HPE ProLiant DL380 G6 Processors
Genuine HPE processor option kits for the HPE ProLiant DL380 G6, new and refurbished. The server takes up to two Intel Xeon 5500 or 5600 series processors on the Intel 5520 chipset, and HPE does not support mixing different processor models — so a second CPU has to match the first exactly.
DL380 G6 Processor Specifications
- Sockets: two, upgradeable to two processors and twelve cores
- Families: Intel Xeon 5500 and 5600 series; the letter before the model number denotes the class, with X for high performance, E for mainstream enterprise and L for lower wattage
- Quad-core kits stocked: the 95W X5570, X5560 and X5550, the 80W E5540, E5530, E5520, E5506 and E5504, and the 60W L5530, L5520 and L5506
- Dual-core kit stocked: the E5502 at 1.86GHz, 4MB of L3 cache and 80W
- Cache: 12MB of level 3 cache on 5600 sequence parts, 8MB on most 5500 sequence parts, and 4MB on the E5506, L5506, E5504 and E5502
- Kit contents: every processor kit listed here is complete with heatsink and fan or fans
A second processor does more than add cores. With only one CPU installed, half the eighteen DIMM slots are unavailable, so adding the second is what opens the rest of the memory capacity, and it brings two more fans with it. It must be the same model as the first — HPE does not support mixing processor models in one server.
Which Xeon 5500 kit does this server want?
| Class | Example | Wattage | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| X — high performance | X5570 2.93GHz 4-core | 95W | Clock-sensitive work, and the only class that holds 1333MHz memory |
| E — mainstream | E5540 2.53GHz 4-core | 80W | General virtualisation and application hosting |
| L — lower wattage | L5530 2.40GHz 4-core | 60W | Density and power budget over peak clock |
| Dual-core | E5502 1.86GHz 2-core | 80W | Light or licence-constrained roles where core count is not the point |
On this platform the letter matters as much as the core count, because only the 95W X parts allow 1333MHz memory; everything else runs the DIMMs at up to 1066MHz however they are rated. The twelve-core ceiling comes from the six-core Xeon 5600 parts, which HPE lists for this server under DL380 G7 kit part numbers rather than G6 ones, so the kits on this page are the quad-core and dual-core 5500 series. On an upgrade, the wattage class already fitted is a good guide to what the chassis was provisioned for.
Choosing the Right DL380 G6 Processor
- A second processor must match the first. Mixing different processor models is not supported, so going to two CPUs means two of the same kit unless the existing one is being replaced.
- A second processor unlocks the other half of the memory. With one CPU installed only half the DIMM slots are available, which is often the real reason to add one.
- Only 95W parts hold 1333MHz memory. If the server runs PC3-10600 DIMMs and you want them at their rated speed, the processor choice narrows to the X5550, X5560 and X5570.
- Check the power supply against the wattage. Two 95W processors and a full drive cage is a different power budget from two 60W parts.
- Pricing here moves with supply. Processor kits for this generation are quoted rather than carrying a fixed shelf price, so the figure shown against a kit reflects availability at the time you look.
Complete Your DL380 G6 Build
Processor choice sets both the memory clock and the power draw — see DL380 G6 memory and power supplies alongside this page. Also available: DL380 G6 hard drives, storage controllers and networking adapters, or the full DL380 G6 parts listing and the HPE parts by server model index.
DL380 G6 Processors FAQ
Which processors does the DL380 G6 support?
Intel Xeon 5500 and 5600 series, up to two of them. The quad-core 5500 parts run from the 95W X5570 down to the 60W L5506, with a dual-core E5502 at the entry end, and HPE also lists six-core 5600 parts for this server.
Can I mix different processors in a DL380 G6?
No. HPE does not support mixing different processor models in the same server. Both sockets must carry the same part.
Does adding a second processor do anything besides add cores?
Yes. With only one processor installed, half the DIMM slots are unavailable, so the second CPU is what opens the rest of the memory capacity. It also adds two more system fans, taking the server from four to six.
Do DL380 G6 processor kits include a heatsink?
Yes. Every processor option kit listed for this server comes complete with heatsink and fan or fans.
What do the X, E and L letters mean?
They denote performance and wattage class. X is high performance and high wattage, E is mainstream enterprise, and L is lower wattage for density or power-constrained racks.
Which processor gives the best memory speed?
A 95 Watt part - on this listing the X5550, X5560 or X5570. HPE requires a 95W CPU for 1333MHz DIMM speeds; every other processor in the family runs memory at up to 1066MHz.
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