Introduction
The HP ProLiant DL380 series has been a cornerstone of enterprise data centers for years. The transition from Gen9 to Gen10 brought significant improvements in performance, security, and manageability. This comparison helps you understand the key differences and determine which generation best fits your infrastructure needs.
Architecture and Processor Support
DL380 Gen9
Processor Support
- Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4
- Up to 22 cores per processor
- DDR4 memory support
- Up to 3TB RAM capacity
DL380 Gen10
Processor Support
- Intel Xeon Scalable (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
- Up to 28 cores per processor
- DDR4-2933 memory support
- Up to 3TB RAM capacity
Performance Improvements
Compute Performance
Gen10 delivers up to 27% better performance with Intel Xeon Scalable processors
Memory Bandwidth
Improved memory controllers provide better throughput
I/O Performance
Enhanced PCIe 3.0 implementation and more lanes
Security Enhancements
Silicon Root of Trust
Gen10 introduces hardware-based security features:
Secure Boot
Hardware-verified boot process to prevent malware
Runtime Firmware Verification
Continuous monitoring of firmware integrity
Secure Recovery
Automatic recovery from firmware corruption
Workload Security
Hardware-assisted workload protection
Management and Monitoring
Gen9 Management
- iLO 4 with advanced licensing
- Intelligent Provisioning 3.0
- HPE OneView integration
- Smart Update Tools
Gen10 Management
- iLO 5 with enhanced features
- Intelligent Provisioning 3.2
- HPE OneView for Synergy
- Smart Update Manager
- RESTful API enhancements
Storage and Expansion
| Feature | Gen9 | Gen10 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Bays | Up to 24 SFF or 12 LFF | Up to 30 SFF or 12 LFF |
| Storage Controllers | Smart Array P440ar | Smart Array P408i-a |
| NVMe Support | Limited | Native NVMe support |
| PCIe Slots | Up to 8 slots | Up to 8 slots (PCIe 3.0) |
Power and Efficiency
Power Consumption
Gen10 offers up to 15% better power efficiency
Cooling Requirements
Improved thermal design reduces cooling needs
Performance per Watt
Significant improvement in compute efficiency
Migration Considerations
Hardware Compatibility
Most accessories and components are compatible between generations
Software Support
Both generations support current operating systems and hypervisors
Management Tools
Unified management across both generations with HPE OneView
Recommendation Summary
Choose Gen9 for cost-effective virtualization and general enterprise workloads with proven reliability.
Choose Gen10 for enhanced security requirements, better performance, and future-proofing capabilities.
Both generations offer excellent refurbished value with substantial cost savings over new equipment.
