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The Hyve HS9215 listing describes a 1U server with eight LFF SATA III bays, two SFF SATA III bays, dual LGA 2011-3 sockets, two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, two OCP 2.0 slots, dual Intel X520 10GbE, and an LSI SAS2308, for $120 plus shipping. Those are the offer’s stated specifications—not verified details of the unit. The listing could not be checked for inventory, condition, included components, or exact wiring, so treat the price as a starting point and verify the configuration before deciding whether it suits your homelab.
What the $120 offer says it includes
The title advertises a dense 1U platform with dual-socket LGA 2011-3 support, a mix of large- and small-form-factor SATA bays, PCIe and OCP expansion, dual 10GbE networking, and an LSI SAS2308. It does not establish that CPUs, memory, trays, rails, cables, or a particular power supply are included. Nor does the title establish how the SAS2308 connects to the drive backplane.
Because the offer’s inventory and condition were not verifiable, consider every specification below an advertised claim to confirm against the specific unit.
| Advertised feature | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| 1U chassis; 8 LFF SATA III bays and 2 SFF SATA III bays | Whether the bays have a backplane, which drive sizes and interfaces it accepts, and whether trays and the necessary cables are included. |
| Two LGA 2011-3 sockets | Whether processors are installed, which models they are, and whether the included power supply and cooling are suitable for the intended CPUs. |
| Two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and two OCP 2.0 slots | Which slots are usable with the installed risers, brackets, and configuration; confirm dimensions and compatibility for the cards you plan to use. |
| Dual Intel X520 10GbE | Photographs or identification of the actual network adapters and confirmation that the ports and their mounting or OCP arrangement match your needs. |
| LSI SAS2308 | Whether this is an onboard controller or a separate adapter, how it is cabled to the backplane, and what mode and firmware it uses. |
What an HS9215 owner’s report can—and cannot—tell you
In a 2023 homelab build, Samuel Rosales described an HS9215 with dual-socket capability, PCIe Gen 3, 16 RAM slots, and a BMC. That system used a Xeon E5-2695 v4, 64 GB of DDR4 in two modules, and a mix of SSDs and hard drives: two 6 TB IronWolf drives and one 3 TB WD Green. The owner said it came from an auction as-is, was fixed up, and worked without damage in that instance. This is one person’s experience, not a reliability test or evidence about the $120 unit. Rosales’s HS9215 build report.
#1 Best Overall
- HP ProLiant DL360 G7 Business Server, the perfect enterprise server or small business server!
- Processors: Dual (2) Xeon X5675 6-Core 3.06 GHz 12MB CPUs Max Turbo 3.46 GHz
- Memory: 72GB (4 x 16GB) DDR3 PC3-10600R Memory; Storage: 3.6TB (4 x 900GB) 10K 12Gb/s SAS 2.5" HDDs
- Power: Redundant Power Supplies; RAID: HP Smart Array P410i-a 12Gb/s with 4×GigaBit NIC
- Hard drives and memory upgrades included separately NOT installed, installation required.
The same owner characterized the chassis as old and reported that their BMC interface provided sensor readings and power control, but that they could not use their reported methods to control fans. That is a useful reason to ask about firmware and fan management, not proof that every HS9215 has identical BMC behavior.
Check power, cooling, and the intended CPU configuration
A dual-socket motherboard does not by itself establish that the included PSU, cooling system, or cabling can support two processors—especially if you intend to install higher-power Xeons. A 2025 community discussion raised a question about PSU capacity for two Xeon E5-2680 v4 processors but did not resolve it. Do not treat the question as evidence that the PSU is inadequate or adequate; obtain the PSU model and wattage and verify suitability for your exact build. HS9215 community discussion.
Rank #2
- [CPU] AMD Ryzen 7 5700G Processor (8 Cores, 16 Threads, 3.8 GHz Base Clock Speed up to 4.6 GHz Max Boost Clock Speed) for Gaming and Content Creation with 7nm Leading Edge Technology | [STORAGE] 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD - Experience Hyper-Fast Bootup and Data Transfer thats up to 30x Faster Performance than a Traditional Hard Drive.
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics | [RAM] 32GB DDR4 RAM 3200 Gaming Memory for Seamless Multitasking from Multiple Web Pages to Playing Games Online Simultaneously | [OS] Windows 11 Pro x64
- 2x 3.5" Drive Bays | 4x Expansion Slots | mATX Motherboard | ATX PSU
- [BUY WITH CONFIDENCE] Empowered PCs are Assembled in the USA, Rigorously Stress-Tested Before Shipping, and Supported with Lifetime Technical and Diagnostic Support and 3-Year Limited Hardware Warranty.
Before buying, ask for the PSU label, CPU model numbers, heatsink and fan details, and a powered-on demonstration. A 1U chassis can impose tighter cooling and component-clearance constraints than a larger tower, so confirm that any planned CPUs and expansion cards fit the actual configuration.
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Understand what the SAS2308 claim means for storage
Avago’s October 2014 guide describes the LSI SAS 9207-8i as an HBA based on the SAS2308 controller. That specific adapter provides eight internal 6 Gb/s SATA/SAS ports through two SFF-8087 connectors, uses PCIe 3.0 x8, and supports up to 256 SATA or SAS end devices. These are the 9207-8i’s specifications; they do not prove that the HS9215 offer’s SAS2308 is that card or uses the same connectors. Avago, LSI SAS 9207-8i User Guide, version 2.2 (October 2014).
Rank #3
- Dell PowerEdge R730xd 24B SFF 2U Server
- 2x Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 2.6Ghz 14-Core (28-cores Total)
- 128GB DDR4 RAM – 4x 1.2TB 10K SAS 2.5” 12Gb/s
- Dell H730P mini 2GB 12Gb/s RAID
- 2x 750W PSU - 2x 10Gb SFP+ 2x 1Gb (RJ45) NIC
The guide also makes the practical installation requirements clear for a 9207-8i: an available PCIe x8 slot and suitable cables between the HBA and the backplane or devices. If the seller says the offer includes an HBA, request a clear photo and its model number; if the controller is onboard, ask for a board or cabling photo. A SAS2308 mention alone is not enough to establish that all advertised bays are connected or ready to use.
Planning to add 3.5-inch SATA drives?
The owner report shows that one HS9215 build used HDDs, but it does not confirm the trays, connectors, backplane, or condition of the bays on this offer. Before choosing 3.5-inch SATA hard drives, establish which LFF bays are wired and supported, whether the correct trays and cables are present, and how much usable capacity your workload needs. Include drive health and replacement cost in your budget rather than assuming the chassis listing includes working storage.
Rank #4
- Spacious Chassis: This huge 4U server case comes with 15 internal 3.5" HDD bays.
- Expandable & E-ATX Compatible: 7 PCI expansion slots and E-ATX compatibility gives you growth options for all of your needs.
- Exceptional Cooling: 8 pre-installed cooling fans provide excellent airflow and heat protection. 3 front 120mm PWM fans, 3 middle 120mm fans and 2 rear 80mm fans ensure your drives and chassis avoid overheating.
- Desired Features: Front panel LED indicators for power, HDD, and LAN status monitoring allow quick, easy visual assessment. Additional utility with 2 USB 3.0 port and built-in front panel lock.
Ask the seller for proof of the actual configuration
- Request exterior and interior photos. Ask for clear views of the chassis, motherboard, backplane, drive bays, risers, network adapters, storage controller, and cable routing.
- Get the component inventory in writing. Confirm CPU models and count, RAM amount and layout, PSU model and wattage, drive trays, rails, fans, heatsinks, cables, and any included drives.
- Request a boot or POST demonstration. Ask to see the system power on and identify its CPUs and memory, along with any visible hardware errors. A successful POST does not prove every bay, port, or management function works.
- Confirm storage wiring and condition. Ask which bays connect to which controller, what backplane is installed, and whether the seller can demonstrate detection of drives in the relevant bays.
- Clarify shipping and return terms. Calculate the delivered total, including shipping, and ask how damage, missing parts, or a unit that does not match the description will be handled.
Compare the delivered system with your requirements
No current competing listing or verified sold-price dataset establishes whether $120 is a market bargain. Compare this offer with other used servers only after you know what is actually included and working. Judge the delivered configuration against these practical criteria:
- Completeness and condition: Are the board, PSU, cooling, risers, backplane, trays, and cables present and functional?
- Compute and memory: Does the confirmed CPU and RAM inventory meet your needs, and is there a clear upgrade path within the system’s power and cooling limits?
- Storage fit: Do the backplane and wiring match your drive sizes and interfaces, and are the required trays included?
- Management: Does the BMC provide the monitoring and remote controls you expect, including fan control if that matters to your setup?
- Networking and expansion: Are the 10GbE ports and usable PCIe/OCP slots present in the form you need?
- Total cost: Add shipping and any missing parts, replacement fans, drives, or cables before comparing prices.
A search-indexed marketplace result identifies an HS9215 dual-LGA2011-3 DDR4 motherboard as part number 5411C3810031 and labels that particular board tested working, but the underlying page could not be verified. It does not establish available stock or confirm that this board fits the advertised server. Search-indexed HS9215 motherboard result.
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