Dell PowerEdge R740 vs HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10
The Dell PowerEdge R740 and HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 are the two most-deployed 2U enterprise servers of the 2018-2024 era — both still dominant in the refurbished market. Here's how they actually compare.
Quick Verdict
Both servers are excellent, with strong refurbished availability and abundant spare parts. Dell R740 has slightly better PCIe slot flexibility; HPE DL380 Gen10 has more polished iLO management. Pick by brand familiarity — both perform identically for typical workloads.
Side-by-Side Spec Comparison
| Spec | Dell PowerEdge R740 | HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 2U Rack | 2U Rack |
| CPU Generation | Intel Xeon Scalable 1st/2nd Gen (Skylake/Cascade Lake) | Intel Xeon Scalable 1st/2nd Gen |
| Max CPU | 2x Xeon Platinum 8280 (28c) | 2x Xeon Platinum 8280 (28c) |
| Memory Slots | 24 DDR4 RDIMM/LRDIMM | 24 DDR4 RDIMM/LRDIMM |
| Max Memory | 3 TB | 3 TB |
| Drive Bays | 8/16/24 SFF or 8/12 LFF | 8/16/24 SFF or 8/12 LFF |
| PCIe Slots | 8x (with 2 risers) | 6x (more restrictive layout) |
| Remote Management | iDRAC9 | iLO 5 |
| Refurbished Price (typical) | $1,800-3,200 | $2,000-3,500 |
Green-highlighted cells indicate the winner for that spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Dell R740 or HPE DL380 Gen10?
Both are excellent. Dell R740 has slightly better PCIe expandability and is typically $100-300 cheaper refurbished. HPE DL380 Gen10 has more polished iLO 5 remote management. Pick by your team's existing brand familiarity — both perform identically for general workloads.
Are they on the same VMware HCL?
Yes — both are on the VMware vSphere 7.0 and 8.0 HCL. Both are vSAN-ready (Dell has explicit "vSAN Ready Node" pricing, HPE has equivalent reference architectures).
Can I move parts between them?
Some — DDR4 RDIMM modules are interchangeable. CPU SKUs are interchangeable (same socket FCLGA3647). Drives are physically compatible but caddies differ (Dell caddy vs HPE Smart Carrier). PSUs are NOT interchangeable.
Our Recommendation
For most buyers, either platform is fine — pick by brand familiarity, existing support contracts, or refurbished availability. If forced to choose blind, Dell R740 has slightly better refurbished pricing and PCIe flexibility.
Need help deciding?
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with your specific requirements. Our team will match you to the right product based on your workload, budget, and existing infrastructure.