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HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen12 Server Review: 7.3 Rating

March 13, 2025

With a rotal tating of 7.3, the HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen12 is designed for high-performance computing, AI-driven workloads, and telecom infrastructure, delivering a balance of scalability, security, and long-term serviceability. With the Intel Xeon 6 Granite Rapids-D processor, this server enhances enterprise efficiency through AI acceleration, edge computing optimizations, and seamless integration with HPE GreenLake hybrid cloud services. While its security-first architecture simplifies compliance for enterprise IT teams, higher peak power consumption under intensive workloads could increase operational expenses over time. Sustainability initiatives, such as carbon-neutral supply chain practices, contribute to environmental responsibility, yet recyclability challenges persist due to high-density component integration.

Sustainability (Materials & Environmental Impact) – 7.0

HPE’s ongoing sustainability efforts are evident in the ProLiant DL110 Gen12, which incorporates lower-emission materials and optimized energy consumption settings to reduce environmental impact. The company’s carbon-neutral supply chain ensures that manufacturing processes align with industry sustainability goals, while packaging improvements help limit waste. However, despite these advancements, end-of-life recyclability remains a concern due to dense component integration, which can complicate disassembly for material recovery. Organizations committed to circular economy initiatives may find asset recovery options through HPE’s lifecycle programs, but recyclability limitations could affect IT asset disposition strategies.

Repairability & Serviceability – 8.0

Designed with enterprise IT teams in mind, the ProLiant DL110 Gen12 features a modular design with tool-free access, making hardware servicing and upgrades straightforward. HPE’s global parts availability supports long-term maintenance, allowing organizations to extend the lifecycle of their infrastructure through component replacements rather than full system overhauls. While these factors enhance the server’s repairability and serviceability, firmware licensing requirements can introduce complexities when dealing with third-party repair options. IT teams looking to maintain security compliance while avoiding vendor lock-in must navigate HPE’s proprietary firmware ecosystem carefully.

Performance & Enterprise Integration – 9.0

The Intel Xeon 6 Granite Rapids-D processor, designed for data-intensive AI workloads and real-time analytics, positions the ProLiant DL110 Gen12 as a powerful option for telecom and enterprise applications. Its AI acceleration capabilities allow for more efficient processing of large datasets, reducing latency for mission-critical operations. Additionally, its tight integration with HPE GreenLake cloud services enables seamless hybrid IT management, making it well-suited for organizations operating across on-premise and cloud-based environments. These features make the server highly adaptable to modern enterprise IT infrastructures, reinforcing its value in AI-driven applications.

Lifecycle Management & Longevity – 7.5

HPE extends firmware support and security patches for an extended period, ensuring that the ProLiant DL110 Gen12 remains viable for organizations prioritizing long-term infrastructure investments. This model benefits from ongoing vendor support, reducing the risks associated with premature obsolescence. However, as newer Xeon architectures continue to emerge, enterprises may eventually face compatibility and upgrade challenges. While the server’s hardware longevity is solid, the evolution of software and security requirements could influence its long-term viability, particularly in industries with stringent compliance needs.

Cost-effectiveness & TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) – 6.5

For large-scale enterprise deployments, the ProLiant DL110 Gen12 offers efficiency gains that contribute to lower total cost of ownership over time, particularly for businesses that leverage HPE’s cloud-managed infrastructure solutions. However, its initial purchase cost is higher compared to some competing models, which may be a consideration for smaller enterprises with budget constraints. Additionally, the potential for vendor-specific licensing fees and firmware-dependent updates could increase long-term operational costs, particularly for IT teams managing multiple generations of server infrastructure.

End-of-Life Processing & Recyclability – 6.0

HPE provides structured asset recovery programs, allowing organizations to responsibly dispose of or repurpose IT infrastructure through trade-in, refurbishment, or certified recycling. While these programs align with circular economy goals, the high component integration in the ProLiant DL110 Gen12 limits part harvesting opportunities, reducing its secondary market resale potential. For IT asset disposition (ITAD) providers, the densely packed components and proprietary security features could make refurbishment and resale more complex. Organizations considering long-term ITAD strategies should assess whether HPE’s recovery programs provide sufficient value compared to third-party disposition options.

Power Consumption – 6.8

While the Intel Xeon 6 Granite Rapids-D processor is designed for edge computing efficiency, the ProLiant DL110 Gen12 exhibits power spikes under AI-driven workloads and high-density data processing. HPE has implemented dynamic power optimization settings to mitigate unnecessary energy consumption, yet in real-world scenarios, enterprises running high-load AI applications or telecom network operations may see significant energy draw fluctuations. These power variations could impact data center energy efficiency, increasing operational costs in high-utilization environments. IT teams prioritizing sustainability and cost efficiency should consider whether HPE’s energy management tools sufficiently offset potential power overhead.

ITAD Implications

For IT asset disposition (ITAD) companies, HPE’s built-in security architecture simplifies data sanitization by providing trusted firmware validation and compliance-friendly asset decommissioning options. However, proprietary firmware dependencies introduce challenges for third-party refurbishment and resale, potentially limiting the profitability of secondary market opportunities. While HPE’s asset recovery programs offer structured disposal options, organizations focusing on sustainability must weigh the trade-offs between vendor-managed recycling and third-party ITAD processing. The combination of strong security measures and complex component integration means that ITAD professionals must carefully assess the feasibility of resale and material recovery efforts.

Final Assessment

The HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen12 is a strong choice for AI-driven workloads, telecom infrastructure, and hybrid cloud environments, offering scalability, security compliance, and long-term vendor support. Its high-performance capabilities, modular serviceability, and integration with HPE GreenLake make it an attractive option for enterprises seeking reliable, cloud-compatible server solutions. However, power efficiency concerns, recyclability challenges, and vendor-specific firmware requirements may influence long-term cost-effectiveness and ITAD strategies. Organizations considering large-scale deployments should carefully evaluate the balance between security benefits, energy efficiency trade-offs, and end-of-life recovery complexities before making a final investment decision.

Areas for Improvement in the HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen12 Server

While the HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen12 is a strong enterprise server, particularly for AI-driven workloads and telecom applications, there are several areas where it could improve to enhance sustainability, cost-efficiency, and IT asset management.

1. Power Consumption Optimization

Rating: 6.8

  • The Intel Xeon 6 Granite Rapids-D processor offers efficiency gains, but under heavy workloads, the server experiences significant power spikes.
  • Dynamic power optimization settings help mitigate excess energy use, but AI workloads, real-time analytics, and telecom operations drive up power consumption, leading to higher operating costs in data centers.
  • Improvement Needed: HPE should focus on better AI-driven power scaling features or integration with renewable energy management solutions to improve the energy efficiency-to-performance ratio in real-world workloads.

2. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Considerations

Rating: 6.5

  • Initial purchase costs are higher than competing models, making it less accessible for smaller enterprises with budget constraints.
  • HPE’s licensing model for firmware updates and security patches may add to long-term costs, especially for IT teams managing mixed-generation infrastructure.
  • Improvement Needed: HPE should consider offering more flexible licensing options or subscription-based support models to reduce the financial burden of firmware and security updates over time.

3. End-of-Life Recyclability and ITAD Challenges

Rating: 6.0

  • The high-density component integration limits recyclability since some parts are difficult to extract or repurpose for secondary use.
  • Proprietary security measures and firmware dependencies complicate third-party refurbishment and resale, potentially reducing secondary market value.
  • Improvement Needed: HPE could enhance its circular economy initiatives by:
    • Designing components for easier disassembly and material recovery.
    • Offering third-party ITAD partnerships that provide alternative pathways for reuse beyond HPE’s asset recovery programs.
    • Providing more transparent data erasure processes that align with ITAD best practices without restricting refurbishment.

4. Extended Lifecycle Support & Compatibility

Rating: 7.5

  • While HPE provides long-term firmware and security updates, future Xeon architecture changes may impact backward compatibility.
  • IT teams investing in long-term infrastructure need assurances that key optimizations will not be phased out prematurely.
  • Improvement Needed: HPE should provide more detailed roadmaps on hardware and software support longevity to help IT teams make informed deployment and upgrade decisions.

Overall Suggested Improvements

  • Enhance AI-driven power optimization to reduce high-load energy consumption.
  • Offer more flexible firmware licensing models to lower long-term operating costs.
  • Improve recyclability by designing for easier component recovery.
  • Expand ITAD-friendly end-of-life solutions beyond vendor-specific asset recovery programs.
  • Increase transparency on long-term hardware support to ensure IT teams can plan future-proof deployments.
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[review_metadata]
Sustainability (Materials & Environmental Impact) - 7
Repairability & Serviceability - 8
Performance & Enterprise Integration - 9
Lifecycle Management & Longevity - 7.5
Cost-effectiveness & TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) - 6.5
End-of-Life Processing & Recyclability - 6
Power Consumption - 6.8

7.3

Disclaimer.

This analysis is based on publicly available information, including vendor’s official statements, product specifications, and independent third-party benchmarks where applicable. While we may have referenced data from the vendor’s corporate announcements and external performance reviews, this report does not constitute an endorsement of the vendor’s claims, nor does it independently verify all sustainability and performance metrics.

Key sustainability assertions, such as the use of recycled and renewable materials, are based on vendor’s or third-party disclosures, and while these figures reflect corporate sustainability initiatives, they have not been audited by an independent third-party environmental certification body within the scope of this analysis. Performance metrics referenced from benchmark studies, such as CrossMark ratings, come from external testing firms but may not represent real-world performance across all user scenarios.

Buyers and stakeholders—including IT procurement teams, IT asset disposition (ITAD) providers, and sustainability-focused enterprises—should conduct independent due diligence when evaluating the products reviewed by Compliance Standards LLC. This includes assessing total cost of ownership (TCO), repairability policies, recyclability logistics, and long-term software support to align with their specific needs and sustainability objectives.

Additionally, given the rapid evolution of enterprise IT hardware and sustainability standards, this analysis is subject to change based on future developments, regulatory shifts, and independent third-party evaluations that may emerge after publication. (Disclaimer update on March 5, 2025)

How we review

Methodology Statement

The ratings and analysis presented in this review are derived from a combination of independent analyst assessments and AI-assisted data processing. Our approach incorporates both expert evaluation and AI-driven analysis to ensure a comprehensive and data-informed perspective on the product reviewed on this page and other products on this platform.

AI is primarily used to sift through technical details reported by the vendor and third-party specialists, extracting and organizing key specifications, performance metrics, and sustainability claims. This assists in identifying patterns, contradictions, or areas requiring further scrutiny. AI also helps process complex technical statistics that are difficult to interpret manually, such as energy efficiency benchmarks, thermal dissipation data, lifecycle carbon impact, and component failure rates. Additionally, AI analysis simplifies comparisons between different hardware architectures and their implications for repairability, recyclability, and performance longevity.

While AI enhances efficiency in reviewing technical information, final judgments are made by analysts, who interpret and contextualize the findings. The ratings assigned to various categories reflect a balanced consideration of available data, industry standards, and sustainability concerns, but they should not be viewed as absolute.

The interpretation of the ratings and assessments provided should not be considered final or definitive. Readers are encouraged to use this analysis as a supplementary tool to refine their own evaluations.

The authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this information or for any outcomes resulting from its use. This review is intended as an additional service to help industry professionals assess IT hardware more effectively, incorporating sustainability and lifecycle considerations into their decision-making process.

  • Sustainability
  • Repairability & Serviceability
  • Performance & Enterprise Integration
  • Cost-effectiveness & TCO
  • Lifecycle Management & Longevity
  • Power Consumption
  • Data Security

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Compliance Standards’ analysis who review these products can be reached via: inquiries@compliance-standards.com.  They can also be engaged by scheduling a free consultation at: https://compliancestandards.com/consultation/

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