HP ProLiant Server Advancements: DL380 G7 vs DL380p G8

In a recent blog, we compared Dell’s 11th and 12th generation servers by exploring the differences between the PowerEdge R710 and R720. Now it’s only fair to look at the differences between the recent generation HP servers for another thorough assessment.

Here is a comparison of the fundamental specifications of the HP ProLiant DL380 G7 and DL380p G8 to help you determine which server you really need.

Processors

HP's latest generation servers are no different than other manufacturer's when it comes to CPU upgrades. The HP DL380p G8 supports Intel's Xeon E5-2600 product family, an advancement from the Intel Xeon X5600 and E5600 processors in the DL380 G7. So why would you need Intel’s E5-2600 series? For starters, these newer CPUs have up to 12 cores compared to the 6 core limit in the DL380 G7. The E5-2600 processors also increase performance, improve security and efficiency, and are ideal for demanding workloads.

Memory

Increased processing power means the newest HP generation servers can support substantially more memory. With 24 DIMM slots, the HP DL380p G8 holds up to 768GB memory while the DL380 G7 maxes out at 384GB in only 12 DIMM slots. High memory capabilities make either of these servers a superior virtualization option. How much memory do you need to virtualize your infrastructure? Our recent blog mentioned that you should allocate at least 2GB memory per virtual machine (VM) generally.

Storage

As far as internal storage, both the DL380 G7 and DL380p G8 offer impressive maximum capacities. The DL380 G7 can support up to 24TB internal storage with a maximum of six 3.5" hard drives or sixteen 2.5" hard drives. With 48TB maximum internal storage, the DL380p G8 includes up to twelve 3.5” hard drives or twenty-five hard drives. Both server models provide support for 6Gb/s SAS, SATA, and SSD drives.

RAID Controller

Of course these considerable internal storage capabilities cannot be utilized in any server without the internal RAID controller. While the DL380 G7 comes with a standard Smart Array P410i RAID controller, the DL380p G8 includes the Smart Array P420i RAID controller upgrade. The main difference between the P410i and P420i RAID controllers is the RAID levels supported. Smart Array P420i controllers support all RAID levels, but the P410i controllers are limited to RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, 50. A couple of other P420i upgrades include 2GB RAID cache availability and Flash-Based Write Cache (FBWC).

While every difference is not covered, we hope this comparison of the HP DL380 G7 and DL380p G8 provided valuable information to reference for your next hardware purchase. To learn more about advancements in server technology check out our webinar.