Enterprise AI Server
Comparison 2026
Comprehensive analysis of leading enterprise GPU server platforms. Compare specifications, pricing, support, and real-world performance to select the optimal infrastructure for your AI workloads.
2026 AI Server Market
Understanding the landscape for informed infrastructure decisions
Why Server Selection Matters
The enterprise AI server market reached $245 billion in 2025 (ABI Research) and is projected to grow at 18% CAGR through 2030. The transition from NVIDIA Hopper (H100/H200) to Blackwell (B200/B300) architecture represents the most significant GPU platform shift in enterprise AI history, with server rack values increasing from $1.5-3 million (Hopper) to $3-4 million (Blackwell).
Selecting the right OEM partner is a multi-million dollar decision that impacts performance, TCO, deployment timelines, and long-term scalability. This guide provides verified data from official manufacturer sources to help you make an informed decision.
2026 Flagship 8-GPU Server Comparison
Head-to-head specifications of flagship AI server platforms
| Feature | Dell XE9680L | SMC A21GE-NBRT | HPE XD685 | Lenovo SR680a V3 | Gigabyte G894 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Options | 8x H200/B200/B300 | 8x H200/B200/B300 | 8x H200/B200/B300/MI355X | 8x H100/H200/B200 | 8x H200/B200/B300 |
| Form Factor | 4U (liquid-cooled) | 8U/10U (air), 4U (liquid) | 5U (DLC) / 6U (air) | 8U air-cooled | 8U air-cooled |
| CPU Platform | Intel Xeon 5th/6th Gen | Intel or AMD EPYC | AMD EPYC 9005 | Intel Xeon 5th Gen | Intel Xeon 6 or AMD |
| System Memory | Up to 4TB DDR5 | Up to 8TB DDR5 | Up to 6TB DDR5 | Up to 4TB DDR5 | Up to 6TB DDR5 |
| NVMe Storage | Up to 8x E3.S | Up to 19x NVMe | Up to 12x EDSFF E3.S | Up to 16x PCIe 5.0 | Up to 16x NVMe |
| Cooling Options | Liquid (standard) | Air or Liquid | DLC or Air | Air (Neptune optional) | Air (G4L3 = liquid) |
| Network Bandwidth | Up to 3.2 Tbps | Up to 4.22 Tbps | Up to 3.2 Tbps | Up to 1.6 Tbps | Up to 1.6 Tbps |
| Management | iDRAC9 Enterprise | IPMI / SMC Mgmt | iLO 6 | XClarity Controller 2 | IPMI / Giga Mgmt |
| Typical Lead Time | 6-8 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 6-10 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
All platforms support NVIDIA NVLink and NVSwitch for GPU interconnect. Liquid cooling increasingly required for B200/B300 deployments (1000W+ TDP). Lead times based on Q4 2025/Q1 2026 availability.
GPU Specifications Reference
Key specifications for supported AI accelerators
| GPU Model | Architecture | TDP | HBM Memory | Bandwidth | Form Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA H100 SXM | Hopper | 700W | 80GB HBM3 | 3.35 TB/s | SXM5 |
| NVIDIA H200 SXM | Hopper | 700W | 141GB HBM3e | 4.8 TB/s | SXM5 |
| NVIDIA B200 SXM | Blackwell | 1,000W | 180-192GB HBM3e | 8.0 TB/s | SXM5 |
| NVIDIA B300 SXM | Blackwell Ultra | 1,100W | 288GB HBM3e | 8.0 TB/s | SXM6 |
| AMD MI300X | CDNA 3 | 750W | 192GB HBM3 | 5.3 TB/s | OAM |
| AMD MI325X | CDNA 3 | 1,000W | 256GB HBM3e | 6.0 TB/s | OAM |
| AMD MI355X | CDNA 4 | 1,400W | 288GB HBM3e | 8.0 TB/s | OAM |
Sources: NVIDIA datasheets, AMD specifications, OEM product guides. Blackwell GPUs (B200/B300) increasingly require liquid cooling for production deployments.
Vendor Profiles
In-depth examination of each OEM partner's strengths and capabilities
Dell Technologies
Enterprise Standard LeaderAI Server Performance
- FY26 AI Server Shipment Target: ~$25 billion
- Q1 FY26 AI Server Orders: $12.1 billion (record)
- AI Server Backlog: $14.4 billion
- Five-Quarter Pipeline: $35+ billion
Key Differentiators
- 2025 IT Brand Pulse Market and Innovation Leader
- Serves 98 of Fortune 100 companies
- ProSupport Plus with 4-hour onsite parts replacement
- iDRAC9 with AI-driven predictive maintenance
- Secured Component Verification, silicon root of trust
Key Products
- PowerEdge XE9680L: 4U liquid-cooled, 8x H200/B200
- PowerEdge XE9780/XE9785: Next-gen Blackwell platforms
- PowerEdge XE8712: GB200 NVL4, up to 144 B200/rack
Best For
Fortune 500 enterprises with existing Dell infrastructure, organizations requiring proven reliability, mission-critical AI deployments with strict SLA requirements.
Supermicro
Density and Speed LeaderAI Server Performance
- First to ship HGX B200 in volume (Feb 2025)
- Direct Liquid Cooling market share: ~70%
- Lead time advantage: 2-4 weeks
- Growing hyperscale and neocloud customer base
Key Differentiators
- Fastest time-to-market for new GPU platforms
- Maximum rack density: 144 GPUs per rack (B300)
- DLC-2 technology captures 92% of server heat
- 10-15% lower hardware costs vs Dell/HPE
- TAA Compliant US-based manufacturing
Key Products
- SYS-A21GE-NBRT-G1: 10U air-cooled, 8x HGX B200
- SYS-422GS-NBRT-LCC: 4U liquid-cooled, 8x HGX B200
- 2-OU HGX B300: OCP ORV3, up to 144 GPUs/rack
Best For
Hyperscale cloud providers, organizations prioritizing maximum density, cost-sensitive enterprises with technical expertise, government/sovereign deployments (TAA compliance).
HPE
Hybrid Cloud PioneerAI Server Performance
- Juniper Networks Acquisition: $14 billion
- GreenLake ARR: $3.2 billion
- GreenLake Customers: 46,000+
- #1 in 50+ MLPerf industry benchmarks
Key Differentiators
- HPC heritage via Cray acquisition
- GreenLake AI-as-a-service consumption pricing
- Warm water (45-50C) cooling: 30-40% energy savings
- iLO 6/7 with silicon root of trust security
- AI-native networking via Juniper
Key Products
- ProLiant XD685: 5U DLC / 6U air, 8x B200/B300/MI355X
- ProLiant DL384b Gen12: GB200 NVL4
- AI Mod POD: Containerized modular AI data center
Best For
HPC and supercomputing deployments, organizations seeking consumption-based models, government and sovereign AI projects, regulated industries requiring silicon root of trust security.
Lenovo
Global Enterprise ReliabilityAI Server Performance
- Neptune Liquid Cooling Revenue: +154% YoY
- Q2 FY25/26 Revenue: $20.5 billion (record)
- Fortune Global 500 Rank: #196
- Global support across 180 countries
Key Differentiators
- Neptune warm-water cooling (45-50C), 80% water-cooled
- 5-10% lower cost than Dell equivalent configs
- TruScale pay-as-you-go consumption pricing
- AI Cloud Gigafactory partnership with NVIDIA
- Strong APAC and EMEA market presence
Key Products
- ThinkSystem SR680a V3: 8U air-cooled, 8x H100/H200/B200
- ThinkSystem SR780a V3: 5U Neptune, 8x H200
- ThinkSystem SC777 V4: GB200-based (2 Grace + 4 Blackwell)
Best For
Global enterprises requiring 180-country support, organizations prioritizing energy efficiency, budget-conscious enterprises unwilling to compromise on support.
Gigabyte (Giga Computing)
Flexibility and Value LeaderAI Server Performance
- Rapid adoption of NVIDIA Blackwell platforms
- GIGAPOD AI factory solution growing
- Expanding North American/European presence
- Strong OEM/ODM relationships with hyperscalers
Key Differentiators
- OEM/ODM flexibility with custom configurations
- Price competitiveness at or below Supermicro
- Fast adoption of new GPU generations
- Taiwan manufacturing with strong supply chain
- NVIDIA Certified validated systems
Key Products
- G894-SD3-AAX7: 8U air-cooled, 8x HGX B300 NVL8
- G4L3 Series: 4U liquid-cooled, 8x HGX B200/B300
- GIGAPOD: Rack-scale AI supercomputing solution
- W775-V10: Deskside supercomputer with GB300
Best For
System integrators needing OEM/ODM flexibility, budget-conscious deployments, custom configuration requirements, AI developers (W775-V10 deskside).
Estimated Server Pricing (Q1 2026)
Based on published quotes from authorized resellers
Important Pricing Disclaimer
These are estimated price ranges based on published quotes from authorized resellers and industry sources. Actual pricing varies significantly based on configuration (CPU, memory, storage, networking), volume and enterprise agreements, current GPU availability, regional pricing differences, and support contract levels. Always request current quotes from SLYD or authorized OEM partners.
| Configuration | Estimated Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HGX H100 8-GPU System | $250,000 - $350,000 | Previous generation, declining availability |
| HGX H200 8-GPU System | $320,000 - $420,000 | Current mainstream |
| HGX B200 8-GPU System | $340,000 - $500,000+ | Based on Arc Compute/Aivres starting prices |
| HGX B300 8-GPU System | $430,000 - $550,000+ | Based on Arc Compute/Aivres starting prices |
| DGX H200 System | $400,000 - $500,000 | NVIDIA-branded, premium |
Relative OEM Pricing Positioning
5-Year TCO Framework
Hardware represents only ~50% of 5-year TCO for AI infrastructure
TCO Components
Estimated 5-Year TCO (8x B200 Configuration)
| Component | Dell | Supermicro | HPE | Lenovo | Gigabyte |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware (est.) | $400K | $350K | $380K | $360K | $340K |
| Support (5yr) | $200K | $100K | $190K | $130K | $80K |
| Power (5yr) | $1.1M | $1.1M | $950K | $1.0M | $1.1M |
| Cooling (5yr) | $550K | $550K | $380K | $400K | $550K |
| Maintenance | $130K | $190K | $135K | $150K | $180K |
| Management | $160K | $250K | $170K | $190K | $240K |
| Est. 5-Year TCO | $2.54M | $2.54M | $2.31M | $2.23M | $2.49M |
Critical Disclaimer: These are illustrative estimates only. Actual TCO varies dramatically based on actual hardware pricing, energy costs, existing cooling infrastructure, support contract levels, utilization rates, and staff expertise.
Decision Framework
Match your requirements to the optimal OEM partner
Use Case Recommendations
Decision Criteria Matrix
| Criteria | Dell | Supermicro | HPE | Lenovo | Gigabyte |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Integration | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Support Quality | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Price Competitiveness | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Time-to-Market | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Rack Density | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Liquid Cooling | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Configuration Flexibility | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Financial Stability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Support Comparison
Enterprise support capabilities across all OEM partners
| Aspect | Dell | Supermicro | HPE | Lenovo | Gigabyte |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Support | ProSupport | Business-tier | Foundation Care | Premier Support | Partner-dependent |
| Premium Support | ProSupport Plus | Mission Critical | Proactive Care | TruScale Services | Custom SLAs |
| SLA Options | 4-hour onsite | Next business day | 4-hour onsite | 4-hour onsite | Varies |
| Global Coverage | 170+ countries | 100+ countries | 170+ countries | 180 countries | 50+ countries |
| AI-Specific Services | AI Factory Services | DCBBS | AI Factory Solutions | AI Services Practice | GIGAPOD Services |
| Financing | Dell Financial | Limited | GreenLake | TruScale | Limited |
| Management Platform | iDRAC9 | IPMI/SMC Suite | iLO 6 | XClarity | IPMI/Standard |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about enterprise AI server selection
What is the best 8-GPU AI server in 2026?
The best 8-GPU AI server depends on your requirements:
- Dell PowerEdge XE9680L: Proven enterprise reliability with iDRAC9 management (6-8 week lead time)
- Supermicro SYS-A21GE-NBRT: Fastest delivery (2-4 weeks) and maximum density (144 GPUs/rack)
- HPE ProLiant XD685: Superior liquid cooling for 30-40% energy savings
- Lenovo SR680a V3: Neptune hybrid cooling at competitive pricing
- Gigabyte G894-SD3: Maximum configuration flexibility at value pricing
What is the 5-year TCO for an 8-GPU B200 server?
The estimated 5-year TCO for an 8x B200 GPU server ranges from $2.2M to $2.6M depending on vendor, configuration, and cooling infrastructure.
- HPE: ~$2.31M (lowest due to superior liquid cooling efficiency)
- Lenovo: ~$2.23M (Neptune cooling efficiency)
- Dell/Supermicro: ~$2.5M (different tradeoffs - Dell: support, Supermicro: lower hardware)
Hardware represents only 45-55% of 5-year TCO. Power and cooling are the largest ongoing costs.
How much does an 8-GPU B200 server cost in 2026?
Estimated pricing for 8-GPU HGX B200 servers ranges from $340,000 to $500,000+ depending on configuration and vendor:
- Dell: $400K-$500K (premium pricing)
- HPE: $380K-$480K (mid-premium)
- Lenovo: $360K-$460K (competitive)
- Supermicro: $350K-$450K (value)
- Gigabyte: $340K-$440K (budget)
For B300 systems, expect $430,000-$550,000+. These are estimates; actual pricing varies with configuration and enterprise agreements.
What GPU options are supported in 2026 AI servers?
2026 AI servers support multiple GPU platforms:
- NVIDIA H100 SXM: 80GB HBM3, 700W TDP
- NVIDIA H200 SXM: 141GB HBM3e, 700W TDP
- NVIDIA B200 SXM: 180-192GB HBM3e, 1000W TDP
- NVIDIA B300 SXM: 288GB HBM3e, 1400W TDP
- AMD MI300X: 192GB HBM3, 750W TDP
- AMD MI325X: 256GB HBM3e, 1000W TDP
- AMD MI355X: 288GB HBM3e, 1400W TDP
What cooling is required for NVIDIA Blackwell B200/B300 GPUs?
NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs (B200 at 1000W, B300 at 1400W TDP) increasingly require liquid cooling:
- Air cooling with containment: Up to 35 kW/rack (PUE 1.50)
- Rear-door heat exchangers: 50-75 kW/rack (PUE 1.35)
- Direct-to-chip liquid: 50-100+ kW/rack (PUE 1.20)
- Immersion: 100+ kW/rack (PUE 1.10)
An 8-GPU B200 system draws 13-16 kW, making liquid cooling strongly recommended for density and efficiency.
Which OEM has the fastest AI server delivery times?
Supermicro offers the fastest delivery at 2-4 weeks due to agile manufacturing and first-to-market strategy.
- Supermicro: 2-4 weeks (fastest)
- Gigabyte: 4-6 weeks
- Dell/Lenovo: 6-8 weeks
- HPE: 6-10 weeks (during constrained periods)
For time-sensitive AI projects, Supermicro's speed-to-deployment can provide competitive advantage worth millions in faster revenue generation.
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Data Verification Notes
Sources: Official OEM press releases and product documentation, SEC filings and quarterly earnings calls (Dell, Supermicro, HPE), financial analyst reports (ABI Research, IoT Analytics, 650 Group), authorized reseller pricing (Arc Compute, Uvation, IT Creations). Limitations: Pricing is estimated and varies significantly by configuration and timing. TCO figures are illustrative frameworks, not guarantees. Lead times fluctuate with demand and GPU availability. Specifications may change as OEMs update product lines. Last Updated: January 2026.