HPE DL380 Specifications: Gen10 Plus vs Gen11 - What's Really Different? Two HPE DL380 servers in a data center aisle highlighting Gen10 Plus and Gen11 models for comparison.


The dl380 specifications reveal a striking 3.37 times higher compute performance for intensive workloads when comparing the Gen11 to its predecessor. We've seen dramatic improvements in server technology between these two generations, with the Gen10 Plus launching in 2020 and the Gen11 arriving just two years later in 2022.
  Looking at the hp proliant dl380 specifications, the differences are substantial. Specifically, the Gen11 supports DDR5 memory at speeds up to 4800 MT/s, while the dl380 gen10 specifications show DDR4 memory maxing out at 3200 MT/s. Additionally, the newer model delivers up to 1.68 times better virtualization performance and supports 2.2 times more OLTP users. The hpe proliant dl380 gen10 server specifications reveal 8 PCIe 4.0 slots, however, the dl380 gen11 technical specifications showcase 8 PCIe 5.0 slots, providing significantly faster data transfer rates. In fact, whether you're upgrading from hp dl380 g9 specifications or considering a newer dl380 server specifications, the generational leap is impressive.

Processor and Memory Upgrades

Comparing processor options between generations reveals substantial improvements in the HP ProLiant DL380 series. The Gen11 model supports 4th and 5th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 64 cores per processor, a remarkable upgrade from the Gen10 Plus which topped out at 40 cores with 3rd Gen Intel Xeon processors. This represents more than double the maximum core count available in the original Gen10, which supported only up to 28 cores with 1st and 2nd Gen Intel Xeon processors.
Furthermore, benchmark testing shows these processor upgrades translate to tangible performance gains. The DL380 Gen11 delivers up to 2.76x higher compute-intensive integer throughput and an impressive 3.37x higher floating-point performance compared to the Gen10 model. For businesses running virtualized environments, this means up to 1.68x better virtualization performance.
Memory architecture has also undergone a complete transformation. While the dl380 gen10 specifications featured DDR4 memory with speeds up to 2933 MT/s and a maximum capacity of 3TB, the dl380 gen11 technical specifications showcase the leap to DDR5 technology running at 4800 MT/s with capacity for up to 8TB. The memory bandwidth increase is particularly noteworthy:
  • Gen10: DDR4 with 24 DIMM slots, up to 2933 MT/s, max 3TB

  • Gen10 Plus: DDR4 with 32 DIMM slots, up to 3200 MT/s, max 8TB

  • Gen11: DDR5 with 32 DIMM slots, up to 4800 MT/s, max 8TB

According to performance testing, these improvements allow the Gen11 server to accommodate up to 2.2x more users for Online Transaction Processing compared to the Gen10. This becomes particularly important for database workloads, as demonstrated by the DL380 Gen11 breaking world records on the TPC-H benchmark at the 10,000GB scale factor, becoming the first server to surpass 2 million QphH.
The processing power boost combined with memory enhancements enables the Gen11 to excel at specialized workloads like AI inferencing. When tested with the ResNet-50 image recognition benchmark at FP32 precision, the DL380 Gen11 processed 2.86 times as many images per second as older server generations, showcasing the practical impact of these specification improvements.

Storage, Expansion, and Connectivity

Storage capabilities represent one of the most substantial upgrades in the dl380 gen11 technical specifications. Moving beyond traditional storage configurations, the Gen11 model supports an extensive range of drive options including up to 24 NVMe or 12 LFF drives, a notable improvement over its predecessors. For high-density applications, the server accommodates up to 20 EDSFF drives plus an additional 8 SFF drives, making it remarkably versatile for data-intensive workloads.
The dl380 specifications reveal impressive maximum capacities across various drive types:
  • SAS SSD: Up to 460.8TB using 24+6 configuration with 15.35TB drives

  • SAS HDD: Up to 288TB with 12+4 LFF configuration using 18TB drives

  • NVMe PCIe SSD: Up to 374.4TB with 24 front drives and 6 rear drives

Moreover, the transition from PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0 marks a pivotal advancement in the hp proliant dl380 specifications. While the Gen10 Plus offered up to 8 PCIe 4.0 slots, the Gen11 delivers up to 8 PCIe 5.0 slots with doubled bandwidth, consequently improving I/O throughput and reducing latency. This upgraded serial expansion bus enables advanced data transfer rates and higher network speeds.
Examining the dl380 server specifications further, the expansion slot architecture has been completely redesigned. The Gen11 features primary and secondary risers each offering three PCIe x16 Gen5 slots, plus an optional tertiary riser with two more Gen5 slots. This configuration supports extensive connectivity options, including OCP 3.0 slots for networking cards ranging from quad Gigabit to dual 100GbE.
Meanwhile, the dl380 gen10 specifications show support for up to 30 SFF or 20 LFF drives including some NVMe options, but with PCIe 4.0 limiting potential throughput. Beyond pure storage, networking capabilities have evolved substantially - the Gen10 supported up to 25GbE connections, yet the Gen11 pushes this boundary to 100GbE, delivering four times the network throughput.
This combination of enhanced storage density, faster PCIe connectivity, and improved networking creates a platform especially suited for data-intensive applications like software-defined storage, video transcoding, and virtualized environments.

Security, Management, and Power Efficiency

Security features stand at the forefront of the dl380 specifications evolution, with the Gen11 building upon HPE's Silicon Root of Trust. Unlike its predecessor, the Gen11 includes TPM 2.0 as standard equipment rather than optional, alongside implementing DMTF's SPDM standards for third-party component verification. Both generations offer UEFI Secure Boot and tamper-free updates, yet the Gen11 enhances protection through platform certificates with iDevID authentication and more robust FIPS 140-2 validation.
Management capabilities have undergone significant transformation, upgrading from HPE iLO 5 in the Gen10 Plus to iLO 6 in the Gen11. Notably, the Gen11's firmware update process operates up to five times faster, substantially reducing downtime across server fleets. Additionally, the dl380 gen11 technical specifications showcase integration with HPE GreenLake for Compute Ops Management, providing unified control across hybrid environments. This cloud-based solution enables real-time monitoring of carbon footprint metrics and automated issue notifications with case creation.
Power efficiency improvements are equally impressive across the dl380 server specifications. Both generations offer multiple power supply options, including 800W, 1600W, and up to 2200W configurations. The Gen11 supports Titanium-rated power supplies with efficiency reaching up to 96%, meeting the European Union's Erp Lot 9 regulations that take effect January 2024. Indeed, the Flex Slot power supplies (part numbers 865438-B21, P03178-B21, and P44712-B21) already satisfy these requirements.
Remote management remains essential in the dl380 specifications, with both generations providing comprehensive options. Nevertheless, iLO 6 brings enhanced multi-factor authentication and security modes. The hpe proliant dl380 gen10 server specifications included iLO 5 with optional HPE OneView integration, whereas the dl380 gen11 technical specifications demonstrate deeper integration with HPE GreenLake, streamlining operations across distributed computing environments.

Conclusion

After examining the specifications closely, we can certainly see why the DL380 Gen11 represents a substantial leap forward rather than a mere incremental update. The 3.37 times higher compute performance stands out as perhaps the most compelling reason for businesses to consider upgrading. Additionally, the shift to DDR5 memory running at 4800 MT/s delivers tangible benefits for memory-intensive applications.
  PCIe 5.0 support undoubtedly transforms what's possible with expansion capabilities, essentially doubling the bandwidth available compared to Gen10 Plus servers. Consequently, organizations running data-intensive workloads will notice significant improvements, especially with the support for up to 24 NVMe drives providing massive storage potential.  
Security enhancements deserve special attention as well. The standard inclusion of TPM 2.0 and implementation of DMTF's SPDM standards show HPE's commitment to hardening their enterprise servers against evolving threats. Similarly, the upgrade from iLO 5 to iLO 6 management brings worthwhile improvements, particularly the five-fold increase in firmware update speed.
  Power efficiency gains might easily be overlooked, though they represent important long-term cost savings. The Titanium-rated power supplies reaching 96% efficiency help reduce operational expenses while meeting upcoming EU regulations.  
Whether you currently run older models like the G9 or are comparing the Gen10 Plus against the Gen11, the specifications tell a clear story - the performance gap justifies serious consideration for an upgrade. Businesses requiring enhanced virtualization capabilities, database performance, or AI workloads will find the Gen11's improvements particularly valuable. The DL380 has long been HPE's bestselling server, and based on these specification improvements, we expect the Gen11 to continue that tradition.