HP ProLiant DL380 Gen9 vs Dell PowerEdge R730xd
Both are 2U dual-socket servers on the same Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 platform with DDR4 ECC, so raw compute is roughly a wash. The real split is storage and management: the R730xd is built around many drives, the DL380 Gen9 around HPE's iLO ecosystem. Pick the Dell if you want a big ZFS or TrueNAS box, the HP if you value iLO and easier HPE parts.
HP ProLiant DL380 Gen9
- +HPE iLO4 remote management is mature and pleasant to use day-to-day
- +Wide HPE spare-parts ecosystem (caddies, rails, PSUs, fans) on the used market
- +Solid all-rounder 2U for virtualization, Proxmox nodes and general compute
- +Same E5-2600 v3/v4 CPUs and DDR4 ECC as the R730xd, so no compute disadvantage
- −Fewer drive bays than the R730xd in its high-density configs, weaker for big storage builds
- −iLO Advanced features (remote console) may need a license depending on the listing
Dell PowerEdge R730xd
- +Storage-focused chassis with more drive bays for ZFS/TrueNAS/Unraid pools
- +Dell iDRAC8 remote management, well known and widely documented in homelabs
- +Same E5-2600 v3/v4 platform and DDR4 ECC, equal CPU/RAM options
- +Huge used-market supply of caddies, rails and parts
- −Overkill and pricier if you don't actually need the extra drive bays
- −iDRAC Enterprise (full remote console) may require a license on some units
Verdict
Take the R730xd if storage is the point: a NAS, ZFS pool or media server where drive bays matter most. Take the DL380 Gen9 if you mainly want a virtualization/compute box and prefer iLO plus the HPE parts ecosystem. Compute is equal, so let drive count and your management preference decide.
HP ProLiant DL380 Gen9
HP ProLiant DL380 Gen9 2U Server no CPU no RAM no HDD 2x Heatsink 8Bay 2,5 Zoll
HP ProLiant DL380 Gen9 Server no CPU no RAM 2xHS P840 12 LFF+ 2x2,5 als Storage
HP ProLiant DL380 Gen9 xeon E5-2609 v4 32GB DDR4 ECC 2x 500GB SAS RACK SERVER
Dell PowerEdge R730xd
Dell PowerEdge R730XD LFF 2x Intel Xeon E5-2620 v4 2x PSU 12x LFF 2x SFF No RAM
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Rack Server 2U ohne CPU mit 2x Kühler ohne RAM 24x SFF 2.5
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Rack Server 2U ohne CPU mit 2x Kühler ohne RAM 24x SFF 2.5
Frequently asked questions
Which one is better for a TrueNAS or ZFS build?
The R730xd. Its chassis is built for high drive density (up to 12x 3.5-inch plus rear flex bays, or 24x 2.5-inch), which matters most for large pools. Add an HBA in IT mode and it's a strong storage server.
Is iLO or iDRAC the better remote management?
Both are mature and do the same job (remote power, console, sensors). iLO4 (HP) and iDRAC8 (Dell) are roughly equal; pick whichever ecosystem you already know. Check the listing for a license that unlocks the remote console.
Do they use the same CPUs and RAM?
Yes. Both run Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3/v4 with DDR4 ECC registered memory, so CPU and RAM upgrades are essentially interchangeable in capability between the two.