HP Proliant DL380 G9 VS HPE Proliant DL 380 Gen10 Server: Which One Should You Choose?

HP Proliant DL380 G9 VS HPE Proliant DL 380 Gen10 Server: Which One Should You Choose?

The HPE Proliant DL380 is one of the most popular servers in the world, manufactured by one of the leading brands in the tech industry: Hewlett-Packard (HP.) 

Despite having been around for quite some time, the HP ProLiant DL380 G9 (or Gen9) is still widely used by many individuals and institutions all around the world and is still supported by HP.

However, with the existence of the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 like P23578-B21 - HPE DL360 GEN10 4210R, as its direct update, many customers are often confused about the difference between the two and which of the two server variants they should invest in, and this is where this article comes in.

Here, we will discuss the differences between the HP Proliant DL380 G9 vs. HPE Proliant DL 380 Gen10, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose between the two according to your needs.

HP Proliant DL380 Gen9 vs. HPE Proliant DL 380 Gen10: Key Differences

Being the newer generation, the HPE Proliant DL 380 Gen 10 is typically more expensive than a comparable Gen 9 model, but not by much.

Both models have similar form factors: 2U rack mount chassis; 26.75 in (SFF), 28.75 in (LFF), so they'll need the same space and also have similar portability.

However, there are various differences concerning processor capability, storage space, memory, and so on.

Below we will discuss these differences in detail:

1. Processor capabilities

DL380 Gen10 features newer Intel Xeon processors with a higher maximum number of cores.

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: up to two Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/ E5-2600 v4 series processors, PCIe 3.0, up to 22 cores. 3.5 GHz maximum processor speed, depending on the processor.
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: up to two Intel Xeon 3100/4100/ 5100/6100/8100 series processors, PCIe 3.0, up to 28 cores. 3.6 GHz maximum processor speed, depending on the processor.

2. Processor cache

Similar processor caching functionalities with both models.

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9
    • 8.25 MB L3
    • 11.00 MB L3
    • 13.75 MB L3
    • 16.50 MB L3
    • 19.25 MB L3
    • 22.00 MB L3
    • 24.75 MB L3
    • 27.50 MB L3
    • 30.25 MB L3
    • 33.00 MB L3
    • 35.75 MB L3
    • 38.50 MB L3
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:
    • 8.25 MB L3
    • 11.00 MB L3
    • 13.75 MB L3
    • 16.50 MB L3
    • 19.25 MB L3
    • 22.00 MB L3
    • 24.75 MB L3
    • 27.50 MB L3
    • 30.25 MB L3
    • 33.00 MB L3
    • 35.75 MB L3
    • 38.50 MB L3

3. Memory

Both the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 and Gen10 use the same HPE DDR4 SmartMemory, but the Gen10 supports more channels per CPU and higher memory speed.

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: HPE Smart Memory, 1 to 24 DDR4 DIMMs (Up to 12 per processor), 4 channels per CPU, up to 2400 MHz
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: HPE Smart Memory, 1 to 24 DDR4 DIMMs (Up to 12 per processor), 6 channels per CPU, up to 2666 MHz (1.5TB max)

4. Storage

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: HPE Dynamic Smart Array B140i (standard storage), choices of PE Flexible Smart Array or HPE Smart HBA Controllers:
    • 15 LFF/26 SFF; 6 NVMe drives supported
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: HPE Dynamic smart array S100i (standard), choices of PE Flexible Smart Array or HPE Smart HBA Controllers:
    • 19 LFF/30 SFF; SFF dual flash adapter support (SATA); 20 NVMe drives supported

5. Network Controller

(No difference between the two models.)

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: 4 x 1GbE embedded NIC HPE 1 Gb 331i Ethernet adapter and choice of FlexibleLOM or Standup PCIe cards
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: 4 x 1GbE embedded NIC HPE 1 Gb 331i Ethernet and choice of FlexibleLOM or Standup PCIe cards

6. GPU Support

The Gen10 models support more GPUs (both dual-width and single-width):

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: 2 DW GPUs; 3 SW GPUs
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: 3 DW GPUs; 5 SW GPUs

7. Infrastructure Management

More advanced infrastructure management features with DL380 Gen10:

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9:
    • Standard: HPE iLO 4 Management with Intelligent Provisioning
    • Optional: HPE iLO Advanced and HPE Insight Control
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:
    • Standard: HPE iLO 5 Management with Intelligent Provisioning and HPE OneView (requires download)
    • Optional: HPE iLO Advanced Premium Security Edition and HPE OneView Advanced

8. Power Supply

The two models offer similar power supply:

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: Up to two Flex Slot Titanium (96% eff.) FF power supplies
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:Up 2 Flex Slot Titanium (96% eff.) FF power supplies; No Gen9 PSU support

9. PCIe risers

The HPE ProLiant DL380 G10 models offer more PCIe slots (8 in total) over the Gen9 models (6 in total.)

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: 1 primary riser (3 slots.) A total of 6 PCIe slots are available with optional slots:
    • Secondary riser (3 slots or 2 slots);
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: 1 primary riser (3 slots, with or without 2 x M.2 carts). Total 8 PCIe slots are available with optional slots:
    • Secondary riser (3 slots)
    • Secondary riser (2 GPU slots)
    • Secondary butterfly riser (2 slots and 1 slot)

10. Number of Ports

The HPE DL380 G10 models offer more USB/SD ports and more versatile overall connectivity.

  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9: 3 x USB 3.0, MicroSD, Front VGA Opt, Rear VGA, and serial port option.
  • HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: 3 x USB 3.0, MicroSD, Front iLO service port (USB), front display port option, Rear VGA, and serial port option.

Buying The Right DL380 Server

When choosing between the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 and HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10, it's best to first assess your needs. Then, based on your assessment, list the must-have features you'll need in your infrastructure.

Then, refer to the list of features above. If you'll need more features that are only available with the Gen10, and the price difference is justified, then the DL380 Gen10 server should be the right option; otherwise, you can go with the more affordable Gen9 models.

Here at IT Yuda - a server hardware supplier, we stock a wide range of servers, switches, and wireless solutions ranging from basic, entry-level solutions to the most state-of-the-art products. We offer a wide variety of IT solutions ideal for small and medium business owners. To learn more and request your build, contact us at sales@ityuda.com.

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