NVIDIA GPUs for HPE ProLiant Servers
- server-parts.eu server-parts.eu
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
HPE ProLiant server GPU upgrades can enable AI, virtualization, rendering, and analytics — but only when the right NVIDIA GPU is matched with the right server model. With GPU prices high and power and cooling often overlooked, choosing unsupported or oversized GPUs can quickly waste budget.
NVIDIA GPUs for HPE ProLiant Servers
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This article shows which NVIDIA GPUs are proven to work well in HPE ProLiant servers, what workloads they fit best, and how to upgrade safely.
NVIDIA GPU Comparison for HPE ProLiant Servers
NVIDIA GPU | VRAM / Power Class | Best For | Typical HPE ProLiant Servers |
NVIDIA T4 | 16 GB · Low (~70W) | AI inference, video analytics, light VDI, edge | DL360, DL380 |
NVIDIA A2 | 16 GB · Very low (~60W) | Inference, media processing, edge AI | DL360, DL380 |
NVIDIA A16 | 64 GB · Medium (~250W) | High-density VDI, virtual desktops | DL360, DL380 |
NVIDIA L4 | 24 GB · Low (~72W) | Inference, video analytics, edge AI | DL360 Gen11, DL380 Gen11 |
NVIDIA A10 | 24 GB · Medium (~150W) | VDI, light AI training, mixed workloads | DL380, DL385 |
NVIDIA A30 | 24 GB · Medium (~165W) | AI inference & training, analytics | DL380, DL385 |
NVIDIA A40 | 48 GB · High (~300W) | Rendering, visualization, VDI, inference | DL380, DL385, DL580 |
NVIDIA A100 | 40 / 80 GB · Very high (250–400W) | AI training, HPC, analytics | DL380, DL385, DL580 |
NVIDIA L40 / L40S | 48 GB · High (300–350W) | AI training, inference, rendering | DL380 Gen11, DL580 Gen11 |
NVIDIA H100 | 80 GB · Extreme (350–700W) | Large AI models, deep learning, HPC | DL380 Gen11, DL385 Gen11, DL580 Gen11 |
NVIDIA RTX A6000 | 48 GB · High (~300W) | Rendering, visualization, VDI | DL380, DL580 |
NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada | 48 GB · High (~300W) | Rendering, visualization, inference | DL380 Gen11, DL580 Gen11 |
HPE ProLiant DL360 (1U) – Low-Power GPU Acceleration
What HPE ProLiant DL360 with NVIDIA GPU is good at
AI inference
Video analytics
VDI density
Edge and branch deployments
Low power consumption, minimal rack impact
What HPE ProLiant DL360 with NVIDIA GPU is NOT good at
AI training
Rendering
High-TDP GPUs
Multi-GPU scaling
NVIDIA GPUs that work well with HPE ProLiant DL360
NVIDIA T4 (16GB)
NVIDIA A2 (16GB)
NVIDIA A16 (64GB, VDI-focused, configuration-dependent)
NVIDIA L4 (24GB – Gen11 only)
Key limitations to know - NVIDIA GPUs for HPE ProLiant DL360
1U cooling limits GPU power
Only low-profile, low-power GPUs
A16 is VDI-only and requires correct risers and airflow
Not all DL360 variants support multiple GPUs
HPE ProLiant DL380 (2U) – The Most Flexible GPU Platform
What HPE ProLiant DL380 with NVIDIA GPU is good at
AI inference and training
Virtual workstations (VDI)
Rendering and visualization
Mixed enterprise GPU workloads
NVIDIA GPU Capacity: HPE ProLiant DL380
Gen10: typically up to 2 double-width GPUs
Gen10 Plus: up to 4 double-width GPUs (with GPU enablement kits)
Gen11: up to 4 double-width GPUs, GPU-optimized chassis only
GPU count depends on chassis, risers, airflow, and PSU configuration.
NVIDIA GPUs that work well with HPE ProLiant DL380
NVIDIA A10 (24GB)
NVIDIA A30 (24GB)
NVIDIA A40 (48GB)
NVIDIA A100 (40GB / 80GB)
NVIDIA L40 / L40S (48GB – Gen11)
NVIDIA H100 (80GB – Gen11 only, validated configs)
What to be careful about - HPE ProLiant DL380 with NVIDIA GPU
NVIDIA H100 requires Gen11 + approved GPU configs
Older HPE ProLiant Gen10 systems cannot support H100
PSU sizing and fan kits are critical above 250W GPUs
HPE ProLiant DL385 (2U, AMD EPYC) – Memory & Core-Heavy GPU Workloads
What HPE ProLiant DL385 with NVIDIA GPU is good at
Very high memory bandwidth
High core counts with EPYC CPUs
GPU workloads combined with heavy virtualization
Analytics and AI inference/training
NVIDIA GPUs that work well with HPE ProLiant DL385
NVIDIA A30
NVIDIA A40
NVIDIA A100
NVIDIA H100 (Gen11 only)
HPE ProLiant DL580 (4U) – High-Capacity Multi-GPU
What HPE ProLiant DL580 with NVIDIA GPU is good at
Large memory + multi-GPU combinations
Stable enterprise AI platforms
Rendering and virtualization at scale
NVIDIA GPU capacity: HPE ProLiant DL580
Up to 4 high-power GPUs (generation and config dependent)
NVIDIA GPUs that work well with HPE ProLiant DL580
NVIDIA A40
NVIDIA A100
NVIDIA H100 (Gen11 only)
NVIDIA RTX A6000 / RTX 6000 Ada (validated configs only)
What to be careful about: HPE ProLiant DL580 with NVIDIA GPU
GPU support depends heavily on airflow and PSU
Not every DL580 supports every GPU
Core Rules Before Buying Any NVIDIA GPU for HPE ProLiant Servers
GPUs generate far more heat than CPUs → fan upgrades are mandatory
GPUs above 75W require dedicated power cables
Many enterprise GPUs draw 250–400W
Multi-GPU servers often need 1600W+ PSUs
Most systems need HPE GPU risers / enablement kits
Without correct kits, GPUs may not power on
Always update BIOS and firmware first
The same HPE ProLiant model can support very different GPUs depending on generation, chassis, airflow, risers, and power supplies. Always validate before buying.
NVIDIA GPUs for HPE ProLiant Servers
✔️ 5-Year Warranty – No Risk: Pay Only After Testing