The HP Z800 Workstation is a name that resonates strongly with professionals who demand power, reliability, and versatility from their computing hardware. Introduced by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2009, the HP Z800 quickly became a staple in industries like video editing, 3D modeling, engineering, scientific simulations, and more. Its robust build, ability to handle multiple CPUs and significant amounts of RAM, combined with a strong focus on expandability, made it a popular choice for those needing serious computing power without compromise.
In this blog post, we will delve into the features, specifications, hardware capabilities, and upgradability of the HP Z800, and also discuss why it remains a relevant option even today, many years after its release.
Overview: A Beast of a Workstation
At the heart of the HP Z800’s success is its dual-processor design and impressive build quality. This machine was specifically created to cater to the needs of professionals who work with resource-intensive applications like Autodesk Maya, Adobe Premiere Pro, and SolidWorks. The ability to pack in two Intel Xeon processors, up to 192GB of RAM, and high-performance NVIDIA Quadro or ATI FirePro GPUs meant that the Z800 was a powerhouse, capable of handling even the most demanding workflows.
Key highlights of the HP Z800 include:
- Dual CPU Support: The Z800 supports two Intel Xeon processors, providing massive parallel processing power.
- Up to 192GB of ECC RAM: Memory scalability is one of the key features, making it an excellent choice for data-intensive tasks.
- High-end Graphics Options: Designed for professional workloads, the Z800 can be fitted with workstation-grade graphics cards.
- Tool-less Design: HP’s tool-less chassis allows for easy upgrades and maintenance.
- Exceptional Expandability: Multiple PCIe slots, hard drive bays, and support for RAID configurations.
- Excellent Build Quality: The Z800 has a sleek, industrial design with a heavy-duty aluminum chassis.
Hardware Specifications
At launch, the HP Z800 came with some of the best hardware options available at the time. Let’s break down the key components of this workstation.
1. Processors (CPUs)
The HP Z800 supports dual Intel Xeon 5500 or 5600 series processors, which use Nehalem and Westmere architectures, respectively. These CPUs are designed for high-performance computing tasks like rendering, simulations, and data analysis.
- Intel Xeon 5500 Series: Includes processors such as the Xeon E5520 and X5550. These CPUs have up to 4 cores and 8 threads, supporting Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost.
- Intel Xeon 5600 Series: The more powerful series, including the X5650, X5660, and X5670. These CPUs offer up to 6 cores and 12 threads, making the Z800 a highly capable system for multi-threaded applications.
The dual-CPU configuration means the HP Z800 can take advantage of up to 12 physical cores and 24 logical threads when paired with two Xeon X5670 processors. This makes it perfect for highly parallel workloads like 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific simulations.
2. Memory (RAM)
The Z800 supports ECC (Error-Correcting Code) RAM, which is essential for professionals working in mission-critical environments. With 12 DIMM slots and support for up to 192GB of DDR3 RAM, this machine is capable of handling extremely large datasets.
- Memory Configuration: The RAM operates in triple-channel mode when installed in groups of three, which increases memory bandwidth. ECC ensures data integrity, reducing the chance of data corruption during processing.
For users running multiple virtual machines, large-scale simulations, or editing ultra-high-definition video, the memory scalability of the Z800 is a significant advantage.
3. Graphics (GPU)
Graphics performance is crucial for many of the industries that rely on workstations, and the HP Z800 does not disappoint in this regard. It supports professional-grade GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD:
- NVIDIA Quadro Series: These cards are designed for professionals working with 3D modeling, CAD, and other graphics-intensive applications. Options include the Quadro FX 5800, Quadro 4000, and later, the Quadro K5000.
- ATI FirePro Series: Another option for graphics professionals, with cards like the FirePro V8750 available for users needing precision in visual workloads.
The Z800 also supports multiple GPUs, allowing for greater flexibility in GPU computing or multi-monitor setups. While consumer GPUs like the GeForce GTX series can be installed, professional GPUs such as Quadro or FirePro are optimized for accuracy, stability, and performance in creative and engineering applications.
4. Storage Options
In terms of storage, the Z800 offers four internal hard drive bays, with options for both SATA and SAS drives. The workstation also supports RAID configurations (0, 1, 5, 10), which provide either improved performance or data redundancy.
- SATA Drives: For general-purpose storage, standard SATA II drives can be installed.
- SAS Drives: For higher performance, particularly in enterprise or high-performance computing environments, SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives can be installed.
Although SSD (Solid-State Drive) options were less common at the time of its release, many users have upgraded their Z800 with SSDs, which significantly improve boot times and data transfer speeds.
5. Expandability and I/O
The HP Z800 is designed with expandability in mind, featuring:
- Seven PCIe Slots: Including PCIe Gen 2 x16 slots for high-performance GPUs or expansion cards.
- 10 USB 2.0 Ports: While it lacks USB 3.0 natively, PCIe cards can be added for additional ports.
- FireWire and eSATA Ports: Useful for high-speed external storage devices.
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet: Ensuring fast and reliable networking.
The workstation also supports audio cards, capture cards, and other professional-grade expansion components, making it a versatile platform for nearly any workflow.
Build Quality and Design
One of the standout features of the HP Z800 is its tool-less design. The workstation’s industrial aesthetic is not only sleek but also highly functional. You can open the side panel without any tools, and many components, including hard drives, expansion cards, and RAM, can be installed or removed without a screwdriver.
This makes upgrading and maintenance much easier compared to standard desktop machines. The workstation also features liquid cooling for the CPUs, ensuring that even under heavy workloads, the system remains cool and quiet.
The chassis is made from high-grade aluminum, ensuring durability and excellent heat dissipation. The design allows for efficient airflow, with multiple fans keeping the internal components cool, which is crucial when using dual CPUs and high-performance GPUs.
Use Cases: Who Should Consider the HP Z800?
While the HP Z800 was initially released over a decade ago, it remains a viable option for a range of professional uses, especially when considering its affordability in the second-hand market. Here are some scenarios where the Z800 still shines:
- Video Editing and Post-Production: The dual CPU setup and large RAM capacity make the Z800 ideal for video editing tasks, including working with 4K footage in applications like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. Paired with a high-end GPU, the Z800 can handle rendering tasks efficiently.
- 3D Rendering and Animation: For professionals working in Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Cinema 4D, the processing power and memory capabilities of the Z800 make it well-suited for rendering complex scenes and animations.
- CAD and Engineering: For CAD (Computer-Aided Design) professionals using software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks, the precision and power of the Z800, along with its compatibility with NVIDIA Quadro cards, ensure smooth performance even on large projects.
- Scientific Computing: Researchers and scientists working with simulations, modeling, or large datasets in software like MATLAB or ANSYS will benefit from the multi-threaded performance and memory capacity.
- Virtualization: The HP Z800 can also function as a virtualization host, running multiple VMs (Virtual Machines) thanks to its multiple CPU cores and large memory support.
Future-Proofing and Upgradability
One of the most appealing aspects of the HP Z800 is its upgradability. Even though it’s an older system, its dual CPU architecture and ample expansion slots mean that users can still upgrade its components to keep it relevant for modern workloads.
- Upgrade to SSDs: Installing SSD drives can drastically improve the system’s performance, especially for loading applications and working with large files.
- Graphics Cards: Modern GPUs like the NVIDIA GTX 10xx/20xx series or even RTX cards can be installed, making the Z800 capable of handling modern gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks.
- RAM Expansion: While 192GB of RAM may be overkill for many users, upgrading the system to 64GB or 128GB is relatively affordable and future-proofs the workstation for intensive tasks.
Conclusion: A Workhorse That Stands the Test of Time
The HP Z800 Workstation is an iconic machine, offering immense power and flexibility for a wide range of professional uses. Despite its age, the Z800 continues to serve as a reliable and capable workstation for industries like video production, engineering, and scientific computing.
Its expandability, dual-processor capability, and robust build ensure that even today, the HP Z800 can handle demanding workloads with ease. For professionals looking for a cost-effective yet powerful solution, especially in the second-hand market, the HP Z800 remains an excellent option.