HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 GPUs & Accessories

GPU & Accelerator Overview

The HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen11 supports GPU accelerators for workloads including high-performance computing, data center graphics, deep learning, and virtual desktop deployments.

The current QuickSpecs list two NVIDIA GPU options for the DL360 Gen11: the NVIDIA A2 and NVIDIA L4 24GB PCIe Accelerator. GPU configurations have additional requirements involving cooling, processor TDP, PCIe slot availability, chassis type, storage configuration, and ambient temperature.

Supported GPU Accelerators

The DL360 Gen11 QuickSpecs list the following GPU accelerators.

General GPU Configuration Rules

• Mixing different graphics options is not allowed.
• The BIOS setting Increased Cooling must be selected. The normal default setting is Optimal Cooling.
• Configurations containing graphics cards do not qualify for Energy Star 4.0 certification.
• Standard heatsinks and standard fan kits are not supported when a GPU is installed.
• GPU configurations require high-performance fans.
• For best performance across common workloads, HPE recommends system main memory totaling at least twice the memory capacity of all installed GPUs.
• The server supports GPU adapters with a maximum length of 9.5 inches. Full-length GPU adapters are not supported.

NVIDIA A2 GPU Accelerator

The NVIDIA A2 R9H23C is a supported GPU option for the DL360 Gen11. Its supported processor, storage, temperature, and cooling configuration depends on the chassis and cooling solution.

NVIDIA A2 Installation Rules

• High Performance Fan Kit P48908-B21 is required for the air-cooled GPU configuration.
• The A2 can be installed in PCIe Slot 1 and PCIe Slot 3 when the second processor required for Slot 3 is installed.
• The QuickSpecs note that earlier A2 hardware had mechanical interference at Slot 2. A new low-profile bracket in the A2 kit was expected to make the GPU available in all three slots.
• With a processor above 270W in the 8 SFF CTO model, a graphics configuration is limited to a maximum of eight NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives.
• In the EDSFF CTO model, a GPU with a processor above 270W requires a Direct Liquid Cooling Module.

NVIDIA L4 24GB PCIe Accelerator

The NVIDIA L4 24GB PCIe Accelerator for HPE S0K89C is supported in the DL360 Gen11. HPE lists support in PCIe Slots 1, 2, and 3, subject to processor and riser availability.

NVIDIA L4 Installation Rules

• High Performance Fan Kit P48908-B21 is required for the air-cooled configuration.
• The L4 can be installed in PCIe Slot 1, Slot 2, or Slot 3.
• PCIe Slot 3 requires the second processor to be installed.
• The DL360 Gen11 supports GPU adapters up to 9.5 inches long; full-length adapters are not supported.
• With a processor above 270W in an 8 SFF CTO model, the graphics configuration is limited to a maximum of eight NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives.
• In an EDSFF CTO model, selecting a graphics option with a processor above 270W requires a Direct Liquid Cooling Module.

GPU Cooling Accessories

GPU configurations require upgraded server cooling. The QuickSpecs identify the following cooling components in the GPU configuration matrices.

GPU and PCIe Slot Requirements

GPU installation depends on the available PCIe risers and slots. The DL360 Gen11 PCIe slotting rules prioritize GPGPU adapters after storage controllers and certain networking adapters.

HPE specifically states that an HHHL low-profile GPGPU card should be installed in PCIe Slot 3 when a stand-up Tri-Mode storage controller is installed in PCIe Slot 1 or Slot 2. PCIe Slot 3 availability depends on the server riser configuration and requires the second processor for GPU configurations identified by HPE.

GPU and Processor Restrictions

Processor wattage has a direct impact on GPU support. With High Performance Fan cooling, HPE lists support for the NVIDIA A2 and L4 with processors up to 270W in the 4 LFF and SFF configurations. In the 20 EDSFF configuration, the air-cooled CPU limit is lower: up to 205W with the NVIDIA A2 and up to 225W with the NVIDIA L4.

Higher-TDP processors can require Closed-loop Liquid Cooling or Direct Liquid Cooling. In an 8 SFF CTO server, a graphics option combined with a processor above 270W limits the system to a maximum of eight NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives. In an EDSFF CTO server, a graphics option combined with a processor above 270W requires a DLC Module.

GPU and Storage Restrictions

GPU selection can reduce the number or type of storage devices supported when liquid cooling or high-TDP processors are used.

• For an 8 SFF CTO model using an NVIDIA graphics option with Closed-loop Liquid Cooling, HPE limits the configuration to a maximum of eight NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives.
• For an EDSFF CTO model using an NVIDIA graphics option with Closed-loop Liquid Cooling, EDSFF drives cannot be selected.
• In an 8 SFF CTO model with a graphics option and a processor above 270W, a maximum of eight NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives can be selected.
• In an EDSFF CTO model with a graphics option and a processor above 270W, a Direct Liquid Cooling Module is required.

GPU and Memory

HPE recommends configuring system main memory with a total capacity of at least twice the combined memory capacity of all GPUs for best performance across common workloads.

The GPU configuration matrices document configurations with up to 32 x 128 GB DIMMs. Additional server thermal rules can apply to high-capacity DIMMs, so memory, GPU, processor, and cooling choices should be considered together.