NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 in a HP Proliant DL380 Gen9 server and some small comparisons

I obtained a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card. I didn't want to waste it, so I put it in the only system I had that would physically fit this card. That happened to be a HP DL380 Gen9. It barely fit, but it did fit. I don't recommend this for a long term solution as I'm not sure what the cooling situation is right now.
I also go through the process of allowing this graphics card to interface with a VM in VMware. It's not exactly plug and play. I did some light video encoding with the card, the working VM and my laptop for comparison purposes.
If you're putting in a decent sized graphics card in a modern DL380, you'll need the following:
2nd riser card (777282-001 for Gen9)
A 2nd CPU matching what your first one is.
The correct heatsink (part numbers vary)
Potentially RAM for the 2nd CPU
A 10 pin to 8 pin adapter for for power. I used this one for mine: www.ebay.com/i...
The graphics card of course

[@kirkkershaw582]

I’m hoping to do this exact card in my DL360p G8. Thank you for this!

[@akosovari8794]

did you managed to get it working?

[@mohhingman]

thanks for being brave enough to post this. Awesome project. I'm attempting the same, DL380 G9 with 2xE5-2637v4. Which PSUs do you have, is it the 500W ones?

[@i80386sx]

My guess is they're the 500W units. My DL380 G9 is about as base model as it gets.

[@mohhingman]

thanks for the info@@i80386sx . My son's gonna love his new server pc.

[@mohhingman]

Hi. Yep, me too, got by with the 500w standard psu just fine. Gpu is a gigabyte gtx1080. Had to buy a 10pin to 8pin power cable. The riser and GPU fit into the case perfectly without mods. However, the sliding case lid can not close. Have duct taped that for now. About to play Doom 2016. Thanks for the guide!

[@yhijii]

hey i know this video is old, but looking at the parts sheet there seem to be 2 different kinds of risers... 719076-B21 is stated to be "gpu ready" on HPs website, while the one you put in the description seems to be just a general pci riser. In your experience do you think it will matter? because the gpu ready one is significantly more expensive. thanks

[@i80386sx]

I honestly have no idea. My combination is still going to this day.

[@yhijii]

@@i80386sx thank you, good to know

[@MikeMeadors]

I did get both of them. That is necessary the GPU ready card, it's even good for the longer cards which I have one for each, this is good though because now I can use my GTX 1080 also along with also my RTX 3070. Wow, what a difference.

[@TMavC5]

I can't get my display to show after installing nvidia card. Only getting black screen. Any idea?

[@i80386sx]

I’m not sure without knowing your setup. Some hypervisors blank the card until a VM is assigned to it if I’m not mistaken.

[@Donnirononon]

Where did you plug in the GPU cable? Can you please show the Ports? i am about to buy this machine but i need a 8 pin to power my GPU but i can not find the ports on any screenshot. I would even pay for this information. Please if you can do it i would be very very happy

[@i80386sx]

Help me decide on this product: COMeap 10 Pin to Dual PCI-E 8 Pin(6+2) Power Supply Adapter Cable for HP DL580 DL585 DL980 G7 Server 25-in(63.5cm) a.co/d/huECTwB

[@Donnirononon]

@@i80386sx That is 1ß Pin to 2 8 Pin but the Backplane needs 6 Pin i look at the Dl3 60. But mate, you got me in the right direction! I did not even know it was legal to do this with PSU cables haha i just could not wrap my head around it since there is only one port but now that i kniw that you need a splitter cable it does make sense. Thanks a lot buddy

[@danielwulf4241]

Are the HP DL380 Gen9 GPU Risers compatible with HP DL380 Gen8 servers?

[@i80386sx]

My guess is no.

[@CoolGaMr-de7nz]

I know this a bot old but how much louder did the server get with the gpu installed

[@i80386sx]

I didn’t notice a significant difference. I use it for light video rendering.

[@dgaborus]

Hi! What is the fan noise on this thing like? Can it be used in a home environment?

[@i80386sx]

I don't hear the fan. I do however have the DL380 and another server going. Personally its white noise to me, but I can't speak for everyone.

[@dgaborus]

@@i80386sx By "this" I meant the DL380, sorry. :) How noticable is the noise of the server?

[@i80386sx]

It’s about as noisy as a standard tower built in the 2000s.

[@otdosa]

so for BEAST GPUs you need to cut things up, but for regular low-medium end i take it there is plenty of room to spare?

[@i80386sx]

I had a K4000 in this system before hand. You still need the 2nd CPU and riser card but they fit fine.

[@marijnkieboom3506]

can you install a gpu in the right-most riser? so the other one you show in the video? I only have 1 single 777281-001 riser (so not the '282 you show)

[@i80386sx]

If the card is small enough it might work. The GTX 1080 is way too big.

[@shaibuali5397]

Hi, I love this video. I just tried this with my DL380 G9 and an NVIDIA Geforce 1060. At POST I get an error message asking me to connect all the power cables for the PCI graphics cards. Of course it is connected. Is there a specific PCI power cable for the DL380? I have tried with two different 1060 cards.

[@i80386sx]

There is a specific part number for the power cord.

[@i80386sx]

Here's the part number for it. 803403-001

[@shaibuali5397]

@@i80386sx Thanks for the quick response. Order placed. Will let you know how it goes.

[@mohhingman]

@@shaibuali5397 so?

[@phanindrasingh]

Hi I want buy this same model server if I install good gpu can my 5 employees work on this server is it powerful enough 16 core processor

[@i80386sx]

When HPE’s website comes back up, this tells you all of the CPUs the DL380 G9 will take. support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c04438847

[@Hanskasakwi]

Hi i80386sx, after I saw your this video, I tried install RTX 3070 in my DL380 Gen9 too. But I get a problem: I installed the NVDIA Driver successfully, and the NVDIA Control Panel is working too. As you know, in motherboard the server has a boarded VGA graphics output interface. My screen doesn't has a VGA Input, so that I use an Adapter to HDMI. This VGA to HDMI Adapter is working. But when I change to the RTX 3070 direct output during HDMI to my screen, it will be display the desktop, but without operation. That means, I only can see what the Graphic Card displayed, but when I try to execute to open some application/software, It will not display the windows in current screen. I don't know why. If you have any ideas, can you help me to solve this problem? Thank a lot!

[@i80386sx]

Are you using a Windows VM on top of VMware? I wouldn't think the adapter/no adapter scenario would make a difference.

[@Hanskasakwi]

@@i80386sx No, the mother system of the server is windows, and virtualization is not used. I try to output HDMI signal directly from the graphics card, it can display the system desktop, but I have no way to control the system. When I open the softwares, the windows from the software will not display in currently the screen which the Graphic from the RTX 3070 HDMI output, from the server VGA output it will display.

[@joshuaalexander5757]

@@Hanskasakwi did you got the problem resolved?

[@Hanskasakwi]

@@joshuaalexander5757 no

[@joshuaalexander5757]

I also have the same setup. can I use the gpu externally with an pcie riser cable?

[@i80386sx]

I believe so but don't hold me to this.

[@Sumbuddysumwhere]

Task Manager > Performance > GPU would of told you if the GPU is being used or not

[@i80386sx]

Thank you

[@juanjosedoliveiraalvarez6878]

i have a ask i have 115 ddr4 16gb ram, i can use the memory’s for home pc type ? or i need to sell them all

[@i80386sx]

If its not ECC or registered RAM, you should be able to.

[@juanjosedoliveiraalvarez6878]

@@i80386sx Ecc i think …

[@juanjosedoliveiraalvarez6878]

@@i80386sx asus accept ecc ram but no in all models of processors

[@i80386sx]

If its ECC most home PCs won't accept those. When you're posting them for sale, take a picture of the part number. Pictures speak 1000 words.

[@sonjamichelle]

Are you serious? Windows 10 1903 and OLD version of windows??? Pfffft, I remember the days BEFORE windows on 8086 machines! What else would I expect from a generation that considers a 95 Chevy Pickup a classic car?

[@i80386sx]

Windows 10 1903 was already end of support at the time of recording this video. It has nothing on the age of a 95 Chevy Pickup or the 8086, but Windows 10 1903 is considered old according to Microsoft.

[@phanindrasingh]

I work for 3 d architect will it be best ?

[@i80386sx]

I'm not sure.

[@OddJob001]

After a month or so, how's the cooling?

[@i80386sx]

30 degrees Celsius without load. 50 degrees Celsius using it for video rendering.

[@i80386sx]

It's hovering around 30 degrees Celsius without a load.

[@OddJob001]

@@i80386sx Thanks. I have the exact same setup. Wondering what its like with full load though. Thinking about passing it through to a docker container for eth mining.

[@i80386sx]

@@OddJob001 I never put a full load on it for more than an hour. I'm not sure how it handle under an extended full load. I don't want to break this card. It was dumb luck on how I obtained it.

[@OddJob001]

@@i80386sx I might cut the top of the case open above the fans and add a mesh with filter.