HP High-End Virtualization Server 16-Core 512GB RAM 24TB - Renewed

Our review of the HP High-End Virtualization Server highlights a platform built for dense virtualization and memory-hungry workloads. With dual E5-2660 8-core CPUs delivering 16 cores, a massive 512GB of DDR3 RAM and 12 hot-swap 3.5' bays populated with 2TB SAS drives for 24TB raw capacity, this renewed ProLiant DL380 G8 is aimed at small data centers, labs and advanced homelab builders who need sustained consolidation and storage density without new-hardware price. The main reason to buy is the combination of high core count and very large memory capacity in a single 2U chassis, which keeps VM density high and reduces rack footprint.

Key Features

• Dual 8-Core CPUs: Two Intel E5-2660 CPUs provide 16 physical cores for consistent multi-VM performance and parallel compute tasks.
• 512GB DDR3 RAM: Large memory capacity supports dozens of virtual machines or memory intensive applications without constant swapping.
• 24TB Hot-Swap Storage: Twelve 2TB 7,200 RPM SAS drives deliver high-capacity local storage with easy drive replacement for maintenance.
• Smart Array P420i: Built-in RAID controller with 512MB cache helps protect data and improves sustained I/O for virtual disks.
• Networking and Redundancy: Four 1Gbe NIC ports and dual 460W power supplies provide basic network connectivity and power failover for uptime.
• Server OS Included: Ships with Windows Server 2019 Standard Evaluation, allowing immediate testing of Windows-based virtualization.

Who It's For

This server is ideal for IT professionals, system integrators and serious homelab users who need a compact 2U box that delivers both compute and large local capacity for virtualization, testing clusters, or storage-heavy applications. It works well as a hypervisor host for ESXi, Hyper-V or Proxmox where high memory and multiple cores are key.

Those who should look elsewhere include buyers who require the latest CPU microarchitecture, NVMe-only storage, or very low-power systems for continuous home use; newer servers offer better single-threaded performance and energy efficiency. Also consider modern platforms if you need built-in 10G networking or current generation processors.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High VM density potential thanks to 16 physical cores and 512GB of RAM in a single 2U server.
• Large local storage with 12x 2TB SAS drives gives 24TB raw capacity and hot-swap convenience for maintenance.
• Hardware RAID via Smart Array P420i with 512MB cache enhances sustained I/O and data protection options.

Cons

• Uses older DDR3 memory and E5-2660 CPUs, so single-threaded performance and power efficiency lag newer platforms.

Specifications

Model	ProLiant DL380 G8 12-Bay LFF
Processors	2 x Intel E5-2660 2.20GHz (8-core each, 16 cores total)
Memory	512GB DDR3 RAM
Storage	12 x 2TB 7,200 RPM SAS 3.5' HDD (24TB raw)
RAID Controller	Smart Array P420i with 512MB cache
Networking	4 x 1Gbe NIC
Power	2 x 460W redundant PSUs
Software	Windows Server 2019 Standard Evaluation included

Our Verdict

The HP DL380 G8 renewed server is a practical choice for buyers who prioritize memory capacity and drive density over the absolute newest CPU performance. It offers excellent value for virtualization labs, development clusters and on-premises test environments where 16 cores and half a terabyte of RAM allow many concurrent VMs. For those needing cutting-edge efficiency or NVMe speeds, a newer platform would be preferable, but for raw VM density per dollar this unit remains compelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this server include an operating system?
It ships with Windows Server 2019 Standard Evaluation, suitable for testing; production licenses must be obtained separately.

Can the storage be reconfigured to RAID?
Yes, the Smart Array P420i supports multiple RAID levels and the 512MB cache helps with performance and data protection.

Is the memory expandable?
The server comes with 512GB DDR3 and can be reconfigured or expanded further depending on available DIMM slots and module sizes supported by the G8 platform.