The conducted comparative analysis of Dell PowerEdge R760 and HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 servers shows their key differences and strengths in various aspects. Dell PowerEdge R760 is a newer platform that provides advantages in performance and support for modern technologies, while HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 is a proven solution for a wide range of corporate workloads, offering an excellent price-performance ratio.

Comparative analysis of Dell PowerEdge R760 and HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10

1. Workloads

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Optimized for today's demanding workloads. Ideal for:

  • High-performance computing (HPC)
  • Virtualization (with high VM density)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) with enhanced GPU support
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Databases with high I/O and compute requirements
  • Enterprise applications and cloud infrastructure
  • VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: A versatile server that has proven itself well for:

  • General corporate applications
  • Databases (small to medium and some large)
  • Virtualization
  • Software-Defined Storage
  • Web servers and file servers
  • Hybrid cloud environments

  Conclusion: The R760 has the edge for the most demanding and modern workloads, especially those requiring high GPU processing power and the latest memory. The DL380 Gen10 is a more balanced solution for typical corporate tasks.

2. Performance

• Dell PowerEdge R760: Significantly higher levels of performance thanks to:

  • Processors: Support for up to two 4th or 5th generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Emerald Rapids / Sapphire Rapids) with up to 64 cores per processor. This provides a significant increase in performance per core and total core count compared to previous generations.
  • Memory: 32 DDR5 DIMM slots, supporting up to 8TB RDIMMs at up to 5600 MT/s. DDR5 provides significantly higher memory bandwidth.
  • Storage: Native support for PCIe Gen5 and up to 24 NVMe SSDs, providing extremely fast data access and I/O speeds.
  • Expansion: Up to 8 PCIe slots (Gen4 or Gen5), expanded GPU support (up to 2 double-wide or 6 single-wide GPUs) for AI/ML and HPC acceleration.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10: Good performance for its generation, but inferior to the R760:

  • Processors: Support for up to two 1st or 2nd generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors (Skylake/Cascade Lake) with 4 to 28 cores per processor. This is a much older architecture.
  • Memory: Up to 24 DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting up to 3 TB (regular memory) or up to 6 TB (using HPE Persistent Memory) at up to 2933 MT/s.
  • Storage: SAS/SATA/NVMe support, with up to 30 SFF or 19 LFF drives. PCIe Gen3/Gen4 interfaces (depending on configuration), which is slower than Gen5.
  • Expansion: PCIe Gen3 support (or Gen4 for some configurations), less GPU support compared to the acceleration-focused R760.

  Conclusion: The Dell R760 is the undisputed leader in performance thanks to the latest processors, DDR5 memory, and PCIe Gen5, making it more suitable for compute-intensive tasks.

3. Functionality

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • High modularity and flexibility of disk bay configuration (various combinations of 2.5" and 3.5" SAS/SATA/NVMe).
  • Wide selection of RAID controllers (PERC H965i, H755, H355, etc.) as well as HBAs.
  • Optional BOSS-N1 (Boot Optimized Storage Solution) module to boot the OS onto an M.2 NVMe SSD, freeing up the main bays for data.
  • Support for up to 3200W power supplies to power powerful components, including GPUs.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • Very flexible storage configurations with different back and middle drive panel options.
  • HPE Smart Array controllers for RAID (e.g. P408i-a/2 GB).
  • HPE FlexibleLOM for flexible choice of network adapters (1GbE, 10GbE, 25GbE).
  • Support for HPE Persistent Memory (PMEM) for significant acceleration of database and analytical workloads.

  Conclusion: Both servers offer high functionality and configuration flexibility. The DL380 Gen10 has the advantage of integrating HPE Persistent Memory, which is a unique feature of HPE. The R760 compensates for this with overall higher performance and a newer architecture.

4. Reliability

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • Built on proven Dell PowerEdge components and standards.
  • Uses iDRAC9 with Lifecycle Controller for diagnostics, monitoring, and proactive problem detection.
  • Support for hot-swappable components (fans, power supplies, drives).
  • Temperature sensors and fans with intelligent airflow control for optimal cooling.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • Known for its high reliability and build quality, which is standard for HPE ProLiant.
  • HPE iLO 5 provides robust monitoring and remote management.
  • HPE SmartMemory technology for improved memory reliability.
  • HPE InfoSight is cloud analytics that predicts and prevents problems before they occur, significantly increasing availability.
  • HPE Silicon Root of Trust is a hardware security mechanism that ensures that the server boots only from legitimate firmware.

  Conclusion: Both servers are reliable, but the HPE DL380 Gen10 has a slight advantage thanks to HPE InfoSight and HPE Silicon Root of Trust, which offer proactive problem prediction and a deeper layer of hardware security.

5. Security

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • Secure Boot: Ensures that the server only boots from trusted firmware.
  • Silicon Root of Trust: Hardware protection that verifies firmware at all stages of boot.
  • System Lockdown: A feature that prevents unauthorized configuration changes.
  • Secure Erase: Securely delete data from drives.
  • TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 1.2/2.0: A hardware chip for storing cryptographic keys.
  • Data at Rest Encryption: Encryption of data on drives.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • HPE Silicon Root of Trust: An industry standard for hardware security built into chips, ensuring firmware immutability.
  • Secure Boot: Similar to Dell, provides secure booting.
  • Runtime Firmware Verification: Verifies firmware in real time.
  • Secure Recovery: Automatic firmware recovery in case of compromise detection.
  • HPE Trusted Supply Chain: A process that ensures that servers are manufactured in secure conditions, free from malicious code and counterfeit components.
  • TPM 2.0, Intrusion Detection Kit, Locking Bezel.

  Conclusion: The HPE DL380 Gen10 has a slightly stronger position in security thanks to its comprehensive HPE Silicon Root of Trust approach and unique Trusted Supply Chain program that covers the entire server lifecycle.

6. Flexibility

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • Flexibility in processor selection (wide range of 4th/5th generation Xeon Scalable models).
  • Huge memory scalability (up to 8TB DDR5).
  • Diverse storage configurations with high NVMe support.
  • Enhanced network connectivity with OCP 3.0 and PCIe Gen5.
  • Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) options for very dense and powerful configurations.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • High flexibility in disk cage configuration (8, 10, 16, 18, 24 SFF or 8, 12 LFF, as well as 30 SFF).
  • Possibility to add a universal media bay.
  • HPE Flex Slot flexible power supplies that fit various HPE server models.
  • Support for HPE Persistent Memory, which expands capabilities for specialized workloads.

  Conclusion: Both servers are very flexible. The R760 stands out with its latest architecture that allows for higher scalability and integration of future technologies. The DL380 Gen10 offers high flexibility in storage configurations and compatibility with the HPE ecosystem.

7. Efficiency

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • Energy Efficiency: High-efficiency power supplies (Titanium, Platinum), up to 3200W. Newer 4th/5th generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors often have a better performance-per-watt ratio compared to previous generations.
  • Cooling: Intelligent cooling control and optional liquid cooling to optimize power consumption under high loads.
  • Performance per Watt: With the latest technology, the R760 delivers significantly better performance per Watt than previous generations, resulting in lower operating costs.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • Energy efficiency: HPE Flex Slot high-efficiency power supplies (80 PLUS Platinum and Titanium, up to 96% efficiency).
  • Cooling: Efficient cooling system optimized for standard air environments.
  • Performance per Watt: Good for its generation, but inferior to the R760 due to the use of older processors and DDR4 memory.

  Conclusion: The Dell R760 has an advantage in energy efficiency and performance per watt thanks to the use of the latest components, which can lead to significant energy savings in the long run.

8. Management

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • iDRAC9 (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller): A robust platform for remote server lifecycle management, including deployment, monitoring, updates, and troubleshooting.
  • Dell OpenManage Enterprise: A comprehensive console for centralized management of Dell infrastructure, including servers, storage, and networks.
  • API and Redfish: Advanced capabilities for automation and integration with existing management tools.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • HPE iLO 5 (Integrated Lights-Out): An intuitive and powerful remote management system that offers monitoring, diagnostics, and management capabilities.
  • HPE OneView: Software-defined infrastructure management that enables you to automate operations and deployment patterns for servers, storage, and networks.
  • HPE InfoSight: AI-driven operations that deliver predictive analytics and recommendations to optimize performance and availability.
  • Redfish and Ansible: Support for automation and DevOps.

  Conclusion: Both companies offer mature and functional management platforms. HPE iLO 5 and OneView combined with InfoSight provide a very powerful set of automation and proactive management tools, while Dell iDRAC9 and OpenManage Enterprise are also market leaders. It can be said that they are on par, with a slight advantage for HPE in proactive analytics (InfoSight).

9. Consumables

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • Processors: Intel Xeon Scalable 4th/5th generation.
  • Memory: DDR5 RDIMM.
  • Drives: 2.5" and 3.5" SAS/SATA HDD/SSD, NVMe SSD (U.2, E3.S formats).
  • Power supplies: 700W, 800W, 1100W, 1400W, 1800W, 2400W, 2800W, 3200W (hot-swap, Titanium/Platinum).
  • RAID controllers: Dell PERC H965i, H755, H355, HBA355i.
  • Network cards: OCP 3.0 and PCIe adapters (1GbE, 10GbE, 25GbE, 100GbE+).
  • BOSS-N1 modules.
  • GPU: NVIDIA, AMD.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • Processors: Intel Xeon Scalable 1st/2nd generation.
  • Memory: DDR4 SmartMemory.
  • Drives: 2.5" and 3.5" SAS/SATA HDD/SSD, NVMe SSD.
  • Power supplies: HPE Flex Slot (500W, 800W, 1600W), hot-swap, Platinum/Titanium.
  • RAID controllers: HPE Smart Array (e.g. P408i-a).
  • Network cards: HPE FlexibleLOM and PCIe adapters.
  • HPE Persistent Memory modules.

  Conclusion: The R760 uses the latest technologies (DDR5, PCIe Gen5), which means its components may be more expensive initially, but provide higher performance. The DL380 Gen10, being an older model, may have more readily available parts and components on the market, especially for legacy configurations. However, for high-performance R760 configurations, the cost of the components will be proportional to their performance.

10. Price

• Dell PowerEdge R760:

  • Base configuration: Higher starting price (starting at $4,879.00, typical configurations from $8,000-$15,000+).
  • Configuration cost: Increases significantly with the addition of high-performance processors, large amounts of DDR5 memory, NVMe drives, and GPUs.
  • Value: The higher price is due to the latest architecture, higher performance, and future-proofing.

• HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10:

  • Base configuration: Significantly lower initial cost (starting at $2,668.00, typical configurations from $3,000-$9,000).
  • Configuration cost: Increases depending on processors, memory, and storage, but overall remains lower than the R760.
  • Value: Excellent price-performance ratio for a wide range of enterprise workloads. May be more cost-effective for organizations that don't need absolute cutting-edge performance.

  Conclusion: The HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 is significantly more affordable than the Dell PowerEdge R760 at the entry level and in similar (albeit less powerful) configurations. The R760 is a more expensive solution, but justifies its price for scenarios that require the highest performance and advanced technologies.

Overall conclusion

The Dell PowerEdge R760 is the best choice for:

• Organizations that need maximum performance for HPC, AI/ML, complex data analytics, and large virtualized environments.
• Companies looking to invest in the latest technologies (DDR5, PCIe Gen5, 4th/5th Gen Xeon Scalable) to ensure future scalability and efficiency.
• Environments where optimized GPU acceleration is important.

The HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 is an excellent choice for:

• Medium and large enterprises looking for a proven, reliable, and flexible solution for a wide range of corporate workloads.
• Organizations that value deep integration with HPE management tools (iLO, OneView, InfoSight) and advanced security features (Trusted Supply Chain).
• Budget-oriented solutions that still require high reliability and functionality, but do not require the latest architectural advantages of the R760.

The choice between these two servers should be based on specific workload requirements, available budget, existing infrastructure, and management system preferences from a particular vendor.