VMware vSphere 8 Hardware Compatibility and Requirements: How to Upgrade Smart
- server-parts.eu server-parts.eu
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 3
Support for VMware vSphere 7.x ends on October 2, 2025. After that, there will be no more security updates or official fixes.
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Compatible Servers
✔️ No Upfront Payment Required - Test First, Pay Later
Many users are planning their upgrade to VMware vSphere 8, but VMware vSphere 8 compatibility has become a serious issue. Due to stricter requirements, older servers and components may no longer be supported.
Before You Upgrade – VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
Before moving to vSphere 8.x, check if your:
Server model
Processor (CPU)
RAID controller / HBA
Network adapter (NIC)
Storage device
...meet VMware vSphere 8 compatibility. Use VMware’s official Hardware Compatibility Guide (HCL) to search by model or part number.
Unsupported Servers - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
Many popular servers used for vSphere 7.x are not supported in vSphere 8.x due to outdated CPUs and components. If you're planning a move, understanding VMware vSphere 8 compatibility is essential.
🚫 Dell PowerEdge 13th Gen (Not VMware vSphere 8 Compatible)
Models: R230, R330, R430, R530, R630, R730, R730xd, R830, R930
Tower: T130, T330, T430, T630
Blade: M630
CPUs: Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 (Haswell/Broadwell)
🚫 HPE ProLiant Gen9 (Not Compatible with VMware vSphere 8)
Models: DL160, DL180, DL360, DL380, ML350 Gen9
Tower: ML350 Gen9
Blades: BL460c Gen9 (c7000 chassis)
🚫 Lenovo System x (Fails VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility)
Models: x3550 M5, x3650 M5
🚫 Cisco UCS (Not on VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility List)
Models: B200 M4, C220 M4
These platforms rely on CPUs that predate Intel Skylake (6th Gen) or AMD EPYC Naples and do not meet VMware vSphere 8 compatibility requirements.
Unsupported Components - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
These common components are not supported under VMware vSphere 8 compatibility standards due to driver removal or hardware deprecation:
CPUs:
Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4
Intel Xeon E7
AMD Opteron
NICs:
Intel 82599
Broadcom NetXtreme I/II
Mellanox ConnectX-3 (nmlx4 driver removed)
RAID / HBA Controllers:
Dell H730, H740
HPE SmartArray P440, P840
LSI/Avago 9361
Fibre Channel HBAs:
Emulex LPe12000 Series (driver support dropped)
Always confirm compatibility through VMware’s HCL before upgrading to ensure VMware vSphere 8 compatibility.
Supported Hardware - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
If your current setup isn’t compatible, these servers and components are fully supported under VMware vSphere 8 compatibility requirements:
Dell PowerEdge (15th–16th Gen)
Models: Dell PowerEdge R750, Dell PowerEdge R650, Dell PowerEdge R660, Dell PowerEdge R760
CPUs: Intel Xeon Scalable Gen 3 & 4 (Ice Lake, Sapphire Rapids)
RAID: H755, HBA355
NICs: Intel X710, Broadcom 57414
HPE ProLiant (Gen10/Gen11)
Models: DL360 Gen10+, DL380 Gen10+, Gen11
CPUs: Intel Xeon Gen 3+, AMD EPYC 7003/9004
RAID: P816i-a, E208i-p
NICs: Intel E810, Broadcom 57412
Lenovo ThinkSystem (SR650 V2/V3)
Models: Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650V2, Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V3
CPUs: Intel Xeon Gen 3/4, AMD EPYC 7003/9004
RAID: RAID 9350, 9600
NICs: Intel E810, X722
Cisco UCS X-Series (Blades and Modular)
Models: Cisco UCS X210c M6, Cisco UCS X210c M7
CPUs: Intel Xeon Gen 3 / Gen 4 (Ice Lake, Sapphire Rapids)
VICs: 1400, 1440, 14825
HPE Blade Systems (Gen10+ and Synergy)
Models: HPE BL460c Gen10, HPE Synergy 480 Gen10, HPE Synergy 480 Gen10 Gen10 Plus
CPUs: Intel Xeon Scalable Gen 2 / Gen 3
NICs: HPE Virtual Connect SE 100Gb F32, 25/50Gb adapters
RAID: Smart Array P408i, P816i-a
Dell Blade Systems (14G and Newer)
Models: Dell PowerEdge MX740c, Dell PowerEdge MX750c
CPUs: Intel Xeon Scalable Gen 2 / Gen 3
NICs: MX9116n Fabric Switching Engine, Intel X710, Broadcom 57414
RAID: PERC H745, HBA355
All of the above meet VMware vSphere 8 compatibility standards. Before making a purchase, always verify hardware compatibility using the official VMware Compatibility Guide.
Timeline – VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
Phase | Ends | Details |
General Support (EoGS) | Oct 2, 2025 | No patches, bug fixes, or tech support |
Technical Guidance | Apr 2, 2027 | Only with valid VMware (not Broadcom) support contracts |
Support cases on non-compatible hardware may be rejected
Severity 1 issues: Require phone support
All others: Managed through the support portal
Checklist - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
Inventory Your Infrastructure→ Document server models, CPUs, NICs, RAID/HBAs
Check VMware HCL→ Use the VMware Compatibility Guide to validate every part for VMware vSphere 8 compatibility
Plan Your Upgrade→ Replace unsupported hardware and upgrade before October 2025
Unsupported vs Supported Parts - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
Category | Unsupported in v8.x | VMware vSphere 8 Compatible |
CPU | Intel Xeon E5 v3/v4, AMD Opteron | Intel Xeon Gen 3/4, AMD EPYC 7003+ |
Server | Dell R730, HPE Gen9, Lenovo System x, M630 Blade | Dell R660/R760, HPE Gen10+/11, Lenovo SR650 V2/V3 |
NICs | Intel 82599, Broadcom NetXtreme II, ConnectX-3 | Intel X710/E810, Broadcom 57414, ConnectX-4/5 |
RAID / HBA | Dell H730, HPE P440, LSI 9361, Emulex LPe12000 | Dell H755, HPE P816i, Broadcom 9600 |
Recommended Upgrades - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
Use Case | Budget-Friendly Option | High-End Option – Fully VMware vSphere 8 Compatible |
Dell Server | PowerEdge R640 (Gen 14) — Xeon Gen 2 | PowerEdge R760 (Gen 16) — Xeon Gen 4 |
HPE Server | ProLiant DL380 Gen10 — Xeon Gen 2 | DL380 Gen11 — Xeon Gen 4 / EPYC 9004 |
Lenovo Server | SR630 Gen1 — Cascade Lake | SR650 V2/V3 — Xeon Gen 4 / EPYC 9004 |
Blade Platform | Dell MX740c — Xeon Gen 2 | Cisco UCS X210c M7 — Xeon Gen 4 |
Storage Controllers | Broadcom 9400 HBA | Dell HBA355e, HPE P816i-a |
NIC Upgrade | Intel X710 dual-port 10G | Intel E810 or Broadcom 57414 25G |
💡 Plan ahead. Upgrade to fully VMware vSphere 8 compatible systems before support ends!
Upgrade Smart with Refurbished Servers - VMware vSphere 8 Compatibility and Requirements
If your current hardware doesn’t meet VMware vSphere 8 compatibility, you don’t need to overspend on brand-new servers. High-quality refurbished servers are a smart alternative. They offer the same enterprise performance at a fraction of the cost—without compromising reliability. All the recommended models listed above are available refurbished, with a 5-year warranty, no upfront payment, and test-before-you-pay options. This means you can upgrade on your timeline, reduce budget pressure, and still meet the strict hardware requirements for vSphere 8.
VMware ESXi vSphere 8 Compatible Servers
✔️ No Upfront Payment Required - Test First, Pay Later
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