HPE ProLiant DL388 Gen9 Memory

Genuine HPE SmartMemory for the HPE ProLiant DL388 Gen9, new and refurbished. Every kit listed here is a DDR4-2133 module, and the processor fitted decides the speed it actually runs at — 1600, 1866 or 2133MHz — so on this platform a memory upgrade starts by reading the CPU, not the DIMM.

DL388 Gen9 Memory Specifications

• Type: HPE SmartMemory DDR4 Registered (RDIMM) and Load Reduced (LRDIMM), all rated DDR4-2133 at CAS 15-15-15; the two types may not be mixed in one server
• Registered kits: 4GB and 8GB single-rank, 8GB dual-rank x8 and 16GB dual-rank x4
• Load Reduced kits: 16GB dual-rank x4 and 32GB quad-rank x4, the route to capacity when the channels are already full
• Slots and channels: 12 DIMM slots per processor — four memory channels, three DIMM slots on each; install DIMMs only against a processor that is fitted, so a single-processor server can use half of them
• Speed by processor: 1600MHz on the entry kits, 1866MHz through the E5-2620 v3 to E5-2640 v3 class, and 2133MHz on E5-2637 v3, E5-2643 v3 and every faster kit listed
• Kit contents: every option kit here is a single DIMM, so a six-module fill is six kits

On this platform the processor, not the module, sets the memory speed. Every kit listed here is DDR4-2133, but an E5-2603 v3 or E5-2609 v3 will run it at 1600MHz and the E5-2620 v3 to E5-2640 v3 class at 1866MHz. Only the E5-2637 v3, E5-2643 v3 and faster kits reach 2133MHz — and Registered DIMMs drop to 1600MHz once all three slots on a channel are filled.

What Speed Will Your DIMMs Actually Run At?

The processor is a ceiling the memory cannot climb over: fit DDR4-2133 modules behind an E5-2603 v3 and they run at 1600MHz, and no faster kit changes that. Filling the third slot on every channel costs speed too, which is the case for Load Reduced modules — they carry more capacity per slot, so the same total can be reached without going to three deep.

Choosing the Right DL388 Gen9 Memory

• Read the processor before the part number. The two entry kits pin every DIMM in the server to 1600MHz, so a faster module buys nothing until the CPU changes.
• Registered and Load Reduced cannot be mixed. Whichever type is fitted today is what an upgrade has to match, and converting a server means replacing every module in it.
• Balance the two processors. Spread capacity evenly between them and load the channels similarly; fill the first slot of every channel before doubling up on any of them.
• Put the heaviest module furthest from the processor. Within a channel, populate from the most ranks to the fewest — a quad-rank Load Reduced module goes in the outermost slot.
• DDR3 from a G7 or Gen8 server will not work here. This is a DDR4 platform, and memory from earlier generations is not compatible with it.

Complete Your DL388 Gen9 Build

Memory speed is set by the processor, so read DL388 Gen9 processors alongside this page. For the rest of the server, browse DL388 Gen9 drives, storage controllers, networking adapters and power supplies, or start from the full DL388 Gen9 parts listing. Background reading: understanding memory rank, why memory speed matters and a memory upgrade checklist.

DL388 Gen9 Memory FAQ

What memory does the HPE ProLiant DL388 Gen9 use?
HPE SmartMemory DDR4-2133, in Registered and Load Reduced form. The kits listed for this server run from 4GB to 32GB, and each option kit is a single DIMM rather than a matched pair.

Can I mix RDIMM and LRDIMM in a DL388 Gen9?
No. Registered and Load Reduced memory may not be mixed in the same server. Check which type is fitted before ordering, because converting from one to the other means replacing every module.

Why is my DL388 Gen9 memory running at 1600MHz?
Either the processor or the population depth. The E5-2603 v3 and E5-2609 v3 run memory at 1600MHz whatever DIMM is fitted, and filling all three slots on a channel brings Registered DIMMs down to 1600MHz as well.

How many memory slots does each processor have?
Twelve - four memory channels per processor with three DIMM slots on each. DIMMs only work against a processor that is installed, so a server with one CPU fitted can use half of its slots.

In what order should DIMMs be installed?
Fill the first slot of every channel before putting a second DIMM on any channel, keep capacity balanced between the two processors, and within a channel put the module with the most ranks furthest from the processor.

Will memory from a DL380 G7 or Gen8 server fit?
No. Those are DDR3 platforms and this one is DDR4. The modules are physically and electrically different, and HPE memory from earlier generation servers is not compatible.

✅ Looking for a specific DL388 Gen9 memory module? Browse our full selection below.

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