HPE ProLiant Memory Explained: Compatibility Rules and Cost-Effective Upgrades
- server-parts.eu server-parts.eu
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Memory prices have become extremely high. The wrong HPE ProLiant memory choice can quickly waste budget or cause compatibility and performance problems. Knowing which memory works with each HPE ProLiant generation, CPU, and configuration is now more important than ever.
HPE Memory Modules: Save Up To 80%
✔️ 5-Year Warranty – No Risk: Pay Only After Testing
Most HPE ProLiant servers use RDIMM, which offers the best balance of performance and cost. When very high memory capacity is needed, LRDIMM is used instead, and these two types must never be mixed in the same system. Memory speed is defined by the CPU, 32 GB and 64 GB DDR4 modules are the safest choices, DDR5 mainly improves bandwidth and is still expensive, large servers work best with fewer but larger DIMMs, and refurbished memory is a proven way to reduce upgrade costs.
HPE ProLiant Memory Modules (RAM) Explained
HPE Memory: RDIMM vs LRDIMM
RDIMM (Registered ECC Memory)
Most common enterprise memory
Lower latency and lower price
Limited maximum capacity per server
Best choice for most use cases
LRDIMM (Load-Reduced ECC Memory)
Adds an extra buffer to reduce electrical load
Enables much higher memory capacity
Slightly higher latency
Higher cost per GB
Used when RDIMM capacity is not enough
Important rule: You cannot mix RDIMM and LRDIMM in the same server. If you do, the server will fail POST and not start.
HPE Memory: Memory Speed Rules
All memory runs at the speed of the slowest DIMM
More DIMMs per channel can reduce speed
CPU model defines maximum memory speed, not the DIMM
Server generation alone does not define memory speed
HPE ProLiant Memory Selection by Server Generation
HPE Memory: Comparison Table
Generation | Memory Type | Max Speed | Typical Capacity |
HPE ProLiant Gen10 | DDR4 RDIMM / LRDIMM | Up to 2933 | 256 GB – 1.5 TB |
HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus | DDR4 RDIMM / LRDIMM | Up to 3200 | 512 GB – 4 TB |
HPE ProLiant Gen11 | DDR5 RDIMM only | 4800 (may downclock) | 512 GB – 8 TB |
HPE ProLiant DL360 & DL380 Memory – 2-Socket General Purpose Servers
HPE Memory: Slot Comparison
Model | DIMM Slots | Max Capacity |
HPE Proliant DL360 Gen10 | 24 | 3 TB |
HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 Plus | 32 | 4–8 TB* |
HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 | 32 | 8 TB |
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 | 24 | 3 TB |
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Plus | 32 | 4–8 TB* |
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 | 32 | 8 TB |
* 256 GB LRDIMM support depends on CPU, BIOS, and platform validation.
Best practice:
32 GB or 64 GB RDIMM for most environments
LRDIMM only when capacity matters more than latency
HPE ProLiant DL385 Memory – AMD EPYC-Based Servers
HPE Memory: Key Difference vs Intel Platforms
AMD EPYC servers offer more memory channels, which means:
Higher memory bandwidth
Excellent performance for virtualization and databases
HPE Memory: HPE ProLiant DL385 Memory Overview
Generation | DIMMs | Memory Rule |
HPE ProLiant Gen10 / Gen10 Plus | 32 | RDIMM or LRDIMM |
HPE ProLiant Gen11 | 24 | 1 DIMM per channel only |
Important for Gen11: You cannot add a second DIMM per channel later. Memory planning must be done carefully from day one.
HPE ProLiant DL560 & DL580 Memory – 4-Socket High-Capacity Servers
HPE Memory Characteristics
Model | CPUs | DIMMs | Max Capacity |
HPE ProLiant DL560 Gen10 | 4 | 48 (up to 64) | 6 TB |
HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen10 | 4 | 48 (up to 64) | 6 TB |
Typical use cases:
Large virtualization clusters
SAP / ERP
In-memory databases
Consolidation of many VMs
What HPE ProLiant Memory Fits Your Workload?
HPE Memory: Workload-Based Recommendation Table
Workload | Recommended Memory |
Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox) | 32 GB or 64 GB RDIMM |
Databases (SQL, Oracle) | 64 GB RDIMM or 128 GB LRDIMM |
File / Storage servers | 32 GB or 64 GB RDIMM |
HPC / Analytics | High-speed RDIMM, balanced channels |
AI / ML infrastructure | Large RDIMM or LRDIMM, Gen11 DDR5 |
SAP / In-Memory DB | 128 GB LRDIMM or higher |
Lab / Test environment | Refurbished 32 GB RDIMM |
HPE ProLiant Memory: How to Populate Memory Correctly
Population Rules That Matter
Always populate symmetrically
Same size, same speed, same type per CPU
Avoid mixed capacities unless required
Balance memory across NUMA nodes
Correct population improves:
Performance
Stability
VM placement
Predictable latency
Refurbished HPE ProLiant Memory – Smart Cost Saving
Refurbished HPE ProLiant memory is widely used in enterprise environments.
Why it works:
DDR4 refurbished memory is mature and reliable
20–50% cheaper than new
Same compatibility rules apply
Ideal for Gen10 and Gen10 Plus servers
DDR5 note: Refurbished DDR5 is starting to appear, but availability is still limited.
HPE Memory: Common Memory Sizes to Consider
Module Size | When to Use |
16 GB RDIMM | Entry-level or labs |
32 GB RDIMM | Best value for most servers |
64 GB RDIMM | Popular enterprise standard |
128 GB LRDIMM | High-density builds |
256 GB LRDIMM / DDR5 | Only when platform supports it |
HPE Memory Modules: Save Up To 80%
✔️ 5-Year Warranty – No Risk: Pay Only After Testing
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