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HPE's MSA 2050 and 2060 look similar at a glance, but a new controller ASIC, more cache, and MSA-DP+ separate them. Here's how the Gen5 and Gen6 SAN arrays compare — and which one fits.
Last updated: 2026
The HPE MSA 2050 and MSA 2060 are both dual-controller SAN storage arrays aimed at small and midsize businesses, offering Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and SAS connectivity with automated tiering. The key difference is generation: the MSA 2050 is the 5th-generation (Gen5) array, while the MSA 2060, launched in 2020, is the 6th-generation (Gen6) model built on a custom HPE ASIC with more cache, faster performance, and MSA-DP+ data protection. This guide breaks down what actually changed, the one compatibility gotcha to watch, and how to choose.
MSA 2050 vs MSA 2060 at a glance
| Feature | MSA 2050 (Gen5) | MSA 2060 (Gen6) |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 5th-gen MSA | 6th-gen MSA (2020) |
| Controllers | Dual, active/active | Dual, active/active + custom HPE ASIC |
| Cache per controller | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Relative performance | Baseline | Up to ~80% more IOPS / 75% more throughput |
| Host port personality | Converged — transceiver sets FC or iSCSI | Fixed — ordered as FC, iSCSI, or SAS |
| Disk groups | Traditional RAID | RAID + MSA-DP+ (faster rebuilds) |
| Cache protection | Super-capacitor + CompactFlash (battery-free) | Super-capacitor + CompactFlash (battery-free) |
The short version: for a new deployment, the MSA 2060 is the go-forward array — more cache, more performance, and MSA-DP+. The MSA 2050 still makes sense if you're extending an existing 2050/2052 environment. Just don't assume drives carry over between them (more on that below).
What's new in the Gen6 MSA 2060
The headline change is a custom HPE ASIC paired with a larger 12 GB cache per controller (24 GB across the array), up from 8 GB per controller on the 2050. That hardware uplift drives the performance gains: the 2060 launched claiming up to 45% higher IOPS and 75% higher sequential throughput over the 2050/2052, and a later controller firmware update pushed it further — HPE now positions the 2060 at up to 80% faster, delivering up to 395,000 IOPS. (This is why the older "45%" and "395,000 IOPS" figures you'll still see quoted together are really the launch number and the post-firmware number, not two claims about the same release.)
The 2060 also introduces MSA-DP+ (Data Protection Plus), HPE's virtualized RAID that spreads data and spare capacity across a wide group of 12 to 120 disks. Compared with traditional fixed RAID sets, MSA-DP+ improves performance and dramatically shortens rebuild times after a drive failure. Both generations still protect cache the same battery-free way — a fast-charging super-capacitor plus a CompactFlash card — so neither array needs cache batteries to maintain.
Host connectivity: the biggest practical difference
This is the change most likely to affect a purchase decision. The MSA 2050 uses converged host ports: you install the transceivers to set the port "personality," so the same controller can be configured for Fibre Channel or iSCSI. The MSA 2060 drops the converged option — its controllers ship with a fixed personality that you choose at order time: 8/16 Gb Fibre Channel, 10GbE or 10GBase-T iSCSI, or 12 Gb SAS. It's a small loss of flexibility in exchange for the new ASIC and performance, but it means you have to specify the right 2060 controller for your fabric up front.
Capacity and scalability
Both arrays scale out with additional drive enclosures, but the 2060 raises the ceiling. A Gen6 MSA 2060 supports up to 240 SFF (2.5") drives or 120 LFF (3.5") drives across up to nine drive enclosures, with each controller managing a storage pool of up to 1 PB (two pools per array). It also supports both SFF and LFF enclosures and the full range of MSA drive types — SSDs, Enterprise SAS, and Midline SAS — so you can build hybrid configurations that balance performance and capacity. The 2050 tops out lower, which is one more reason the 2060 is the better base for an environment expected to grow.
Automated tiering and the ADSS license
Both arrays use three-tier automated tiering that moves data between a Performance tier (SSD), a Standard tier (Enterprise SAS), and an Archive tier (Midline SAS), with all page movement handled automatically based on how hot the data is. On the 2060, the Standard and Archive tiers are included, but the SSD Performance tier requires the HPE MSA Advanced Data Services Suite (ADSS) license. That same license also raises the snapshot count from 64 to 512 and enables Remote Snap for asynchronous replication to a second MSA. If you'd rather not add it separately, the MSA 2062 bundles two SSDs and the ADSS license into the array from the start.
A critical compatibility note: drives don't carry over
If you're upgrading from a 2050 to a 2060, plan for new drives. Gen5 MSA drives (from the MSA 2050/2052) are not compatible with the Gen6 MSA 2060/2062 arrays. The array only accepts drives qualified for its generation, so you can't simply move your existing 2050 drives into a 2060. Match the drive to the exact array:
- MSA 2050 / 2052 — MSA 2050 SSDs and MSA 2050 HDDs
- MSA 2060 / 2062 — MSA 2060 SSDs and MSA 2060 HDDs
Using genuine HPE MSA drives qualified for your array is what keeps tiering, sparing, and enclosure health reporting working as designed — and that's what we stock.
Which MSA should you choose?
Choose the MSA 2060 for any new purchase or a growing environment. The bigger cache, custom ASIC, MSA-DP+, and higher drive count make it the stronger platform for demanding databases, virtual desktop infrastructure, and mixed workloads — and as HPE's current-generation MSA, it remains available today with a clear upgrade path.
Stay with the MSA 2050 when you're expanding an existing 2050/2052 fleet, need the converged host-port flexibility, or find one that fits a tight budget for steady small-business workloads. It's still a capable array; it's simply the prior generation.
Where to buy HPE MSA drives
Start from your exact array so you get generation-qualified drives, then filter by capacity and type:
- MSA 2060 / 2062 SSDs and MSA 2060 / 2062 HDDs
- MSA 2050 / 2052 SSDs and MSA 2050 / 2052 HDDs
- Browse all HPE MSA SSDs and HPE MSA HDDs
Not sure which drives your array takes? Contact us with your MSA model and we'll confirm the right drive before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the HPE MSA 2050 and MSA 2060?
Both are dual-controller HPE MSA SAN arrays for small and midsize businesses, but the MSA 2060 is the newer 6th-generation model. It adds a custom HPE ASIC, 12 GB of cache per controller (versus 8 GB on the 2050), MSA-DP+ disk groups with faster rebuilds, and higher performance and scalability. The 2050 is the previous 5th-generation array.
Is the MSA 2060 faster than the MSA 2050?
Yes. HPE positions the MSA 2060 at up to 80% higher IOPS and 75% higher sequential throughput than the 2050, delivering up to 395,000 IOPS with current controller firmware, thanks to its custom ASIC and larger 12 GB cache.
Can I use my MSA 2050 drives in an MSA 2060?
No. Gen5 MSA drives used in the MSA 2050/2052 are not compatible with the Gen6 MSA 2060/2062 arrays. If you move to a 2060, you need drives qualified for that array, so always match the drive to your specific MSA model.
What's the difference between the MSA 2060 and MSA 2062?
They are the same hardware. The MSA 2062 ships with two SSDs pre-installed and the Advanced Data Services Suite (ADSS) license included, which adds the SSD performance tier, 512 snapshots, and remote snapshot replication. The 2060 is the base array to which you add drives and licensing as needed.
Does the MSA 2060 support both Fibre Channel and iSCSI?
Yes, but you choose the protocol when you order. Unlike the 2050's converged host ports, where transceivers set FC or iSCSI, the 2060 controller is ordered with a fixed personality — 8/16 Gb Fibre Channel, 10GbE or 10GBase-T iSCSI, or 12 Gb SAS — so it is important to specify the right one for your fabric.
What is MSA-DP+?
MSA-DP+ (Data Protection Plus) is HPE's virtualized RAID for the MSA 2060. It spreads data and spare capacity across a wide group of 12 to 120 disks, which improves performance and dramatically shortens rebuild times after a drive failure compared with traditional fixed RAID sets.
Should I buy the MSA 2050 or MSA 2060 today?
The MSA 2060 is HPE's current-generation MSA array and remains available, so it's the default choice for new deployments and growth. The 2050 still suits existing 2050/2052 environments and steady small-business workloads, but for a new purchase the 2060 offers more cache, performance, and scalability.
The bottom line
The MSA 2050 and 2060 share the same MSA DNA — dual active/active controllers, battery-free cache protection, and automated tiering — but the Gen6 2060 is the meaningfully stronger array, with a custom ASIC, 50% more cache, MSA-DP+, higher scale, and up to 80% more performance. For most buyers today the 2060 is the right call; the 2050 remains a sensible fit for existing 2050/2052 estates. Whichever you run, the one rule to remember is that drives are generation-specific. Send us your MSA model or serial number and we'll match the right genuine HPE drives before you order.
