HP Proliant DL580 Gen8 and NVIDIA TESLA P4

[simonegabbriell]

I have a HP Proliant DL580 Gen8 with the Matrox graphic card, but now I need to do some OpenGL, and looking for a used, compatible (and possibily cheap) card to buy. I have found a used NVIDIA TESLA P4 that fits my pockets, but I am wondering if there could be any incompatibility issues... Any advice more than welcome!

[Suman_1978]

Hi,

Please refer to the server QuickSpecs for compatible devices information.  Page#28

Thank You!
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.
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[simonegabbriell]

I have read the quickspecs, thank you.

As far as I know, the NVIDIA TESLA P4 was released in 2016, while the manual for the Proliant DL560 Gen8 was redacted in 2013.

So of course it's not mentioned there.

Then allow me to be more specific: I am looking for advices from people that TRIED it and that can report that it is (or isn't) working.

Thank you

[Vinky_99]

@simonegabbriell 

Good day!

The HP ProLiant DL580 Gen8 is a powerful server, and adding a compatible GPU can indeed enhance its capabilities for tasks like OpenGL rendering or other GPU-intensive workloads. The NVIDIA Tesla P4 is a GPU that's designed primarily for data center and AI workloads, so it may work in your server, but there are some factors to consider:

>> It's essential to check whether the NVIDIA Tesla P4 is compatible with your specific HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen8 model. You should consult the server's documentation and HPE's compatibility lists to verify this. Sometimes, server vendors like HPE have their own GPU compatibility lists that you should follow to ensure compatibility and support.

>> The Tesla P4 may have specific power requirements that your server needs to meet. Ensure that your server's power supply can provide the necessary wattage and connectors for the GPU.

>> Make sure that NVIDIA provides compatible drivers for the Tesla P4 that are compatible with your server's operating system. Check the NVIDIA website or contact their support to verify driver availability.

>> Confirm that the GPU physically fits within your server's PCIe slots and has the necessary physical connectors for your server's chassis.

>> Servers like the HPE ProLiant DL580 Gen8 are designed with specific cooling configurations. Ensure that adding the Tesla P4 won't disrupt the server's cooling system and that it can operate within acceptable temperature limits.

>> If you plan to use the GPU for OpenGL tasks, make sure that the software and applications you intend to run are compatible with NVIDIA Tesla GPUs and that they can leverage the CUDA cores for GPU acceleration.

>> Consider the availability of support and warranty for the used Tesla P4. Server-grade GPUs often come with more extended warranties and support options compared to consumer GPUs.

>> High-performance GPUs can consume a significant amount of power and generate heat. Factor in the additional cost of electricity and any required cooling enhancements.

Alternative Options: Explore other GPU options that are officially supported by HP for your server model. HP may have specific GPU options that are certified for use in your server, which can provide a more reliable and supported solution.

I hope this give some insights, let me know. 

[simonegabbriell]

thank you for your detailed checklist and for taking the time.

again, if anyone have tried this combo and it worked, you are welcome to share your experience and suggestions.