Dell SC Series vs IBM System Storage DS8000 Series comparison

Dell Technologies and IBM are both solutions in the Frame-Based Disk Arrays category. Dell Technologies is ranked #2 with an average rating of 9.0, while IBM is ranked #3. Dell Technologies holds a 6.7% mindshare in FBDA, compared to IBM’s 33.5% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of IBM users who would recommend it.
Dell SC Series
Read 55 Dell SC Series reviews
  • 1,104 Views
  • 66 Comparison Views
94% willing to recommend
IBM System Storage DS8000 S...
Read 6 IBM System Storage DS8000 Series reviews
  • 248 Views
  • 223 Comparison Views
85% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Dell SC Series and IBM System Storage DS8000 Series based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Frame-Based Disk Arrays solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

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To learn more, read our detailed Dell SC Series vs. IBM System Storage DS8000 Series Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Dell SC Series vs. IBM System Storage DS8000 Series
July 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Dell SC Series
Ranking in Frame-Based Disk Arrays
2nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
55
Ranking in other categories
All-Flash Storage (17th)
IBM System Storage DS8000 S...
Ranking in Frame-Based Disk Arrays
3rd
Average Rating
9.4
Number of Reviews
6
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Frame-Based Disk Arrays category, the mindshare of Dell SC Series is 6.7%, down from 15.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM System Storage DS8000 Series is 33.5%, up from 27.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Frame-Based Disk Arrays
 

Featured Reviews

RafaelGamaluis - PeerSpot reviewer
User interface offers clarity and detailed information while technical support consistently delivers
The best features of Dell SC Series are stability and replication. The replication solution is excellent, and they have a solution named Live Migration. It is a robust platform. The interface and the GUI (graphical user interface) for administrating the Compellent are exceptional, with abundant information that is very clear. The management capabilities are excellent, and the stability of our storage hardware is remarkable.
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reviewer1392684 - PeerSpot reviewer
Great Global Copy and Global Mirror features with an easy initial setup
We're just a customer. We don't have a business relationship with the company. I'm an outsourcing service provider and I've had a lot of experience using the solution. We have everything from DS8100 disc storage, all the way up to 8990s. I'd advise new users to read the implementation installation guide. Most of the questions are answered in there. People just tend to skim over it and don't get into the details. However, it's important in making everything run smoothly and understanding the solution. That's probably the best advice I've actually heard from anybody. At the end of the day, don't be someone who skips the instructions, and all of a sudden you have a pile of parts. I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.
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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The Dell support is helpful and the response is quick. The agents' knowledge is very good."
"The setup and installation is much simpler now, because Dell has standardized the configure process."
"Its feature set is superior to some of the other platforms."
"Connecting it up, you can run it within a few hours."
"This solution is easy to use."
"I can mix and match the drives, using older mechanical devices and the latest SFP drives in a single solution with different enclosures."
"The process of reallocating data from fast disks (SSD or SAS) to slow disks (SATA) gives you better performance and better use of resources."
"Dell SC Series' most valuable features are performance and network facilities. We have no issues with its integration. The tool helps to visualize servers."
More Dell SC Series pros
"The Global Copy and Global Mirror features are the solution's most valuable aspects."
"The high throughput feature is the most powerful thing in this product."
 

Cons

"Dell could improve the upgrading process."
"The initial setup is somewhat complex and should be made simpler to do."
"The ease of use could be improved. It took me a while to learn it."
"I would like to see higher compression, dedupe, faster I/O, and bigger drives."
"It would be helpful if the solution offered higher performance, at least on the back end."
"One option I would like to see is, when you're up on the view-screen, to be able to incorporate getting to what HPE call the iLO, the Integrated Lights-Out. To be able to get that instead of having to go back and trying to find IP addresses and re-institute those would be good. It would be good to be able to that put on the initial splash screen."
"In terms of additional features, I would like to see some kind of I/O meter, to indicate what we are using in terms of performance. I would like to see automation with that, where it would give me the trends. I want to know those things easily, to help me know where issues are going to occur."
"This product should be a lot more user-friendly."
More Dell SC Series cons
"The solution should embedded replication switches into the hardware instead of using them externally."
"The GUI isn't as user-friendly as other options."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Always keep in mind, this is not just a enclosure with disks is a complete SAN as a service. There is software, license, and storage in one single solution."
"It is one of the most cost effective systems for us. We have been able to run it longer than most, getting the most benefit and money out of it."
"Support typically depends on the array. It can range anywhere from $7,000 to a couple of hundred thousand dollars."
"Compared to other solutions out there, it's affordable."
"We were able to afford two tiers of flash storage at a price where the competition was giving us one tier or just a handful of discs."
"The pricing is reasonable, but it is expensive."
"The scalability seems a bit more expensive than even buying a brand new one so far. That has been kind of a drawback."
"It has a good price point and offers some value-added enterprise features."
More Dell SC Series pricing and cost advice
"The license is very expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
21%
Financial Services Firm
9%
University
8%
Government
6%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Dell SC Series?
I find this version to be more budget-friendly compared to products from other vendors. This aspect greatly benefits my customers. It's highly advantageous due to its affordability. The operational...
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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell SC Series?
Cost considerations are crucial when choosing between solutions like Dell and NetApp. Sometimes Dell offers better performance for less money. That said, the costs can vary.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Dell SC Series?
In the future, I want any box that comes on-premises to have the provision to integrate with cloud storage. If I want a second copy or need to replicate data from on-premises to the cloud, this pro...
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Dell Unity XT vs Dell SC Series
Compared 11% of the time
IBM FlashSystem vs Dell SC Series Logo
IBM FlashSystem vs Dell SC Series
Compared 10% of the time
NetApp AFF vs Dell SC Series Logo
NetApp AFF vs Dell SC Series
Compared 7% of the time
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Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform vs IBM System Storage DS8000 Series
Compared 100% of the time
More IBM System Storage DS8000 Series Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Dell SC Series
July 2025
Dell SC Series reportDownload Dell SC Series product report
Buyer's Guide
IBM System Storage DS8000 Series
July 2025
IBM System Storage DS8000 Series reportDownload IBM System Storage DS8000 Series product report
 

Also Known As

SC Series Storage, Compellent
System Storage DS8000
 

Overview

Dell EMC SC Series arrays provide a unified platform for the ultimate in performance, adaptability and machine-driven efficiency. SC Series software delivers modern features that help you meet aggressive workload demands using the fewest drives necessary. With an open, future-ready design, SC Series storage integrates seamlessly with applications and infrastructure, enabling you to scale on a single platform and add capabilities without forklift upgrades.

Dell Technologies
IBM System Storage DS8000 series is a high-performance, high-capacity series of disk storage that supports continuous operations. The DS8000 series includes the DS8800 (Models 951 and 95E) and the DS8700 (Models 941 and 94E).
IBM
 

Sample Customers

TGen, Frost Science, Gerrie Electric
Renfe, Park Nicollet Health Services, Ricoh Americas Corporation, SK Energy, SWK STADTWERKE KREFELD AG
Buyer's Guide
Dell SC Series vs. IBM System Storage DS8000 Series
July 2025
Free Report: Dell SC Series vs. IBM System Storage DS8000 Series
Find out what your peers are saying about Dell SC Series vs. IBM System Storage DS8000 Series and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
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We monitor all Frame-Based Disk Arrays reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.