HPE ProLiant generations

Unlike Dell, HPE puts the generation in plain text: a DL380 Gen10 is exactly what it says. The parts worth decoding are the rest of the name.

So a DL360 Gen10 and a DL380 Gen10 are the same generation and broadly the same platform; the DL380 is the 2U version with far more drive bays and expansion room, and it is usually worth more as a result.

The generations at a glance

Gen10 Plus is a genuine generation, not a marketing refresh. It is a different platform to Gen10 with different processors, and it is worth materially more. If you have these, make sure the "Plus" makes it onto the list — it is the most commonly dropped word in ProLiant asset registers and it costs sellers money.

The AMD line

Easy to miss if you are working from a spreadsheet, because the numbering sits outside the familiar 360/380 pattern:

• DL325 — 1U, single-socket AMD EPYC
• DL345 — 2U, single-socket EPYC
• DL385 — 2U, dual-socket EPYC

These run from Gen10 onward and are worth calling out separately when you send a list. A single-socket EPYC machine can carry a very high core count in one processor, so "one CPU fitted" does not mean what it would on an Intel box. More on that here →

What each generation is like to sell

Gen11 and Gen12

Current hardware, DDR5, and priced accordingly. Usually released through lease returns or project changes rather than age. Worth a detailed conversation — at this end the processor and memory configuration drives the figure far more than the chassis does.

Gen10 Plus

Ice Lake, still DDR4, and in strong demand. Frequently the most valuable thing in a mixed HPE batch, and frequently mislabelled as plain Gen10 on the way out of the door.

Gen10

The volume generation, and the ProLiant equivalent of Dell's 14th. Large numbers deployed, plenty of demand, easy to move. A well-populated DL380 Gen10 is a solid, uncomplicated sale.

Gen9

Where value starts falling away. Still buyable, particularly in quantity or when well populated, but the memory and drives may be carrying more of the value than the chassis. HPE ProLiant tends to hold circulation in the used market slightly better than most, so Gen9 is often worth asking about even when an equivalent-age machine from another vendor would not be.

Gen8

DDR3 and long past. Case by case, generally as part of a larger batch. Ask us rather than assuming either way.

How to identify what you have

• The front of the chassis — the model and generation are usually printed on the bezel or on the pull-out tab at the front.
• The serial label — a pull-out tag carrying the serial and product number. The product number identifies the original build configuration.
• iLO — HPE's out-of-band management. The overview page gives model, serial, processors and memory without needing to touch the operating system, and it is the quickest way to inventory a rack you still have access to.
• A photo of the tags — send them over. We identify these daily and it is usually faster than typing a list.

Small things that carry real value

• Drive caddies — worth money in their own right. If you are keeping the drives, keep them out of the caddies and send the caddies with the chassis.
• Rail kits — commonly left in the rack. Worth retrieving.
• Both power supplies — dual fitted beats single, and single beats none by a long way.
• Smart Array controllers and cache modules — priced separately and easily overlooked.

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