PT study says Dell PowerEdge R4715 outperforms HPE server for SQL Server SMB workloads

Principled Technologies says testing showed Dell’s PowerEdge R4715 delivered up to 2.4x the SQL Server transaction throughput of a legacy HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen11, while also improving energy efficiency and value. The findings are aimed at small and midsize businesses looking to upgrade database servers without moving to a higher SQL Server licensing tier.

Why it matters: - Small and midsize businesses depend on database servers for transactions, inventory, reservations, reporting and other daily operations. - Principled Technologies says aging database servers can slow customer transactions, disrupt operations and limit growth. - The report argues that modernizing a single-socket database server can improve performance headroom while helping control power and software licensing costs.

What happened: - Principled Technologies compared Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition online transaction processing performance across one HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen11 server and two Dell PowerEdge R4715 configurations. - The HPE system used a 16-core Intel Xeon Gold 5416S processor. - One Dell configuration used a 16-core AMD EPYC 9135 processor with SATA SSDs. - The other Dell configuration used a 32-core AMD EPYC 9335 processor with NVMe SSDs. - PT ran the HammerDB TPROC-C benchmark on Microsoft SQL Server 2025 and Windows Server 2025. - The test measured new orders per minute and power consumption, then calculated performance per watt and performance per dollar.

The details: - The 16-core Dell PowerEdge R4715 delivered 28% more new orders per minute than the HPE system. - The 32-core Dell PowerEdge R4715 delivered 147% more new orders per minute, or 2.4x the throughput, than the HPE system. - The 16-core Dell configuration delivered 25% more performance per watt than the HPE system. - The 32-core Dell configuration delivered 87% more performance per watt than the HPE system. - The 16-core Dell configuration used similar power to the HPE system. - The 32-core Dell configuration used 31% more power while doing far more database work. - The 32-core Dell PowerEdge R4715 delivered 67% more new orders per minute per dollar than the HPE system. - That value comparison used discounted quotes PT received on September 8, 2026. - The 32-core configuration reaches the 32-core limit supported by a single SQL Server Standard Edition instance. - PT said that lets organizations increase performance without moving to a more expensive software tier. - The Dell PowerEdge R4715 is a 1U, single-socket server. - The server supports DDR5 memory, up to three PCIe Gen5 expansion slots, SAS, SATA and NVMe storage options, integrated iDRAC10 management and Dell OpenManage automation tools. - PT’s FAQ described the HammerDB TPROC-C workload as an industry-standard OLTP benchmark that models a high-volume wholesale supplier.

Between the lines: - The comparison favors a server design that improves database throughput without adding platform complexity. - The 32-core Dell configuration appears aimed at buyers who want to maximize SQL Server Standard Edition capacity within a single instance. - PT’s framing suggests the strongest appeal is not only raw speed, but better efficiency and lower total operating pressure from power and licensing constraints. - Principled Technologies said the results mean faster database response times and greater capacity to support business growth without adding complexity. - The report concluded that the Dell PowerEdge R4715, in either AMD EPYC processor configuration, delivers better overall efficiency and helps businesses get more from their server investment.

What's next: - Principled Technologies directs readers to the Dell PowerEdge R4715 and AMD EPYC SQL Server report for full results. - SMB IT teams evaluating SQL Server refreshes may use the findings to weigh performance gains against power use and licensing limits. - Dell’s 32-core configuration is positioned for customers who want to stay within SQL Server Standard Edition while extracting more throughput from a single socket.

The bottom line: - Principled Technologies says the Dell PowerEdge R4715 offers SMBs a stronger SQL Server upgrade path than the legacy HPE ProLiant DL320 Gen11, especially when performance per watt and performance per dollar matter.