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HPE - ProLiant DL380p Gen8 GPU Install

Supported GPUs for the HP ProLiant DL380p Gen8 are limited by the server's specific PCIe risers, 225W power constraints, and passive cooling requirements. Official and community-tested options include the NVIDIA GRID K1, K2, Tesla P100, Quadro K6000, or consumer cards like the NVIDIA Tesla M4/M60

Because the DL380 G8 requires specific hardware components for proper installation, you will need to pay attention to the following details:

  • Hardware & Riser Kits: You will need the HP Double Wide Riser Cage Kit (662885-B21) and the Secondary GPU Riser (728543-B21) to accommodate double-wide or full-height GPUs.
  • Power Cables: Standard server power cables will not fit most NVIDIA GPUs. You will need a custom 10-pin to 8-pin GPU power cable to draw power from the motherboard.
  • Power Supply: Operating dual GPUs requires dual 1200W power supply units (PSUs) and two physical processors installed
  • BIOS Configuration: For advanced GPUs (like the Tesla P100), you must enter the BIOS, press Ctrl + A at the main screen to reveal the "Service Options," and enable PCI Express 64-bit BAR Support.
  • iLO & POST Issues: Many modern GPUs (like RTX series) can trigger POST code 5808, halting the boot process. Ensure your server has the latest BIOS update and iLO firmware to minimize compatibility issues.
  • Card Compatibility: The server officially supports specific enterprise cards like the NVIDIA Quadro K4000/K5000/P2000 and Grid K1/K2. Consumer cards (like the GTX 1050, GTX 1650, or RTX series) often require BIOS modifications, external power adapters, and custom chassis modification