HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 Upgrade Guide: RAM, Drives and CPU

Updated Oct. 7, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers memory and drive upgrades for the HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 (also written DL360 G11). The short answer: it takes DDR5 registered ECC memory (HPE Smart Memory RDIMMs) in 32 slots, and the drives you can fit depend on which chassis was ordered.

At a glance

  • 32 DDR5 RDIMM slots (16 per processor), up to 256 GB per module and 8 TB in total with two CPUs
  • A single-CPU server has only 16 usable memory slots
  • Memory speed is 4800 MT/s or 5600 MT/s depending on the processor and spec revision
  • Drive bays are fixed by the chassis: 8 SFF (expandable to 8+2), 4 LFF or 20 EDSFF E3.S
  • M.2 is only available through the optional HPE NS204i-u boot device
DDR5 RDIMM slots (16 per processor)32 × DDR5 DIMM · up to 8.192 TB total · 5600 MT/s · registered (RDIMM) · ECC
SFF Basic Carrier bays (U.3 tri-mode)8 × SSD / HDD 2.5" (NVMe / SAS / SATA) · up to 15.36 TB
LFF Low Profile bays (SAS/SATA)4 × HDD / SSD 3.5" (SAS / SATA) · up to 26 TB
32 × DIMM · DDR5up to 8 TB totalSFF Basic Carrier bays (U.3 tri-mode)8 × SSD / HDD 2.5" (NVMe / SAS / SATA) · up to 15.36 TBLFF Low Profile bays (SAS/SATA)4 × HDD / SSD 3.5" (SAS / SATA) · up to 26 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

20232024202520262027TodayRelease · Jan. 10, 2023
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDateSource
Release
First available to buy.		 Jan. 10, 2023 Estimate Estimate
Third-party release date from the eosl.date lifecycle database; HPE does not publish a launch date in these sources.

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: DDR5 RDIMMs, 32 slots

The DL360 Gen11 has 32 DIMM slots: 16 per processor, arranged as 8 channels per processor with 2 DIMMs per channel. It needs registered ECC DDR5 memory. HPE Smart Memory RDIMMs are the supported type, and no SO-DIMM or unbuffered options are listed. Advanced ECC (single-device data correction) is supported.

The largest module listed is 256 GB (quad-rank x4, 3DS RDIMM). Filled with 32 of them, that gives 8 TB, and each processor supports up to 4 TB. Reaching 8 TB therefore needs two CPUs. With one CPU installed, only 16 slots are usable.

On speed, HPE's documents don't fully agree. The newest QuickSpecs list DDR5-4800 and DDR5-5600 (8 TB at 5600 or 4800 MT/s). An older QuickSpecs revision and the user guide show 4800 MT/s as the maximum. The top speed is limited by the processor you have. HPE's product page says the server is built around 4th and 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. The 5600 option is probably tied to the 5th Gen chips, but HPE's documents don't say so explicitly.

Buying tips

  • Buy HPE DDR5 Smart Memory RDIMMs. HPE says Smart Memory is needed to get the listed performance.
  • Standalone memory uses -B21 part numbers; -F21 numbers are for factory-installed memory, so check you are not ordering the wrong kind.
  • Don't pay extra for 5600 MT/s modules until you have checked that your CPU supports that speed.
  • Count your processors first: one CPU means 16 usable slots, not 32.
  • Check the latest QuickSpecs revision, because capacities and speeds differ between versions.

Storage: your chassis decides what fits

The DL360 Gen11 is sold with one of three bay layouts, chosen at order time. You can't convert one into another by adding drives.

8 SFF (2.5 inch) Basic Carrier bays use U.3 tri-mode connections, so they take NVMe, SAS or SATA drives. The bays are PCIe 4.0 rated, and the chassis can be expanded by 2 more bays (8+2). The largest drives listed are 15.36 TB SAS or NVMe SSDs, 7.68 TB SATA SSDs and 2.4 TB SAS hard drives.

4 LFF (3.5 inch) Low Profile bays take SAS or SATA drives and can't be converted to SFF or EDSFF. The newest QuickSpecs list hard drives up to 26 TB, while an older revision says 20 TB. LFF SSDs are listed up to 960 GB.

The third layout is 20 EDSFF E3.S bays (NVMe, PCIe 5.0 x4). The newest QuickSpecs list drives up to 61.44 TB each, while the older revision lists 15.36 TB.

There is no M.2 slot on the motherboard. M.2 is only available through the optional HPE NS204i-u (or NS204i-u v2) boot device, which holds two hot-plug 2280 (22 x 80 mm) M.2 NVMe SSDs in hardware RAID 1. Capacity is 2 x 960 GB in the newest QuickSpecs and 2 x 480 GB in the older one. HPE's documents we reviewed don't state its PCIe generation, and don't give drive thickness limits for the front bays.

Buying tips

  • Confirm which bay layout your server has (SFF, LFF or EDSFF) before shopping.
  • Buy drives from HPE's listed options for your bay type; the listed families include Gen4 U.3 read-intensive SSDs and Gen5 E3.S SSDs.
  • Don't expect to add M.2 drives yourself unless the NS204i-u boot device is already fitted.
  • Choose the interface your controller setup supports: NVMe, SAS or SATA all work in U.3 bays, but LFF bays are SAS/SATA only.
  • Check the newest QuickSpecs for maximum sizes, because older revisions list smaller drives.

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Find your exact configuration: number of CPUs, installed memory, and bay layout (SFF, LFF or EDSFF).
  • Download the latest QuickSpecs and the owner's or service manual for the DL360 Gen11.
  • Back up your data and note your RAID and BIOS settings.
  • Check HPE for firmware and BIOS updates before adding new parts.
  • Have an anti-static wrist strap and a clean work surface ready.

Steps

  1. Back up and shut down
    Back up important data, then shut the server down properly from the operating system.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Disconnect all power cords and any cables. Move the server to a safe work area if it is in a rack.
  3. Ground yourself
    Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling memory, drives or other parts.
  4. Open the case
    Follow the owner's manual for exact instructions on removing the access panel or the drive bay hardware.
  5. Install the part
    For memory, use the DIMM slots in the order shown in the manual; DIMMs are numbered 1 to 16 per processor. For drives, fit the drive in a carrier suited to your bay type. Don't force parts into place.
  6. Close up and reconnect
    Replace the panel, reconnect the cables and power, and return the server to the rack if needed.
  7. Check that it is detected
    Power on and check that the BIOS or firmware lists the new memory or drive. Update the firmware if the part isn't recognized.

Good to know

  • HPE's QuickSpecs revisions disagree on maximum memory speed (4800 vs 5600 MT/s) and on maximum drive sizes, so check the latest version.
  • The documents we reviewed don't say which CPUs support 5600 MT/s memory.
  • The PCIe generation of the NS204i-u M.2 boot device and drive thickness limits for the bays aren't stated.
  • A secondary PCIe riser requires two processors. Choosing the NS204i-u Rear Cable Kit reduces how many PCIe cards fit, and with a secondary full-height riser, primary slot 2 is unavailable.
  • We don't have a socket type or a CPU compatibility list for this server, so we can't give CPU upgrade advice beyond the supported processor generations.
  • This guide is a general outline. Follow HPE's owner's or service manual for exact disassembly and DIMM population order.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 take?

Up to 8 TB: 32 slots filled with 256 GB DDR5 RDIMMs. That requires two processors. With one CPU only 16 slots work, so the maximum is half, 4 TB.

What type of memory does the DL360 Gen11 use?

HPE DDR5 Smart Memory registered ECC DIMMs (RDIMMs). No SO-DIMM or unbuffered options are listed.

How fast is the memory?

HPE's newest QuickSpecs list 4800 and 5600 MT/s, while an older revision and the user guide show 4800 MT/s. The speed you get depends on your processor.

Can I add an M.2 SSD to the DL360 Gen11?

Not directly. There is no M.2 slot on the motherboard. M.2 is only offered through the optional HPE NS204i-u boot device, which holds two 2280 NVMe drives.

Can I swap 3.5 inch bays for 2.5 inch bays?

No. The LFF chassis is a separate build and can't be converted to SFF or EDSFF. The SFF chassis can be expanded from 8 to 8+2 bays.

Can I upgrade the CPU?

HPE says the server is built around 4th and 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. HPE's documents we reviewed don't give a socket type or a list of compatible upgrades, so check the latest QuickSpecs before buying a CPU. Remember that a second CPU is needed for all 32 memory slots and for a secondary PCIe riser.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.