HPE MSA 2062 vs Dell PowerVault ME5: Entry Hybrid-Flash SAN Comparison
The HPE MSA 2062 and Dell PowerVault ME5 are the two dominant entry-level block storage arrays for SMB data centers, remote and branch offices (ROBO), and small databases. Both are dual-controller, 12Gb SAS-backed hybrid-flash SANs designed to deliver predictable performance and simple administration at an affordable price point. This comparison breaks down where each array wins on flash performance, capacity scaling, software value, support, and federal procurement so you can right-size your first or next SAN.
The short answer
For most small-to-midsize buyers the HPE MSA 2062 wins on out-of-box value: it ships with two 1.92TB SSDs and the Advanced Data Services license already bundled, so auto-tiering, snapshots, and replication are turned on from day one. The Dell PowerVault ME5 wins when you need to scale big within one entry array, supporting up to 336 drives and 8PB versus the MSA's ~240 SFF drives and ~921TB, and its ADAPT distributed RAID rebuilds faster after a drive failure. Choose the MSA 2062 for the best price-to-feature ratio in a small hybrid-flash SAN; choose the ME5 (ME5084) when dense capacity growth or larger sequential throughput is the priority.
HPE MSA 2062 vs Dell PowerVault ME5, head to head
Specifications side by side
- Class
- Entry hybrid-flash / all-flash block SAN
- Entry hybrid-flash / all-flash block SAN
- Controllers
- Dual HPE MSA 2060 (Gen6) active-active
- Dual active-active, 16GB cache per controller
- Max IOPS
- Up to ~395,000 IOPS
- Up to ~840,000 IOPS
- Base array drive bays
- 24 SFF (2.5") or 12 LFF (3.5")
- 12 LFF (ME5012), 24 SFF (ME5024), 84 LFF (ME5084)
- Max drives
- Up to 240 SFF across 9 expansion enclosures
- Up to 336 drives
- Max raw capacity
- Up to ~921TB raw
- Up to 8PB
- Host connectivity
- 16Gb FC, 10/25GbE iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS (per-protocol models)
- 16/32Gb FC, 10/25Gb iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS
- Backend / expansion
- 12Gb SAS via MSA 2060 SFF/LFF enclosures
- 12Gb SAS via ME412 / ME424 / ME484 enclosures
- RAID / data layout
- Virtualized RAID with wide striping and auto-tiering
- ADAPT distributed RAID (erasure-coded) plus linear/virtual
- Included flash
- Two 1.92TB Read Intensive SSDs (3.84TB) bundled
- SSDs typically configured separately
- Software licensing
- Advanced Data Services license included (snapshots, tiering, replication)
- All array software features included
- Drive security
- FIPS 140-2 SED options
- FIPS SED options
Where HPE MSA 2062 wins
- Ships with two 1.92TB SSDs and the Advanced Data Services license included, so auto-tiering, snapshots, and replication work on day one
- Excellent price-to-feature ratio for SMB and ROBO budgets
- Automated sub-LUN tiering blends SSD and HDD for cost-effective mixed workloads
- Fits cleanly into an all-HPE estate with ProLiant servers, Aruba networking, and GreenLake
- TAA-compliant configurations sourceable via GPC, SAP, and FAR for federal and SLED buyers
Where Dell PowerVault ME5 wins
- Higher peak IOPS and sequential throughput headroom, strong for all-flash builds
- Scales much further within one entry array, up to 336 drives and 8PB
- ADAPT distributed RAID delivers faster rebuilds and reduced exposure after a drive failure
- Dense ME5084 84-drive 5U enclosures maximize capacity per rack unit
- CloudIQ cloud-based analytics for proactive health and capacity monitoring
Which one should you buy?
First SAN for an SMB replacing direct-attached storage on a tight budget
Pick HPE MSA 2062. The bundled SSDs and included Advanced Data Services license mean tiering, snapshots, and replication are ready without add-on purchases, maximizing value for a first-time buyer.
Branch or remote office needing simple, reliable shared block storage
Pick HPE MSA 2062. Compact dual-controller design with auto-tiering and straightforward management suits ROBO sites with limited on-site IT staff.
Growing environment expecting to scale toward multi-petabyte capacity
Pick Dell PowerVault ME5. The ME5 scales to 336 drives and 8PB within one array, with dense ME5084 enclosures that postpone a platform upgrade.
Performance-sensitive small database or analytics on all-flash
Pick Dell PowerVault ME5. Higher peak IOPS and ADAPT's fast rebuilds give the ME5 an edge for all-flash, throughput-heavy workloads.
Standardizing storage alongside an all-HPE server and networking estate
Pick HPE MSA 2062. Single-vendor purchasing, support, and lifecycle alignment with ProLiant, Aruba, and GreenLake simplify operations.
Frequently asked
What is the main difference between the HPE MSA 2062 and Dell PowerVault ME5?
Both are entry-level dual-controller block SANs, but the HPE MSA 2062 bundles two 1.92TB SSDs and the Advanced Data Services license for the best out-of-box value, while the Dell PowerVault ME5 scales further (up to 336 drives and 8PB) and posts higher peak IOPS. The MSA 2062 is the value pick for small hybrid-flash SANs; the ME5 is the pick for larger capacity growth and all-flash throughput.
Is the HPE MSA 2062 or PowerVault ME5 faster?
On raw peak performance the PowerVault ME5 is rated higher, up to roughly 840,000 IOPS versus around 395,000 IOPS for the MSA 2062, and it offers more sequential throughput headroom. For typical SMB and ROBO mixed workloads, the MSA 2062's auto-tiering keeps performance more than adequate, so the difference matters most for all-flash or database-heavy use.
How much can each entry SAN scale?
The HPE MSA 2062 scales to 240 small-form-factor drives across nine expansion enclosures for roughly 921TB raw. The Dell PowerVault ME5 scales to 336 drives and up to 8PB, including dense 84-drive ME5084 enclosures, making it the better fit when long-term capacity growth is a priority.
Which array offers better value for an SMB or ROBO deployment?
The HPE MSA 2062 typically offers better day-one value because it includes two 1.92TB SSDs and the Advanced Data Services license, so snapshots, sub-LUN auto-tiering, and remote replication are enabled out of the box. With the ME5 you generally configure flash separately, though Dell includes all array software features in the base price.
What RAID does each storage array use?
The HPE MSA 2062 uses virtualized RAID with wide striping and automated sub-LUN tiering across SSD and HDD. The Dell PowerVault ME5 offers ADAPT distributed (erasure-coded) RAID in addition to traditional linear and virtual pools; ADAPT spreads data and parity across all drives in a pool for faster rebuilds and reduced exposure after a drive failure.
Do both support Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and SAS host connectivity?
Yes. The HPE MSA 2062 is sold as protocol-specific models offering 16Gb FC, 10/25GbE iSCSI, or 12Gb SAS host ports. The Dell PowerVault ME5 supports 16/32Gb FC, 10/25Gb iSCSI, and 12Gb SAS, giving it a slightly higher 32Gb FC ceiling for bandwidth-intensive deployments.
Are the HPE MSA 2062 and PowerVault ME5 TAA-compliant and available on GSA or SAP/FAR channels?
Both vendors offer TAA-compliant configurations suitable for US federal, SLED, and healthcare buyers. As an authorized HPE reseller we can source the MSA 2062 in TAA-compliant builds through GPC, SAP, FAR, and other federal contract vehicles, and we can help align either platform to your procurement requirements.
Which is better for a small database server?
For a small, performance-sensitive database, the PowerVault ME5 in an all-flash configuration has more IOPS headroom and faster ADAPT rebuilds. For a mixed transactional database that benefits from cost-efficient tiering, the MSA 2062's included SSDs and auto-tiering deliver strong performance at a lower entry price.
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