HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen12 Storage Controllers
Genuine HPE storage controllers for the HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen12, new and refurbished. The Gen12 portfolio is tri-mode — the QuickSpecs state all HPE MR RAID controllers support SAS, SATA, and NVMe — with Intel VROC covering direct-attached NVMe and the NS204i-u v2 handling boot.
DL320 Gen12 Storage Controller Specifications
- Essential RAID: MR216i-p and MR216i-o, x16 lanes without cache, in PCIe and OCP forms — the option list files the x32-lane PCIe Gen5 MR932i-p here too
- Performance RAID: MR408i-o (x8 lanes, 4GB cache, OCP), MR416i-o (x16 lanes, 8GB cache, OCP), and MR416i-p (x16 lanes, 8GB cache, PCIe)
- Cache protection: every Performance RAID controller requires a Li-ion battery or a Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor, and the notes allow one or the other, never both
- Boot: NS204i-u v2 480GB — two 480GB M.2 NVMe SSDs in preconfigured hardware RAID1, front, rear, or internal, occupying no PCIe slot
- Software RAID: Intel VROC on the CPU, up to 8 direct attach NVMe bays, RAID 0/1/5/10 by license, disabled by default, no SATA support
- External SAS: Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10, 8 external lanes, no cache, 12G SAS PCIe plug-in
Order the battery with the controller. Every Performance RAID controller — MR408i-o, MR416i-o, MR416i-p — requires a Li-ion battery or a Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor, and the notes allow one or the other, never both. The cache-less MR216i models need neither.
Which RAID controller does the DL320 Gen12 use?
| Controller | Form factor | Cache | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR216i-p / MR216i-o | PCIe / OCP | None | Passthrough, software-defined storage |
| MR932i-p | PCIe Gen5, x32 lanes | Not stated | The widest EDSFF fan-outs, up to 20 bays |
| MR408i-o | OCP | 4GB | Smaller cache-protected arrays |
| MR416i-o / MR416i-p | OCP / PCIe | 8GB | Mainstream protected hardware RAID |
| Smart Array E208e-p | PCIe | None | External 12G SAS: tape and JBOD |
Cabling is part of the decision. HPE lists MR932i-p cable kits for 8, 12, 16, and 20 EDSFF layouts, plus OROC, PCIe, and direct-attach kits per chassis — controller and cage order as a pair. Our NVMe in HPE servers guide covers the direct-attach alternative.
Choosing the Right DL320 Gen12 Storage Controller
- Budget cache protection with the card. MR408i-o, MR416i-o, and MR416i-p all require the 96W Smart Storage Li-ion battery or the Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor; the cache-less MR216i models need neither.
- -p versus -o is placement. With two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, OCP slot A embedded and slot B optional, an OCP controller competes with your network adapter for the same bay.
- Software-defined stacks want the cache-less MR216i, or direct-attached NVMe under Intel VROC with no card.
- Watch the boot-device interaction: rear hot-plug NS204i alongside the 2400W 73.5mm power supply requires the low-profile NS204i-t boot controller riser kit.
Complete Your DL320 Gen12 Build
Match your controller with DL320 Gen12 drives, then memory, processors, networking adapters, power supplies, or the full DL320 Gen12 parts page. Neighbors: DL320 Gen11 controllers and DL380 Gen12 storage controllers. Or browse all HPE parts by server model.
DL320 Gen12 Storage Controllers FAQ
Which RAID controllers are supported in the HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen12?
The HPE MR tri-mode family: MR216i-p and MR216i-o without cache, the x32-lane PCIe Gen5 MR932i-p, and the cached MR408i-o (4GB), MR416i-o (8GB), and MR416i-p (8GB). The Smart Array E208e-p SR Gen10 covers external 12G SAS, Intel VROC covers direct-attached NVMe, and the NS204i-u v2 handles boot.
Do DL320 Gen12 RAID controllers need a battery?
The cached ones do. The QuickSpecs state all Performance RAID controllers require a Li-ion battery or Smart Capacitor option, and that selecting the 96W Smart Storage Li-ion battery kit rules out the Smart Storage Hybrid Capacitor kit, and vice versa. The cache-less MR216i models need neither.
What is the difference between -p and -o controller models?
Mounting. The -p models are PCIe plug-in cards; the -o models install in an OCP bay. With two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots plus OCP slot A embedded and slot B optional, an OCP controller and an OCP network adapter compete for the same space.
Can the DL320 Gen12 boot without using a front drive bay?
Yes. The NS204i-u v2 480GB boot device holds two 480GB M.2 NVMe SSDs in preconfigured hardware RAID1, installs front hot-plug, rear hot-plug, or internal, and occupies no PCIe slot.
Do I need a RAID card to run NVMe in the DL320 Gen12?
No. Intel Virtual RAID on CPU supports up to 8 direct attach NVMe bays with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 depending on licensing. It is disabled by default and does not support SATA drives.
Why do the DL320 Gen12 controllers say Gen11 in their names?
Because that is how HPE names them. The MR216i, MR408i, and MR416i controllers listed for this server carry Gen11 in their product names, and the Gen12 QuickSpecs points to the Gen11 controller documentation for their detail. The MR932i-p is the PCIe Gen5 member of the listing.
✅ Looking for a specific DL320 Gen12 storage controller? Browse our full selection below.
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