HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen11 Upgrade Guide: RAM and Storage

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers adding memory and drives to the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen11. The short answer: it takes HPE DDR5 RDIMMs only, up to 6 TB with two CPUs, and has 12 LFF or 24 SFF front bays that can grow with optional cages.

At a glance

  • Memory is DDR5 registered ECC (RDIMM) only: 24 slots with two CPUs, 12 with one.
  • Up to 256 GB per module and 6 TB (6,144 GB) in total with two CPUs.
  • Speed is 4800 MT/s on 4th Gen EPYC and 6400 MT/s on 5th Gen EPYC, though one document says 6000.
  • Front bays: 12 LFF 3.5 inch (SATA/SAS) or 24 SFF 2.5 inch (SATA/SAS/NVMe); optional cages raise the totals to 20 and 34.
  • There is no general-purpose M.2 slot; the optional NS204i-u boot device is a special case.
DDR5 RDIMM slots (12 per CPU)24 × DDR5 DIMM · up to 6.144 TB total · 6400 MT/s · registered (RDIMM) · ECC
LFF 3.5" front/mid/rear drive bays12 × HDD / SSD 3.5" (SATA / SAS)
SFF 2.5" front/mid/rear drive bays24 × HDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA / SAS / NVMe)
24 × DIMM · DDR5up to 6 TB totalLFF 3.5" front/mid/rear drive bays12 × HDD / SSD 3.5" (SATA / SAS)SFF 2.5" front/mid/rear drive bays24 × HDD / SSD 2.5" (SATA / SAS / NVMe)
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.

20232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Jan. 10, 2023
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Jan. 10, 2023 Estimate Third-party eosl.date lists Jan. 10, 2023 for this model; it does not say whether this is an announcement or availability date, and no HPE source confirms it.
Source ↗

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

Memory (RAM): DDR5 RDIMM only

The DL385 Gen11 has 24 DIMM slots when two processors are fitted: 12 per CPU, one DIMM per channel. A one-CPU server has only that CPU's 12 slots, so a single-CPU machine cannot reach the full 24-slot capacity.

Only full-size HPE DDR5 registered DIMMs with ECC (RDIMM) are supported. UDIMM, LRDIMM and Persistent Memory are not supported, even though the user guide's part-number decoder lists a UDIMM code; that is generic naming. The maximum is 256 GB per module and 6 TB (24 x 256 GB, or 6,144 GB) per server with two CPUs. No soldered user memory is described.

Speed depends on the CPU. HPE lists 4800 MT/s at one DIMM per channel on 4th Gen AMD EPYC and 6400 MT/s on 5th Gen EPYC. One copy of the QuickSpecs says 6000 MT/s for 5th Gen and an older revision lists only 4800 MT/s. HPE's current product page says 6400, so treat that as the current figure, but check the documents for your exact unit. The 128 GB and 256 GB modules use different CAS timings (50-42-42) from smaller modules. Maximum capacity and speed depend on memory type, configuration and processor model, so check HPE's memory population rules before you order.

Buying tips

  • Buy HPE-qualified DDR5 RDIMMs only; skip UDIMM, LRDIMM and Persistent Memory.
  • Count your CPUs first: one CPU means 12 slots, two means 24.
  • Check whether you have a 4th Gen or 5th Gen EPYC, since it sets the top memory speed.
  • Fit matching modules and follow HPE's memory population rules.

Storage: drive bays and the boot device

The front of the server has either 12 LFF 3.5 inch bays (SATA or SAS) or 24 SFF 2.5 inch bays (SATA, SAS or NVMe). An optional mid-tray 4LFF cage and rear 4LFF cage bring an LFF server to 20 bays. On an SFF server, an optional mid-tray 8-bay cage and rear 2-bay cage bring the total to 34. These cages need specific riser kits, and a base unit has fewer bays than these maximums, so confirm the bay count of your exact chassis.

For reference, HPE's listed maximums include 20 TB LFF hard drives, 7.68 TB SATA/SAS SSDs and 15.36 TB SFF NVMe SSDs. Newer configurations also offer a 36-bay E3.S EDSFF NVMe option; it appears only in the newer QuickSpecs, so don't assume an older server supports it. Drive thickness limits and the PCIe generation of the NVMe bays aren't stated in the documents we have, so check the user guide before buying NVMe drives.

There is no general-purpose M.2 slot. HPE offers an optional NS204i-u boot device with two 480 GB M.2 NVMe SSDs in RAID 1. It is not a PCIe card, but it can be installed in one of three locations and in some cases reduces the available PCIe slots. Its M.2 length isn't stated, so don't plan to fit your own M.2 drives.

Buying tips

  • Match the drive size to your chassis: 3.5 inch for LFF, 2.5 inch for SFF.
  • Check the interface (SATA, SAS or NVMe) against what your bays and controller support.
  • Only SFF bays are listed as NVMe-capable; confirm the NVMe generation before ordering.
  • If you need extra bays, check which riser kits the cages require.
  • Treat the NS204i-u as a boot device, not as extra storage.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Find your exact configuration: number of CPUs, 4th or 5th Gen EPYC, LFF or SFF chassis, and which optional cages are fitted.
  • Have the HPE user guide for your server to hand for exact disassembly and population steps.
  • Back up important data and note your current RAID and boot settings.
  • Prepare an anti-static wrist strap and a clean work surface.

Steps

  1. Back up and plan
    Back up your data and confirm the part you bought is on HPE's supported list for this server. For memory, check the population rules for your CPU count.
  2. Shut down and unplug
    Shut the server down properly, then disconnect all power cords and cables. If the server is in a rack, follow the user guide for safely sliding it out or removing it.
  3. Ground yourself
    Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold memory modules by the edges.
  4. Open the server
    Remove the access panel as described in the owner's manual. Some drive and memory locations need other parts moved first, so follow the manual.
  5. Install the part
    For memory, fit the RDIMMs in the slots the population rules call for. For drives, use the correct bay and carrier for your chassis. Any optional cage, riser or boot device needs the exact kit and steps from the user guide.
  6. Close up and reconnect
    Replace the access panel and any other parts you removed, reconnect cables and power, and return the server to its place.
  7. Check that the server sees the new part
    Power on and confirm the new memory or drive appears in the system firmware or management interface. If it doesn't, power down and recheck the seating and the supported-parts list.

Good to know

  • This guide covers memory and storage only; we don't have CPU upgrade details for this server, so check the HPE user guide before planning a processor swap.
  • Memory speed depends on the CPU generation, and one QuickSpecs copy says 6000 MT/s instead of 6400 for 5th Gen EPYC.
  • The listed maximum bay counts and capacities assume the optional mid-tray and rear cages; confirm what your chassis includes.
  • The M.2 length of the NS204i-u, drive thickness limits and the NVMe PCIe generation aren't stated in the documents we have.
  • Using primary Slot 1 and OCP Slot 21 together shares about 112 GB/s of bandwidth, and extra slots or a rear LFF cage need different riser kits.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the HPE ProLiant DL385 Gen11 take?

Up to 6 TB (6,144 GB) with two CPUs, using 24 x 256 GB DDR5 RDIMMs. A one-CPU server has only 12 slots, so its maximum is lower.

What type of memory does the DL385 Gen11 use?

HPE DDR5 registered ECC DIMMs (RDIMM). UDIMM, LRDIMM and Persistent Memory are not supported.

How fast is the memory?

HPE lists 4800 MT/s on 4th Gen AMD EPYC and 6400 MT/s on 5th Gen at one DIMM per channel. One QuickSpecs copy says 6000 MT/s for 5th Gen, so check the document revision for your unit.

Does the DL385 Gen11 have an M.2 slot?

Not a general-purpose one. The optional NS204i-u boot device holds two 480 GB M.2 NVMe SSDs in RAID 1, but it is a dedicated boot module and can reduce the available PCIe slots.

How many drives can it hold?

The front has 12 LFF or 24 SFF bays. Optional cages take LFF to 20 and SFF to 34. Newer configurations also offer a 36-bay E3.S NVMe option.

Can I use NVMe drives?

Yes, in the SFF bays, which list NVMe alongside SATA and SAS. The NVMe PCIe generation isn't stated in the documents we have, so check your user guide.

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.