VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Hardware Requirements: Act Before the 7.x Deadline
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Support for VMware vSphere 7.x ends on October 2, 2025, which means no more security patches or official fixes. Many users are now considering the move to VMware ESXi vSphere 8—but VMware ESXi vSphere 8 hardware requirements are a major concern, as its stricter requirements mean some hardware won’t be supported.
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Compatible Servers & Parts
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Before upgrading, verify that your existing servers, processors, and peripherals meet VMware ESXi vSphere 8 hardware requirements. VMware provides an online Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) where you can check if your server model, CPUs, storage, and network devices are officially supported.
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Hardware Requirements: What You Need to Check Before Upgrading
Unsupported CPUs
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 does not support processors older than Intel Skylake or AMD EPYC (Naples). VMware has dropped support for a large number of legacy CPU models, including many older Intel Xeon and AMD Opteron series.
If your ESXi host’s CPU is from a generation before Skylake (e.g., Intel Haswell or Broadwell), the VMware ESXi vSphere 8 installer will refuse to run on that hardware.
Only relatively modern 64-bit CPUs with NX/XD (No-eXecute) enabled in BIOS are supported. VMware ESXi vSphere 8 hardware requirements for CPU include:
A minimum of 2 cores
NX (No-eXecute) / XD (eXecute Disable) enabled in BIOS
Intel VT-x or AMD RVI virtualization features
Memory and Boot Devices
Your server must meet the memory and boot device hardware requirements for VMware ESXi vSphere 8:
Minimum RAM: 8 GB (12 GB or more recommended for production)
Boot Device: At least 32 GB of persistent storage (SSD, HDD, or NVMe). VMware recommends using a 128 GB device for better reliability and performance. The boot device should deliver at least 100 MB/s write speed and support 128 TBW (terabytes written).
Older devices such as 4–8 GB USB sticks and SD cards are no longer sufficient. Even if the installer allows it, VMware requires a separate local disk for ESX-OSData. A 32 GB minimum is required, but 128 GB gives the system space to manage logs, crash dumps, and future updates. UEFI boot mode is strongly preferred, as legacy BIOS support is limited and being phased out.
Storage Controllers and Network Adapters
Some storage and network controllers that worked under older versions may no longer meet VMware ESXi vSphere 8 hardware requirements. Since VMware removed the VMKlinux driver stack, any device without native drivers will not be recognized by VMware ESXi vSphere 8.
Hardware categories to double-check:
Older RAID controllers
First-generation HBAs
NICs without native VMware drivers
Hardware-based FCoE adapters are supported, but software-based ones are not. If your current storage or network card depends on a legacy driver, you’ll need to replace it. Always check the official VMware HCL to confirm.
Server Models and OEM Support
Even if all components are supported, the server model itself must be listed on the VMware HCL. Vendors like Dell, HPE, and Lenovo test and certify only certain server generations.
If your server is several years old—even if it technically boots ESXi—it may still be unsupported. Unsupported configurations might function in test environments but lack stability and official support.
Instead of focusing on older examples like the Dell R730, use the HCL directly to find models certified for VMware ESXi vSphere 8 hardware requirements.
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Hardware Requirements and Upgrade Planning
Older infrastructure may require both hardware and software upgrades to move to VMware ESXi vSphere 8. Here’s how to keep things smooth:
Evaluate Hardware for Replacement
If your servers use pre-Skylake CPUs or outdated storage/NIC cards, it may be time to replace or retrofit them. Use the VMware HCL to search for certified server models and compatible components.
Test in a Lab
Test your setup on non-production machines. Attempting to install VMware ESXi vSphere 8 in a lab will reveal if unsupported drivers or firmware cause problems. A NIC that doesn’t appear or a controller that drops under load can derail a production rollout.
Phased Upgrade Process
Upgrade your vCenter Server first. Then move on to a single ESXi host or test cluster. VMware ESXi vSphere 8 can run alongside version 7.0 hosts in the same cluster as long as vCenter is updated. This staged process allows you to catch and fix problems early.
Use Current Documentation
Rely on official resources:
VMware ESXi 8.0 Installation and Setup Guide
VMware ESXi 8.0 Update 2 Release Notes
VMware Community Forums
Dell Community thread on vSphere 8.0 compatibility (Jan 2025)
PrimaryIO Blog (May 18, 2025)
Virten.net – VMware vSphere 7.0 vs. 8.0 Comparison (2023)
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Hardware Requirements Checklist
✅ CPU: Intel Skylake or AMD EPYC Naples or newer, 64-bit, VT-x/RVI, NX/XD
✅ Memory: 8 GB minimum, 12 GB or more for production
✅ Boot Device: 128 GB recommended, min. 32 GB, 100 MB/s write, 128 TBW
✅ UEFI: Preferred for ESXi 8.0; BIOS deprecated
✅ NICs and HBAs: Must have native drivers; check VMware HCL
✅ Server Model: Must be certified on VMware HCL
✅ Firmware: Update BIOS, storage, and network firmware before upgrade
✅ Backups: Required before any upgrade, especially from 6.7 or older
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Compatible Servers & Parts
✔️ No Upfront Payment Required - Test First, Pay Later
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