HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 Upgrade Guide

Ciclo de vida y soporte

El soporte estándar finalizó el 31 de julio de 2023 (estimado).

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Memory (RAM)

Your server has 24 DDR4 DIMM slots — 12 per processor, with 4 memory channels per CPU and 3 DIMMs per channel. With only one processor installed, just 12 slots are usable; the other 12 belong to CPU 2 and stay empty until you add it. All slots take full-length DDR4 DIMMs, and nothing is soldered.

What fits: ECC registered memory only — RDIMM or LRDIMM. UDIMM and non-ECC modules are not supported. The largest modules depend on your processors. With Xeon E5-2600 v3 CPUs, 32 GB RDIMMs and 32 GB LRDIMMs are the ceiling. Xeon E5-2600 v4 CPUs unlock 64 GB and 128 GB LRDIMMs and raise the speed ceiling to 2400 MT/s.

Maximum capacity depends on the CPU generation. With v3 processors you're looking at 384 GB (24 x 16 GB RDIMM) or 768 GB (24 x 32 GB LRDIMM). With v4 processors it's 768 GB (24 x 32 GB RDIMM), 1.5 TB (24 x 64 GB LRDIMM) or 3 TB (24 x 128 GB LRDIMM). Be aware that sources disagree here: the original spec sheet and Kingston's listings cap this machine at 768 GB (with 3 TB shown as possible only with future 128 GB modules), while the later HPE spec sheet lists 1.5 TB and 3 TB as achievable with v4 CPUs and big LRDIMMs. In practice it comes down to which CPUs are installed and which modules you buy.

Speed: v3 CPUs run memory at 1600, 1866 or 2133 MT/s depending on the exact model (for example, E5-2603/2609 v3 top out at 1600). v4 CPUs reach up to 2400 MT/s. Filling all 3 DIMMs in a channel drops the speed to 1600 MT/s, so for performance it's better to use 2 DIMMs per channel with larger modules than to fill every slot.

What to watch out for:
- Never mix RDIMMs with LRDIMMs, and don't mix 2133 and 2400 MT/s modules.
- Quad-rank RDIMMs are not supported; quad-rank LRDIMMs are fine (up to 3 per channel).
- Mixing speeds is allowed on v3 systems (the server picks a common speed), but keep ranks balanced and put the highest-rank DIMM in the white slot — that's the first slot to populate in each channel.
- Balance capacity across both processors, and remember DIMMs only work if their CPU is installed.
- HPE SmartMemory is required to reach the published capacities and speeds. Third-party memory generally works, but may run at reduced speeds or limits.

Buying tips: match the type (RDIMM vs LRDIMM) and speed of what's already fitted, buy in matched kits, and prefer fewer, larger modules over filling all 24 slots. If you're planning a big upgrade later, remember that v4 CPUs are what unlock the high-capacity modules.

Storage

Storage is where this server really stretches, but the drive bays depend on your chassis. The small-form-factor (SFF, 2.5-inch) cage starts at 8 bays and can grow to 48; the large-form-factor (LFF, 3.5-inch) cage starts at 8 bays and grows to 24. These are physically different cages and backplanes — converting between them needs the cage and backplane parts, not just brackets. Supported interfaces are SAS, SATA and NVMe.

How much: the documented maximum is 288 TB, using 24 x 12 TB LFF drives per the later HPE spec sheet. The earlier spec sheet had lower ceilings (for example, 144 TB on LFF), so treat 288 TB as the later, big-drive figure. On SFF, the later spec allows up to 48 x 2 TB HDDs (96 TB) or 48 x 3.84 TB SSDs (184.32 TB). There's also an optional NVMe bay kit holding up to 6 drives.

M.2 option: the HPE Universal SSD M.2 Kit (878783-B21) gives you 2 x M.2 2280 slots with SATA (not NVMe) drives, connected to the onboard Dynamic Smart Array B140i SATA ports, with RAID 0/1 supported. It comes at a cost: the kit occupies PCIe slot 1 (full-height, half-length or low-profile, x8 or wider), it uses both B140i SATA ports, and with two M.2 drives fitted you can no longer use the internal DVD drive. At least one M.2 drive must be ordered with the kit.

Controllers: the onboard Dynamic Smart Array B140i handles SATA RAID (0/1 and similar) but it's a firmware/software SATA controller without cache. If you want SAS drives or proper hardware RAID, you'll need an add-in Smart Array card (for example a P440ar or P840), which fits the proprietary Smart Array/ROC mezzanine slot — this machine's only non-PCIe expansion slot.

What to watch out for:
- Check which cage your chassis has before buying drives — SFF and LFF are not interchangeable.
- Keep drive blanks fitted in unused bays; they matter for cooling.
- Standard hot-plug HDDs are 15 mm thick; SSDs sit in 7 mm HPE carriers. The optional internal DVD-ROM/DVD-RW is a 9.5 mm SATA device and isn't included in entry, base or performance pre-configurations.
- The biggest capacity figures assume the largest drives listed in the later spec sheet.

Buying tips: decide first whether you want hot-plug bays, NVMe (kit required) or a bootable M.2 pair, and check your controller before buying SAS drives — SAS needs that add-in card.

Processor (CPU)

Your ML350 Gen9 has two LGA2011-3 (Socket R3) sockets, and both CPUs are socketed — a second processor is optional. Nothing is soldered, so both slots are upgradeable.

What fits: Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 family processors (the original spec) and, per the later HPE spec sheet and firmware, Xeon E5-2600 v4 family processors. The v3 era tops out at 18 cores per chip; v4 parts go up to 22 cores. The maximum thermal design power is 145 W per socket. HPE only validates specific part numbers, so check the exact P/N on HPE's support matrix before buying.

Why v4 matters: v4 processors unlock 2400 MT/s memory, the 64 GB and 128 GB LRDIMMs (and with them the 1.5 TB/3 TB totals), and larger supported drives. To run v4 chips, update the system firmware first — older firmware won't support them.

What to watch out for:
- Install matching processors in a dual-CPU configuration.
- With only one CPU installed you lose 12 DIMM slots and PCIe slots 5 through 9 — half the expansion. If you plan to fill the memory or add several expansion cards, the second CPU is worth factoring in.
- Some listings mislabel this server as LGA3647/Xeon E-2100. Buy for LGA2011-3 (Socket R3) and the Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 families.

Buying tips: verify the exact part number on HPE's support list, check your current firmware revision before ordering a v4 chip, and make sure your cooling and power configuration covers a 145 W part.

Cómo ampliar

Antes de empezar

• Back up your data and any important configuration before touching the hardware.
• Power the server off and unplug it.
• Ground yourself to avoid static damage.
• Open the case and install the new part.
• Close the case, reconnect and power on.
• Check in the BIOS/firmware that the new part is detected and running at the expected capacity or speed.
• For exact disassembly and part locations, follow the HPE Maintenance and Service Guide linked below. If you're adding a Xeon E5-2600 v4, update the system firmware before installing the chip.

Preguntas frecuentes

How much RAM can the HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 take?

It depends on your processors. With Xeon E5-2600 v3 CPUs: up to 384 GB (RDIMM) or 768 GB (LRDIMM). With v4 CPUs: 768 GB (RDIMM), 1.5 TB with 64 GB LRDIMMs, or 3 TB with 128 GB LRDIMMs. The original spec sheet and some memory vendors cap it at 768 GB, while the later HPE spec sheet lists 1.5 TB and 3 TB with v4 CPUs and the largest LRDIMMs.

What kind of RAM does the ML350 Gen9 use?

DDR4 ECC registered DIMMs — RDIMM or LRDIMM only. UDIMM and non-ECC modules are not supported. Speeds range from 1600 to 2133 MT/s on v3 CPUs and up to 2400 MT/s on v4 CPUs. HPE SmartMemory is needed for the published maximums; third-party memory usually works but may run at reduced limits.

Does the ML350 Gen9 support Xeon E5-2600 v4 processors?

Yes, per the later HPE spec sheet and firmware, alongside the original v3 support. Update the system firmware before installing a v4 chip, and verify the exact part number on HPE's supported CPU list. v4 chips also unlock 2400 MT/s memory and the big LRDIMMs.

Can I add an M.2 SSD to the ML350 Gen9?

Yes, with the HPE Universal SSD M.2 Kit (878783-B21), which provides 2 x SATA M.2 2280 slots with RAID 0/1. Note the trade-offs: the kit uses PCIe slot 1 and both onboard B140i SATA ports, it does not support NVMe, and with two M.2 drives fitted you lose the internal DVD drive.

Does the ML350 Gen9 support NVMe drives?

Yes, but only through the optional 6-bay NVMe bay kit. The M.2 kit is SATA only. SAS drives or hardware RAID require an add-in Smart Array card.

Why did my memory drop to 1600 MT/s?

Filling all 3 DIMMs in a channel drops the speed to 1600 MT/s. For full speed, run 2 DIMMs per channel with larger modules instead of populating every slot. Also make sure you haven't mixed RDIMM with LRDIMM or 2133 with 2400 MT/s modules.

Documentos y referencias oficiales

• PDF HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 QuickSpecs (HPE)
  Official spec sheet, including processor, memory and storage options.
• PDF HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 QuickSpecs, later revision (PDF)
  The later spec sheet that adds Xeon E5-2600 v4 support and the higher memory and storage maximums.
• PDF HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 Server Maintenance and Service Guide (PDF)
  The go-to manual for exact disassembly and part removal.
• HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 Memory Matrix (HPE Support)
  Check supported memory options and population rules.
• PDF HPE ProLiant ML350 Gen9 product information (PDF)
  Earlier documentation, useful for comparison with later specs.