Overview
The HPE ProLiant DL360 and DL380 Gen10 are HPE's flagship rack servers, representing the 1U and 2U form factors respectively. Both share the same Gen10 architecture but cater to different deployment scenarios.
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HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10: A high-density 1U server optimized for compute-intensive workloads where rack space is at a premium. Supports dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors in a compact chassis.
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HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: HPE's most popular 2U server, offering the ideal balance of compute, storage, and expansion capabilities. The workhorse of enterprise data centers worldwide.
Both servers feature HPE's Silicon Root of Trust security, iLO 5 management, and support for Intel Xeon Scalable processors.
Specifications Comparison
| Parameter | HPE DL360 Gen10 | HPE DL380 Gen10 | |--------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------| | Form Factor | 1U Rack | 2U Rack | | CPU Support | Up to 2x Intel Xeon Scalable | Up to 2x Intel Xeon Scalable | | Max Memory | 3TB (24 DIMMs) | 3TB (24 DIMMs) | | Drive Bays | Up to 10x SFF or 4x LFF | Up to 24x SFF or 12x LFF | | PCIe Slots | Up to 3x (1 FHFL) | Up to 8x (3 FHFL) | | Power Supplies | Dual 500W-800W | Dual 500W-1600W | | GPU Support | Limited (1 single-width) | Up to 3 double-width GPUs | | Typical Use | Web, virtualization, HPC | Database, storage, general |
Used Market Pricing
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HPE DL360 Gen10: Typically priced between $2,000–$4,500 depending on CPU configuration and drive bay configuration. 8SFF and 10SFF variants are most common.
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HPE DL380 Gen10: Ranges from $3,500–$7,000, with NVMe and GPU-optimized variants commanding premiums.
Price Influencers:
- CPU Configuration: High-core-count CPUs significantly increase value.
- Drive Backplane: NVMe backplanes add $400-600 to server value.
- FlexibleLOM: Advanced networking mezzanine cards add $200-400.
- iLO License: iLO Advanced licenses add value for remote management.
When to Choose Each
HPE DL360 Gen10
- Compute Density: Maximum compute per rack unit for HPC and web serving.
- Space Constraints: Limited rack space requiring efficient density.
- Power Efficiency: Lower power consumption than 2U alternatives.
- Cost Optimization: Lower cost per server for scale-out deployments.
HPE DL380 Gen10
- Storage Requirements: More drive bays for storage-heavy workloads.
- Expansion Needs: Additional PCIe slots for NICs, HBAs, and accelerators.
- GPU Workloads: Support for multiple GPUs for AI/ML inference.
- Balanced Workloads: Ideal for general-purpose virtualization and databases.
Secondary Market Availability
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HPE DL360 Gen10: High availability from cloud and enterprise decommissioning. Both 8SFF and 10SFF variants readily available.
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HPE DL380 Gen10: Very high availability as HPE's most popular server. Multiple configurations (8SFF, 16SFF, 24SFF, LFF) available.
Sourcing Challenges:
- Rails: Verify rail kits are included or budget separately.
- Drive Caddies: Often missing; budget $15-25 per caddy.
- Heatsinks: High-TDP CPUs require specific heatsinks.
- Firmware: Ensure iLO and system ROM are at compatible versions.
Verdict
The HPE DL380 Gen10 is the versatile choice for most enterprise workloads, offering the ideal balance of storage, expansion, and compute. Its 2U form factor accommodates the broadest range of use cases.
The HPE DL360 Gen10 excels in density-optimized deployments where rack space is the primary constraint. Its 1U design maximizes compute per square foot.
Recommendation:
- DL360: Deploy for HPC, web serving, and space-constrained environments.
- DL380: Choose as the default enterprise server for general-purpose workloads.
Many organizations standardize on the DL380 for flexibility while deploying DL360s for specific high-density requirements.