Every time a new server generation is released, I ask myself: Is this actually necessary? The HPE ProLiant DL380 series has been a reliable choice for years. But now, with the DL380a Gen12, HPE has made a big change—it’s the first DL380 in a 4U chassis.
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Previously, every DL380 model was 2U. Now, HPE has doubled the height, allowing more GPUs and improved cooling. But is this just a marketing move, or does it bring real benefits for AI and HPC workloads? Let’s analyze it in detail.
In the HPE ProLiant DL380a Gen12, the "a" stands for "accelerator optimized," indicating improved GPU support for AI and high-performance computing workloads.
What’s New in the HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12?
A Shift to 4U: Why It Matters
More space means better cooling and more power delivery.
Supports up to 16 single-wide or 8 double-wide GPUs, making it one of the most GPU-dense HPE servers.
Better airflow, reducing thermal throttling under load.
Intel Xeon 6 Processors – A Real Upgrade?
The DL380a Gen12 uses 6th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, supporting up to 144 cores in a dual-processor configuration, with each CPU reaching up to 250W. This is a major performance boost over previous generations.
PCIe Gen5 for higher data transfer speeds.
Built-in security features like Intel SGX and Boot Guard.
DDR5 memory support for improved bandwidth and lower latency.
GPU Capabilities: Built for AI and HPC
The biggest improvement is GPU support:
Up to 8x double-wide GPUs (up to 600W each).
NVIDIA 4-way NVLink Bridge support for faster AI inference.
Dedicated power domains ensure GPU stability.
For enterprises working with AI models, this is a big deal. But for standard workloads? Probably overkill.
PCIe Gen5 & High-Speed Networking
6 x16 PCIe Gen5 slots and 2 OCP slots.
Faster data transfer for NVMe storage and high-speed networking.
Lower latency for data-heavy applications.
Memory & Storage Upgrades
32 DIMM slots, up to 4TB DDR5 RAM at 6400 MHz.
RAS features: ECC, online spare, mirroring, and fast fault tolerance.
Supports NVMe and EDSFF storage for high-speed data access.
Security and Management Features of HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12
HPE’s Silicon Root of Trust & iLO Enhancements
Security remains a priority:
Silicon Root of Trust protects against firmware attacks.
Automated recovery from security breaches.
iLO Standard with OneView support for remote management.
Power & Cooling: Handling the 4U Form Factor of HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12
More Power Domains, More Stability
Three power domains, two dedicated to GPUs.
Up to 8 M-CRPS power supplies for redundancy.
Improved thermal efficiency with 4 dual-rotor and 8 single-rotor fans.
If you don’t need multiple high-power GPUs, this level of power redundancy might be excessive.
Who Should Buy the HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12?
Use Case | Recommendation |
AI Inference | ✅ Great Choice |
HPC Workloads | ✅ Suitable |
Database Workloads | ⚠️ Consider If You Need PCIe Gen5 |
Virtualization | ⚠️ May Be Overkill |
General Enterprise IT | ❌ Stick with Gen11 |
Is the HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12 Worth It?
The HPE ProLiant DL380a Gen12 is a solid choice for AI and HPC workloads. If your enterprise is running AI inference or high-performance computing, it’s worth considering.
However, if you run traditional IT workloads, Gen11 is still a great option. The shift to 4U brings advantages for cooling and GPU scalability but also takes up more rack space and power. For many businesses, this upgrade won’t be necessary. But for AI-focused companies, this is an important release.
HPE ProLiant Servers & Server Parts: Save up to 80%
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