860689-B21 HPE DL360 Gen10 Intel Xeon Gold 6134 3.2GHz 8-core 130W Processor kit.

Detailed Overview of HPE 860689-B21 DL360 Gen10 Intel Xeon Gold 6134 Processor Kit

The HPE 860689-B21 DL360 Gen10 server processor kit, powered by Intel Xeon Gold 6134, delivers a balanced combination of high frequency, multi-core scalability, and dependable enterprise-grade performance. This CPU is engineered for data-intensive workloads, virtualization, and mission-critical applications.

General Product Information

• Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
• Part Number / SKU: 860689-B21
• Category: Server Processor Kit
• Processor Model: Intel Xeon Gold 6134
• Base Frequency: 3.2 GHz
• Cores: 8-Core CPU with Hyper-Threading (16 Threads)
• Thermal Design Power (TDP): 130W
• Socket Compatibility: FCLGA3647 (Socket P)

Processor Specifications

Performance Attributes

• CPU Series: Intel Xeon Scalable Gold 6100 Family
• Code Name: Skylake
• Base Clock Speed: 3.20 GHz
• Maximum Turbo Frequency: Up to 3.70 GHz
• Cache Memory: 24.75 MB L3
• Number of UPI Links: 3
• Lithography: 14 nm technology
• Scalability: S4S (multi-processor support)

Core and Thread Architecture

• 8 Physical Cores
• 16 Processing Threads with Hyper-Threading enabled
• Advanced multi-core architecture for optimized performance

Supported Intel Technologies

Efficiency and Acceleration

• Intel Speed Shift Technology: Yes
• Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0: Enabled
• Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0: Not supported
• Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology: Yes
• Intel Volume Management Device (VMD): Available

Virtualization Capabilities

• Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x): Supported
• Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d): Yes
• Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT): Available

Instruction Set Extensions

• Intel SSE4.2
• Intel AVX and Intel AVX2
• Intel AVX-512 with 2 FMA units

Security and Reliability

Hardware-Based Protection

• Intel Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-NI): Enabled
• Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT): Supported
• Execute Disable Bit: Yes
• Intel Run Sure Technology: Available
• Mode-Based Execute Control (MBE): Yes

Advantages for Data Centers

• Optimized for enterprise applications and virtualization
• Energy-efficient design with 130W TDP balance
• High cache size ensures reduced latency and faster response
• Advanced scalability options for multi-processor server environments
• Built-in Intel technologies enhance workload acceleration and virtualization
• Robust security features ensure reliable data protection

Compatibility & Usage Scenarios

Ideal Workloads

• Virtualization and Cloud Computing
• Database Management Systems
• High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Applications
• AI and Machine Learning Workloads with AVX-512 support

HPE 860689-B21 DL360 Gen10 Intel Xeon Gold 6134 3.2GHz 8-core 130W Processor Kit

The HPE 860689-B21 processor kit pairs the Intel Xeon Gold 6134 CPU with Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s ProLiant DL360 Gen10 platform to deliver a high-performance, reliable server configuration designed for modern datacenter workloads. Built for enterprises that demand balanced single-thread and multi-thread performance, this kit combines an 8-core, 3.2GHz base clock CPU rated at 130 watts with the ProLiant Gen10 family’s enhanced security, memory capacity, and management features. The result is a compact 1U server option optimized for mixed virtualization, database, business intelligence, and scale-out application deployments where per-core performance and thermal headroom are critical.

Key Technical Characteristics and Specifications

The Intel Xeon Gold 6134 inside the HPE 860689-B21 is an 8-core processor that emphasizes strong per-core frequency — a critical attribute for latency-sensitive transactions and single-threaded application logic. With a base speed of 3.2GHz and the ability to boost higher under thermal and power allowances, the processor is tuned for predictable latency and consistent throughput. The chip supports Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, enabling up to 16 logical processors per socket when enabled, and includes hardware features such as Intel Turbo Boost, Intel Speed Shift, and robust memory controller support for DDR4 modules. As a 130W part, thermal design and airflow considerations on the DL360 Gen10 are essential to sustain performance under sustained loads.

Memory and I/O Capabilities

Paired with the DL360 Gen10 architecture, the 860689-B21 kit unlocks high memory density and bandwidth. The server supports multiple DDR4 channels per socket, ECC protection, and large capacity DIMMs that allow hosting in-memory databases and caching layers with fewer bottlenecks. I/O flexibility is another strength; HPE ProLiant platforms provide configurable PCIe lanes, NVMe backplane options, and flexible storage controllers to match the server’s role, whether it’s a transactional database node, a virtualization host, or a compute node in a software-defined storage cluster.

Security and Manageability

HPE’s Gen10 servers emphasize firmware resilience and runtime protection. When you select the HPE 860689-B21 processor kit for a DL360 Gen10, you gain the platform’s silicon-rooted security features, secure firmware rollback, and HPE iLO (Integrated Lights-Out) management for remote monitoring, troubleshooting, and lifecycle automation. For operations teams, these capabilities reduce mean time to repair, lower the risk of firmware compromise, and enhance compliance reporting. The combination of a secure hardware root and management tooling makes the platform suitable for sensitive workloads in regulated industries.

Performance Profile and Typical Workloads

The Xeon Gold 6134 is characterized by strong single-thread performance while maintaining efficient multi-threaded scaling across its eight cores. This balance makes the 860689-B21 ideal for mixed workloads that include web and application servers, front-end database processing, analytics read queries, and virtualization hosts running many moderate-size virtual machines. Transactional databases that prioritize low latency for transactions benefit from the higher clock speed, while virtualization environments benefit from the processor’s multi-core efficiency and platform memory bandwidth. When deployed in a cluster, these nodes can serve as compute-dense workers in distributed compute frameworks or as performant front-line servers handling spiky user traffic.

Virtualization and Consolidation

In virtualization scenarios, the HPE 860689-B21 provides a clear advantage for workloads that require higher clock rates over brute-force core counts. Consolidation strategies that prioritize fewer, faster VMs (for example, application instances that are CPU-bound rather than massively parallel) will see improved responsiveness. When Hyper-Threading is enabled, virtual CPU (vCPU) allocations can be flexibly tuned to reach the best balance between density and performance isolation. HPE iLO and HPE OneView integrations further simplify large-scale virtualization management, allowing fast deployment and consistent configuration across a fleet of DL360 Gen10 nodes.

Database and Analytics Use Cases

For database administrators, the 3.2GHz base clock of the Xeon Gold 6134 reduces query latency and improves single-query throughput. Analytical workloads that mix read-heavy OLAP queries with transactional OLTP patterns find the processor’s characteristics appealing for front-end query processing. Pairing the server with high-speed NVMe storage or large amounts of low-latency DRAM enables databases to keep hot working sets in close proximity to the CPU, further reducing I/O wait and improving overall application responsiveness.

Thermal Design and Power Considerations

At a 130W TDP, the Xeon Gold 6134 requires careful thermal planning within 1U chassis constraints. The DL360 Gen10 platform is engineered to provide strong airflow and heat dissipation, but administrators must account for rack-level power density and cooling capacity. Ensuring appropriate ambient temperatures, sufficient front-to-back airflow, and correctly rated power supplies will enable the kit to sustain high turbo frequencies when needed. Power provisioning should also account for potential peak draws during Turbo Boost states, storage subsystem activity, and peripheral devices to prevent thermal throttling and ensure predictable peak performance.

Rack Density and Data Center Placement

When designing rack layouts that include multiple HPE 860689-B21-equipped DL360 Gen10 nodes, it’s important to evaluate thermal adjacency and power distribution. High-density deployments benefit from strategic placement of higher-power servers and consideration of hot/cold aisle containment strategies. Additionally, modern data centers can leverage HPE’s capacity planning and power monitoring tools to forecast load and avoid surprises during scaling events. For edge deployments with limited cooling, administrators might choose lower-wattage CPU alternatives; however, for primary datacenter roles, the 130W configuration provides strong performance-per-socket advantages.

Compatibility, Upgrades, and Integration

The HPE 860689-B21 kit is designed for the DL360 Gen10 generation and must be matched with compatible server board revisions, BIOS/firmware levels, and validated memory and storage options. HPE publishes interoperability matrices that list supported DIMM types, maximum memory configurations, and qualified storage controllers. Administrators planning upgrades should verify firmware support for the Xeon Gold 6134 and confirm that the chosen chassis configuration supports the processor’s thermal and power envelope. When integrating into existing environments, HPE’s compatibility tools help validate whether the new processor kit will coexist with current hardware and firmware policies.

Firmware and BIOS Best Practices

Maintaining the latest validated BIOS and firmware is crucial to unlocking full performance and ensuring platform stability. HPE recommends applying firmware bundles tested for the DL360 Gen10 series that include iLO, system ROM, and device firmware updates. Proper firmware management reduces the risk of performance regressions, enables security features introduced in firmware, and ensures that power and thermal management policies operate as intended for the Xeon Gold 6134.

Upgrade Paths and Scalability

Customers who start with the HPE 860689-B21 kit can plan for straightforward upgrade paths within the same socket family, depending on their needs for higher core counts, larger cache, or different power envelopes. The DL360 Gen10 chassis often supports multiple processor SKUs, allowing IT teams to scale up compute density by moving to higher-core Xeon Gold or Platinum SKUs when rack power and cooling permit. This flexibility helps match server configurations to evolving application demands without replacing the entire platform.

Reliability, Serviceability, and Lifecycle Management

Enterprise deployments expect predictable uptime and streamlined maintenance. The DL360 Gen10 family — when paired with an HPE 860689-B21 processor kit — provides features like hot-swap storage, redundant power supply options, and advanced logging to accelerate diagnostics. HPE’s service portfolio includes proactive monitoring, warranty packages, and support contracts that help organizations minimize downtime and speed repairs. The integrated management stack reduces the need for on-site interventions, enabling remote troubleshooting and automated firmware maintenance windows.

Maintenance and Spare Parts Strategy

Creating a spare parts strategy is essential for critical clusters. Because the 860689-B21 is a specific HPE kit, maintaining a small inventory of validated spares — such as compatible power supplies, drive carriers, and replacement processor kits when necessary — can shorten incident response times. HPE’s parts replacement services also allow organizations to choose service levels that balance cost and risk, whether that means next-business-day replacement or same-day service in strategic locations.

Comparison with Alternative Processor Options

When selecting the HPE 860689-B21, IT decision-makers often compare it against other Xeon SKUs and competing processors. The Gold 6134 trades off raw core count for higher per-core frequency, making it different from higher-core Platinum parts that prioritize parallel throughput. For workloads that cannot easily parallelize, the 6134’s higher clock speed delivers better latency-sensitive performance. Conversely, if the workload consists of massive parallel tasks such as large-scale HPC simulations or highly threaded data processing, a higher-core-count SKU might be preferable. Evaluating workload characteristics against the processor’s strengths is critical when optimizing cost-per-workload and performance-per-watt.

Cost Efficiency and TCO Considerations

Total cost of ownership for the HPE 860689-B21 must include purchase price, power consumption, cooling infrastructure, and operational overhead. Its strong per-core performance can reduce the number of servers needed for certain workloads, potentially lowering licensing costs and footprint, but the 130W TDP may increase operational energy costs versus lower-power SKUs. A holistic TCO analysis that models realistic utilization, licensing, and energy rates will reveal whether the performance benefits justify the incremental power costs for a given workload mix.

Deployment Guidance and Best Practices

Successful deployment of the HPE 860689-B21 requires careful planning across hardware configuration, firmware, networking, and storage. Start by aligning BIOS settings with workload priorities: set power profiles for performance if low latency is paramount, or select energy-efficient profiles when cost and thermal constraints dominate. Validate memory configurations to ensure balanced channels and ECC protection. Use HPE OneView or iLO to create golden images, automate provisioning, and ensure consistent BIOS and firmware states across servers. Storage should be sized for IOPS as much as capacity, and where possible, add NVMe caching or tiers to accelerate hot datasets.

Networking and Storage Considerations

Networking plays a central role in exploiting the compute capabilities of the DL360 Gen10 with the 860689-B21. Use multi-pathing and converged networking where appropriate to reduce network-induced bottlenecks. Storage choices should focus on minimising latency for the most critical workloads; NVMe and high-performance SSDs pair particularly well with the CPU’s ability to digest high throughput. Implementing storage tiering, caching layers, and using HPE’s validated controllers or HBAs will ensure predictable behavior under load.

Monitoring and Observability

Continuous monitoring of CPU utilization, thermal headroom, memory usage, and I/O latency is essential for maintaining service levels. Use HPE iLO and third-party monitoring suites to set alert thresholds for sustained high CPU temperatures or power draws which could precipitate throttling. Observability into application-level metrics will tie server health to customer experience, enabling operations teams to tune resource allocation dynamically and avoid unnecessary overprovisioning.