654768-B21 HPE 2.30GHz LGA2011 Xeon E5-2630 6-Core Processor.

Key Technical Specifications and Feature Highlights

• Processor model: Intel Xeon E5-2630 (Hexa-core, 6 cores).
• Base frequency: 2.30 GHz nominal clock speed suitable for steady-state server loads.
• QPI speed: 7.20 GT/s QuickPath Interconnect for CPU-to-CPU and CPU-to-chipset communication.
• Cache: 15 MB L3 shared cache — a significant on-die buffer for latency-sensitive workloads.
• Socket: FCLGA2011 (compatible with specific HPE Gen8 server motherboards).
• Platform compatibility: Packaged as an HPE kit for ProLiant DL360p Gen8 servers (verify BIOS/firmware revision before deployment).

This SKU matters for ProLiant DL360p Gen8

The HPE 654768-B21 is crafted to integrate with the server firmware and thermal design of the DL360p Gen8 line. That alignment reduces incompatibilities, simplifies spares management, and ensures Intel microcode and HPE BIOS optimizations are applied, which can improve stability, reduce microarchitecture edge cases, and smooth firmware updates. For organizations standardizing on Gen8 hardware, using HPE-branded processor kits reduces unexpected variety in component sourcing.

Performance Characteristics and Workload Suitability

The E5-2630 excels at multi-threaded enterprise workloads where a balance of per-core performance and core-count efficiency is more valuable than single-thread peak clock speeds. Typical deployment scenarios include:

• Virtualization hosts running multiple light-to-medium VMs (vSphere, Hyper-V, KVM).
• Application servers for middleware, application stacks, and container hosts.
• Database front-ends, analytics pre-processing, and read-heavy transactional workloads.
• File, print, and network services in medium-density rack environments.

Throughput, Latency, and Cache Benefits

The 15 MB of shared L3 cache reduces memory-access latency for frequently used datasets and synchronization primitives, which benefits databases, JVM-based applications, and caching layers. The 7.20 GT/s QPI speed provides adequate coherency and data movement performance across multi-socket configurations used in many Gen8 server variants. When paired with appropriate memory configurations (balanced RDIMM/LRDIMM population per HPE memory population rules), the processor demonstrates consistent throughput for both single-threaded and threaded workloads.

Compatibility, Firmware and Validation

Because this is an HPE-supplied kit, it is validated against the ProLiant DL360p Gen8 server platform. Compatibility considerations include:

• BIOS and iLO firmware levels — always confirm the server firmware revision to ensure the processor microcode is supported.
• Memory type and population — adhere to HPE memory population guidance for optimal memory channels and bandwidth utilization.
• Cooling and thermal headroom — follow OEM thermal design rules and use HPE-approved heat sinks and chassis airflow configurations.
• Power and PSU sizing — account for system TDP and power density when configuring multiple nodes or blade enclosures.

Firmware Updates and Microcode

Applying vendor-provided BIOS and firmware updates ensures the processor benefits from microcode improvements, security mitigations, and platform stability patches. This is particularly relevant for enterprise customers concerned with long-term supportability and compliance. HPE system maintenance packs and iLO update bundles typically include the necessary updates for Gen8 systems.

Rack and Data Center Deployment Considerations

For dense rack deployments, plan for airflow, ambient temperature, and power distribution. The DL360p Gen8 is designed for 1U rack density; thus, heat dissipation and power provisioning are critical to maintaining consistent clocking under load. Thermal throttling can occur if intake air temperatures or exhaust pathways are obstructed. Use HPE recommended blanking panels, airflow baffles, and validated cooling strategies.

Memory, I/O and Expansion: Maximizing Platform Potential

Pairing the E5-2630 with the correct memory configuration unlocks balanced bandwidth and latency. Key points:

• Memory channels: Populate DIMMs per HPE channel guidance to enable optimal interleaving and bandwidth.
• DIMM types: RDIMM or LRDIMM compatibility should be confirmed; mixing types is not recommended.
• I/O expansion: Use validated HPE RAID controllers, network adapters, and mezzanine cards for predictable performance.

Network and Storage Integration

For I/O-intensive workloads, equip the server with high-throughput NICs (10GbE or higher) and HPE-qualified storage controllers. The Xeon E5 family provides PCIe lanes and chipset interconnects to support common enterprise I/O stacks. Proper selection of HBA or RAID controllers and their firmware levels can substantially affect storage latency and throughput benchmarks.

Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) Features

E5-class processors and HPE ProLiant servers include RAS capabilities designed for enterprise uptime:

• Error-correcting code (ECC) memory support for automatic correction of single-bit errors.
• Platform-level telemetry via iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) for out-of-band hardware monitoring and management.
• Graceful handling of CPU errors and event logging to aid in root cause analysis during incidents.
• HPE support and warranty frameworks for field-replaceable units and spare parts management.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Management

Energy-conscious datacenters value processors with a favorable performance-per-watt balance. The E5-2630 sits in a class that enables efficient consolidation of virtual machines and workloads without excessive peak power draw. To maximize energy efficiency:

• Right-size workloads and consider consolidation to fewer physical hosts to reduce idle power overhead.
• Utilize platform power capping and BIOS power policy features where supported to control energy usage under variable load.
• Monitor thermal sensors via iLO to detect hot spots and adjust rack cooling as needed.

Power Budgeting and Capacity Planning

When planning deployments, include CPU power draw, memory population, storage, and peripheral cards in your power and cooling budget. Overlooking these components can lead to unexpected tripping of power distribution units (PDUs) or thermal throttling events.

Security Considerations and Microcode Maintenance

Processor-level vulnerabilities occasionally require microcode updates and firmware mitigations. Maintain an inventory of microcode levels applied to servers and coordinate security patches with application maintenance windows to reduce risk of performance regression. HPE advisories and Intel security bulletins should be part of a routine patching strategy.

Data Protection and Trusted Platform Features

Enable platform-level features such as Secure Boot, TPM presence, and iLO security hardening in accordance with your organization’s security policies. These mechanisms support system integrity verification and help prevent unauthorized firmware tampering.

Comparison, Upgrade Path and Alternatives

When evaluating the E5-2630 kit against other processor SKUs, consider the following comparative axes:

• Cores vs. clock: Higher-core parts favor parallel workloads; higher-clock parts favor single-thread latency-sensitive tasks.
• Cache sizes: Larger L3 caches improve working-set retention for database and caching layers.
• TDP and thermals: Balance performance gains against cooling capability and rack power limitations.

For organizations needing more threads or higher per-core throughput, consider stepping up to higher-tier Xeon E5 parts validated for the same platform or transitioning to newer generation servers if larger performance improvements, memory capacity, or newer I/O standards (NVMe, PCIe Gen3/Gen4) are required.

Cost-Benefit and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Procurement decisions should weigh upfront hardware cost, software licensing (which can be influenced by core counts), energy consumption, and expected refresh cycles. The E5-2630 provides a cost-effective combination of cores and cache for environments where predictable, mid-range compute density is desired. Consolidation benefits may reduce license and operational expenses compared to a larger number of lower-capacity hosts.

Use Cases and Practical Deployment Examples

Illustrative use cases where the HPE 654768-B21 kit aligns well:

• Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) — moderate density VDI pools with balanced CPU and memory demands.
• Development and test environments — cost-effective platform for staging, CI/CD runners, and pre-production testing.
• Edge and branch office servers — compact 1U servers in remote locations where predictable footprint and manageability are valued.
• Small-to-medium databases — OLTP read-heavy workloads or analytics preprocessing nodes backed by proper storage tiers.

Best Practices for Lifecycle Management

Implement asset tagging, centralized monitoring, and scheduled preventative maintenance. Keep spare kits and validated parts on hand in line with your Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) goals, and ensure staff or managed service providers follow HPE-recommended replacement procedures to minimize downtime.

Actionable Recommendations for Buyers and IT Architects

• Confirm server firmware (BIOS/iLO) matches HPE compatibility matrices prior to purchase.
• Plan memory and storage topologies in tandem with CPU selection to achieve target performance.
• Standardize on HPE SKUs for simplified spares and streamlined vendor support.
• Include microcode and BIOS maintenance in patch cycles to mitigate security and stability issues.

Tags and Search-Friendly Phrases to Improve Discoverability

• HPE 654768-B21 processor kit
• Intel Xeon E5-2630 ProLiant DL360p Gen8
• 2.30GHz 7.20GT/s QPI 15MB L3 FCLGA2011
• server CPU for virtualization and enterprise
• HPE Gen8 validated CPU kit

Use this content block on product category pages, parts catalogs, or technical landing pages to target both technical buyers and procurement professionals searching for validated HPE CPU kits, server upgrades, and ProLiant Gen8 replacement parts. The combination of vendor-specific identifiers, technical details, deployment guidance, and best-practice recommendations helps search engines map user intent to this SKU while providing actionable information for IT operators and decision-makers.