HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Upgrade Guide: RAM and Storage

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. Supported until March 31, 2028 (estimate).

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

RAM: what fits and the limits

The server has 24 DIMM slots, and nothing is soldered. Twelve slots belong to each processor (6 channels per CPU, 2 DIMMs per channel). It uses HPE DDR4 Smart Memory in registered ECC form: either RDIMM or LRDIMM. The two types cannot be mixed. RDIMMs go up to 64 GB per module (about 1.54 TB across all 24 slots), and LRDIMMs go up to 128 GB per module (3.0 TB total).

Speed depends on the processor. The top speed of 2933 MT/s needs 2nd-gen Xeon Scalable CPUs. Older HPE paperwork lists 128 GB LRDIMMs at 2666 MT/s, and the user guide shows slower tiers starting at 2133 and 2400 MT/s. The exact speed for each CPU and DIMMs-per-channel combination isn't covered here, so check HPE's memory population rules before you buy a full set.

The CPU also caps how much memory it can address. 2nd-gen processors with M or L in the name support 2 TB or 4.5 TB per CPU, and 1st-gen M processors support 1.5 TB per CPU. The 3.0 TB headline figure needs CPUs that allow it. Because 12 slots belong to each CPU, you will probably need a second CPU to use all 24 slots, though HPE's documents we reviewed don't say so outright.

Intel Optane Persistent Memory works only with select 2nd-gen Xeon Scalable CPUs (82xx, 62xx, 52xx, 4215R, 4215) and can only be mixed with RDIMMs or LRDIMMs. HPE NVDIMMs work only with 1st-gen Xeon Scalable CPUs and can only be mixed with RDIMMs. Both have their own population rules.

Buying tips

• Buy HPE Smart Memory RDIMMs or LRDIMMs, and keep to one type across the whole server.
• Check which CPU generation you have before paying for 2933 MT/s modules.
• Don't buy unbuffered (UDIMM) memory. One part-number decoder in the user guide mentions it, but HPE's QuickSpecs list only RDIMM and LRDIMM, so treat UDIMM as unsupported unless HPE confirms otherwise.
• Add modules in matched sets, and fit them in the slots for the CPU that is installed.

Storage: bays, NVMe and M.2

The number of front bays depends on the chassis variant. Large-form-factor (3.5 inch) models have 8 or 12 SAS/SATA bays. Small-form-factor (2.5 inch) models have 8, 10, 16, 18 or 24 SAS/SATA bays. Check your exact SKU before ordering drives, because a drive that fits one chassis may have no bay in another. Optional extras add more room: a mid-tray and a rear LFF cage for 3.5 inch drives, or a rear cage that adds 6 more 2.5 inch bays. HPE's documents don't state drive thickness limits, so confirm a drive is supported before buying.

For NVMe, an optional Express Bay backplane supports up to 20 2.5 inch NVMe drives. It needs the correct backplane and cabling, and it limits the maximum drive capacity. The expansion slots on the risers are all PCIe 3.0.

Two M.2 SATA drives can be fitted on the optional primary riser. These are SATA, not NVMe. The documents we reviewed don't state the M.2 length, so check HPE's supported drive list rather than assuming 2280. RAID 1 across the pair needs the HPE FIO Enable Smart Array SW RAID option (784308-B21).

HPE's maximum capacities, such as 459 TB of SAS SSD (24+6 drives of 15.3 TB) or 307.2 TB of NVMe (20 drives of 15.36 TB), all assume optional cages, a mid-tray or the Express Bay.

Buying tips

• Count your front bays and note whether they are 3.5 or 2.5 inch before choosing a drive.
• For NVMe, confirm you have the Express Bay backplane and cabling first; ordinary SAS/SATA bays won't run NVMe.
• For a mirrored M.2 boot pair, plan for the 784308-B21 RAID option.
• Confirm any drive against HPE's supported list, since thickness and M.2 length limits aren't published in the documents we found.

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Find your exact SKU and note the chassis variant, CPU model and CPU count.
• Back up your data and configuration.
• Check the QuickSpecs and the user guide for the memory population rules and supported drives that apply to your configuration.
• Get an anti-static wrist strap and the tools listed in the owner's manual.

Steps

1. Back up
   Back up important data and note your RAID and BIOS settings.
2. Power off and unplug
   Shut the server down properly, then disconnect all power cords and cables.
3. Ground yourself
   Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold DIMMs and drives by their edges.
4. Open the server
   Follow the owner's manual for the exact steps to release and remove the access panel or any airflow parts in the way.
5. Install the part
   For memory, fit matching modules in the correct slots for each CPU, following HPE's population rules. For drives, use the supported bay or the riser M.2 slot, and use the correct backplane and cabling for NVMe. The owner's manual shows exact seating and release steps.
6. Close and reconnect
   Refit any parts you removed, close the case, then reconnect cables and power.
7. Check that it is recognised
   Power on and check that the system firmware or BIOS shows the new memory total or drive. Set up RAID if needed, and check for any warnings.

Good to know

• This guide covers memory and storage only. For a CPU upgrade, check HPE's QuickSpecs for supported processors, and remember that CPU choice affects memory speed and maximum capacity.
• HPE's memory speed tables by CPU and DIMMs per channel aren't covered here; check HPE's population rules before buying.
• M.2 length and drive thickness limits aren't confirmed in the documents we reviewed.
• Some HPE documents mention unbuffered ECC memory, but the QuickSpecs list only RDIMM and LRDIMM, so we treat UDIMM as unsupported.
• HPE's QuickSpecs for this model is marked retired. Third-party sources give an end-of-sale date of 31 March 2025 and end of standard support around March 2028, but we found no confirmation from HPE.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 take?

Up to 3.0 TB using 24 x 128 GB LRDIMMs, as long as your CPUs allow that much memory. With RDIMMs the limit is about 1.54 TB (24 x 64 GB). You will probably need two CPUs to use all 24 slots.

What type of memory does the DL380 Gen10 use?

HPE DDR4 Smart Memory in registered ECC form, either RDIMM or LRDIMM. You can't mix the two types.

How fast is the memory?

Up to 2933 MT/s with 2nd-gen Xeon Scalable CPUs. Older documents list 2666 MT/s for 128 GB LRDIMMs. Actual speed depends on the CPU and how many DIMMs per channel you fit.

Does the DL380 Gen10 support NVMe drives?

Yes, through the optional NVMe Express Bay backplane, which supports up to 20 2.5 inch NVMe drives. It needs the correct backplane and cabling, and it limits the maximum drive capacity.

Can I fit M.2 drives?

Two M.2 SATA drives fit on the optional primary riser. They are SATA, not NVMe. RAID 1 needs the HPE FIO Enable Smart Array SW RAID option (784308-B21). M.2 length isn't confirmed, so check HPE's supported drive list.

How many drive bays does it have?

It depends on the SKU: 8 or 12 3.5 inch bays, or 8, 10, 16, 18 or 24 2.5 inch bays. A rear cage can add 6 more 2.5 inch bays, and a mid-tray and rear LFF cage add more 3.5 inch bays.

Official documents and references

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 QuickSpecs
  Memory types, maximum capacities and options
• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 QuickSpecs (hpe.com)
  DIMM slot layout and specifications
• PDF HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 datasheet
  Drive bay options, M.2 and NVMe overview
• PDF HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 user guide
  Disassembly and installation instructions
• PDF HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 QuickSpecs (copy)
  CPU-dependent memory limits and speeds