Performance Overview
Scores based on quantifiable specification values (1-10 scale)
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 HPE ProLiant | HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen12 HPE ProLiant |
|---|---|---|
| Key Metrics | ||
| Form Factor | 1U rack-mountable, 2-socket (2P) | 1U rack-mountable, 2-socket (2P) |
| Maximum Cores Per Socket | 64 cores | 144 cores (E-Core) / 86 cores (P-Core) |
| Maximum Memory | 8 TB | 8 TB |
| Maximum Raw Storage | 307.2 TB (20 × 15.36 TB EDSFF NVMe SSD) | -- |
| PCIe Generation | Gen5 (+ 2 OCP 3.0 slots) | Gen5 (Full x4 speed + OCP 3.0) |
| Compute | ||
| Processor | 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable (Sapphire Rapids) or 5th Gen (Emerald Rapids) — up to 64 cores, 5600 MT/s, 385W TDP | Intel Xeon 6 E-Core (up to 144c, 6780E 330W) and P-Core (up to 86c, 6787P 350W) |
| Memory | ||
| Memory | HPE DDR5 SmartMemory RDIMM / 32 DIMM slots (16 per processor, 8 channels per processor) / 8 TB (32 × 256 GB RDIMM) at up to 5600 MT/s (5th Gen); 4800 MT/s (4th Gen) / Advanced ECC, ADDDC, memory mirroring, online spare | HPE DDR5 Smart Memory RDIMM / 32 DIMM slots (16 per processor) / 8 TB (32 × 256 GB RDIMM) at 6400 MT/s (1DPC) / 5200 MT/s (2DPC) |
| Storage | ||
| Storage Options | 8+2 SFF (SAS/SATA/NVMe U.3), 4 LFF (SAS/SATA), 20 EDSFF E3.S NVMe | 4 LFF, 8+2 SFF (TriMode U.3), or 10/20 EDSFF E3.S NVMe |
| RAID Controllers | HPE MR416i-p (8 GB cache), HPE SR932i-p (8 GB wide cache, 32 lanes); Intel VROC | HPE MR408i-p (4 GB cache), MR416i-p (8 GB cache); Intel VROC |
| Networking | ||
| Networking | No embedded NIC; OCP 3.0 or PCIe NIC: 1GbE to 200GbE options | OCP 3.0 or PCIe NIC; front OCP NIC option (post-launch); up to 200GbE |
| Expansion / PCIe | ||
| PCIe Slots | Up to 3 PCIe Gen5 (Slot 1 FH x16, Slot 2 LP x16, optional Slot 3 x16) + 2 OCP 3.0 x16 | Up to 3 PCIe Gen5 (Slot 1 FH x16, Slot 2 LP x16, optional Slot 3 x16) + 2 OCP 3.0 |
| Management | ||
| Management | HPE iLO 6, HPE GreenLake Compute Ops Management (3-yr included) | HPE iLO 7 (Security Enclave, Redfish API), HPE Compute Ops Management |
| Power | ||
| Power Supply | 500W / 800W / 1000W / 1600W / 1800–2200W HPE Flex Slot (Platinum 94% / Titanium 96%) | -- |
| Physical / Environmental | ||
| Cooling | Air (standard/performance fan kits); optional closed-loop liquid cooling; direct liquid cooling | Air (standard/performance), closed-loop liquid cooling (CLLC), direct liquid cooling (DLC) |
| Software & OS Compatibility | ||
| Operating Systems | Windows Server, VMware ESXi, RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu, Oracle Linux | Windows Server, VMware ESXi, RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu, Oracle Linux |
| Warranty & Support | ||
| Warranty | 3/3/3 (3-year parts, 3-year labour, 3-year on-site) | 3/3/3 (3-year parts, 3-year labour, 3-year on-site) |
Expert Analysis
The HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 and Gen12 represent two generations of high-density 1U servers with distinct architectural approaches. The Gen11, based on 4th/5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, offers up to 64 cores per socket with mature platform stability and proven performance characteristics. Its storage configuration flexibility is particularly notable, supporting up to 307.2 TB of raw EDSFF NVMe storage—a significant advantage for storage-intensive workloads. The Gen12 introduces Intel Xeon 6 processors with a hybrid E-Core/P-Core architecture, delivering substantially higher core counts (up to 144 E-cores per socket) and faster memory speeds (up to 6400 MT/s), making it exceptionally well-suited for highly parallelised, scale-out workloads such as cloud-native applications, AI inference, and high-performance computing.
Key trade-offs emerge between platform maturity and cutting-edge capabilities. The Gen11 benefits from established ecosystem support, comprehensive power supply options with high-efficiency ratings, and the robust HPE SR932i-p RAID controller with 32 lanes. The Gen12 counters with next-generation management through iLO 7's Security Enclave for hardware-rooted security, improved thermal management with Smart Chassis configuration, and the potential for front-accessible OCP networking. Value propositions differ significantly: the Gen11 offers excellent total cost of ownership for mixed workloads requiring substantial storage capacity, while the Gen12 provides superior compute density and modern security features for organisations prioritising workload consolidation and future-proof infrastructure.
Specific workload suitability is clear from the specifications. The Gen11's balanced approach with up to 64 high-performance cores, extensive storage options, and mature management makes it ideal for virtualisation platforms, database servers, and traditional enterprise applications where storage capacity and I/O performance are critical. The Gen12's extreme core counts, faster memory, and advanced cooling options position it for modern cloud-native deployments, containerised environments, and computational workloads where thread count and memory bandwidth directly impact performance. Organisations with existing Gen11 deployments may find the Gen12 compelling for workload expansion, while those prioritising maximum storage density within 1U will appreciate the Gen11's configuration flexibility.
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