HPE MSA 1060 vs Dell PowerVault ME5012: Entry-Level Block Storage Compared

The HPE MSA 1060 and Dell PowerVault ME5012 are the two go-to 2U arrays for teams buying their first SAN or standing up storage at a remote office. Both deliver dual-controller block storage over Fibre Channel, iSCSI and SAS at the lowest price points in their respective portfolios. This guide breaks down host connectivity, drive scaling, RAID and real-world fit so you can pick the right entry array.

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The short answer

For buyers who want the absolute lowest entry price and the simplest first SAN, the HPE MSA 1060 wins on value and on MSA-DP+ distributed RAID that rebuilds fast across all drives. The Dell PowerVault ME5012 wins for sites that need more host bandwidth out of the box, with up to four host ports per controller and 32Gb FC or 25GbE iSCSI, plus larger drive scaling. If you already run HPE ProLiant and want one vendor and one support path, choose the MSA 1060; if you need maximum throughput and expansion headroom in the same 2U footprint, choose the ME5012. Uniqcli can quote either as an authorized reseller.

HPE MSA 1060 vs Dell PowerVault ME5012, head to head

HPE MSA 1060

Dell PowerVault ME5012

Entry price / first-SAN value

One of the lowest entry price points in the entire HPE storage portfolioadvantage

Competitive entry pricing but typically a step above the MSA 1060

Host ports per controller

2 host ports per controller (4 per array)

Up to 4 host ports per controller (8 per array)advantage

Top host speeds

16Gb Fibre Channel, 1/10Gb iSCSI (10GBASE-T), 12Gb SAS

32Gb Fibre Channel, 25GbE or 10GBASE-T iSCSI, 12Gb SASadvantage

RAID / data protection

RAID 0/1/5/6/10 plus MSA-DP+ wide-stripe distributed RAID with fast rebuilds

Linear and virtual storage with ADAPT distributed RAID

Drive scaling

Up to ~192 drives across the array plus three expansion enclosures

Scales to a higher maximum drive count via ME484 expansionadvantage

Ecosystem fit

Field-proven HPE ProLiant compatibility, single HPE support path

Tight fit with Dell PowerEdge servers and OpenManage tooling

Form factor

2U dual-controller base enclosure

Specifications side by side

Form factor: 2U rack; 2U rack
Controllers: Dual hot-swap active/active; Dual active/active (single or dual)
Host ports: 2 per controller / 4 per array; Up to 4 per controller / 8 per array
Fibre Channel: 8/16Gb FC; Up to 32Gb FC
iSCSI: 1/10Gb iSCSI (10GBASE-T); 25GbE or 10GBASE-T iSCSI
SAS host: 12Gb SAS; 12Gb mini-SAS
Cache per controller: Onboard controller cache (entry MSA Gen6); 16GB cache per controller
RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, MSA-DP+; Linear/virtual, ADAPT distributed RAID
Drive types: SAS/NL-SAS HDD and SAS SSD, SED options; SAS, NL-SAS HDD and SSD, FIPS SED options
Base drive bays: 24 SFF or 12 LFF (per base enclosure type); 12 x 3.5in LFF (2.5in supported)
Max drives: Up to ~192 with 3 expansion enclosures; Higher max via ME484 expansion
Procurement: Available TAA / GSA / SAP/FAR channels via Uniqcli; Quoted by Uniqcli as authorized reseller

Where HPE MSA 1060 wins

Among the lowest entry price points in the HPE storage portfolio, ideal for a first SAN or budget remote site
MSA-DP+ wide-stripe distributed RAID spreads data and spare capacity across all drives for fast, low-impact rebuilds
Field-proven compatibility with HPE ProLiant servers and a single HPE support and warranty path
Simple Gen6 MSA management that smaller IT teams can run without dedicated storage admins
Supports SAS/NL-SAS HDDs, SAS SSDs and self-encrypting drives for flexible hybrid tiers

Where Dell PowerVault ME5012 wins

Up to four host ports per controller (eight per array) for more connectivity and bandwidth out of the box
Faster top-end host speeds with 32Gb Fibre Channel and 25GbE iSCSI options
16GB cache per controller helps sustain mixed read/write workloads
ADAPT distributed RAID delivers efficient protection and quick rebuilds
Higher maximum drive count via ME484 expansion for sites that expect to grow

Which one should you buy?

First SAN for a small business replacing direct-attached storage

Pick HPE MSA 1060. The lowest entry price and simple MSA-DP+ setup let a lean IT team stand up shared block storage without storage specialists or a big budget.

Remote or branch office needing reliable shared storage on a tight budget

Pick HPE MSA 1060. Compact 2U footprint, low cost and field-proven ProLiant compatibility make it easy to deploy and support across many sites.

Growing site that wants high host bandwidth and room to scale

Pick Dell PowerVault ME5012. Up to four host ports per controller, 32Gb FC / 25GbE iSCSI and a higher max drive count give more headroom as workloads and capacity grow.

Shop already standardized on Dell PowerEdge servers

Pick Dell PowerVault ME5012. Single-vendor alignment with PowerEdge and OpenManage simplifies procurement, firmware and support.

Latency-sensitive virtualization or database on a few high-speed hosts

Pick Dell PowerVault ME5012. 32Gb FC and 16GB controller cache help sustain mixed I/O for VMs and databases beyond an entry workload.

Frequently asked

What is the main difference between the HPE MSA 1060 and Dell PowerVault ME5012?

Both are 2U dual-controller entry SAN arrays for block storage. The MSA 1060 targets the lowest entry price with 16Gb FC, 10Gb iSCSI and MSA-DP+ RAID, while the ME5012 offers more host ports per controller, faster 32Gb FC / 25GbE iSCSI and a higher maximum drive count.

Which is cheaper for a first SAN?

The HPE MSA 1060 is positioned as one of the lowest entry price points in the HPE storage portfolio, which makes it a strong fit for first-SAN buyers and remote offices on a tight budget. Exact pricing depends on configuration; Uniqcli can quote both side by side.

How do host ports compare between the two arrays?

The MSA 1060 provides two host ports per controller (four per array). The ME5012 can be configured with up to four host ports per controller (eight per array), giving it more connectivity and bandwidth out of the box.

What host protocols do they support?

The MSA 1060 supports 8/16Gb Fibre Channel, 1/10Gb iSCSI over 10GBASE-T, and 12Gb SAS. The ME5012 supports up to 32Gb Fibre Channel, 25GbE or 10GBASE-T iSCSI, and 12Gb mini-SAS.

How do the RAID and rebuild approaches differ?

The MSA 1060 offers traditional RAID 0/1/5/6/10 plus MSA-DP+, a wide-stripe distributed RAID that spreads data and spare space across all drives for fast rebuilds. The ME5012 uses linear and virtual storage with ADAPT distributed RAID for similar fast, low-impact rebuilds.

Which scales to more drives?

Both start in a 2U base and grow with expansion shelves. The ME5012 scales to a higher maximum drive count via ME484 expansion, while the MSA 1060 supports up to roughly 192 drives across the array plus three expansion enclosures.

Are these arrays available on TAA, GSA or SAP/FAR channels contracts?

Yes. As an authorized reseller, Uniqcli can source TAA-compliant configurations and quote through GPC, SAP, and FAR vehicles. Tell us the contract you buy on and we will map the right SKUs.

Can Uniqcli help me decide and configure the right array?

Yes. Uniqcli is an authorized HPE reseller and can also source the Dell PowerVault ME5012. We will size drives, controllers and host connectivity to your workload and provide a quote on either platform.

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