Difference 1: Xeon, multi-core CPU, achieving more powerful computing power.
An important difference between workstation and PC lies in the choice of chipset and processor. The former often adopts workstation-class chipset and multi-core processor with more powerful performance, or supports multi-processors to meet a large number of floating-point operations and 3D rendering work in graphics applications. As we all know, the key application fields of high-end visualization technology, such as oil and gas exploration, geographic information system, large cars, airplanes, CAD/CAM manufacturing, digital content creation, etc., put forward extremely demanding requirements for computer hardware configuration. Only a powerful Xeon processor can support the visualization of massive data and the high-speed and stable operation of high-definition complex three-dimensional graphics data.
Difference 2: Professional graphics card fully supports OpenGL standard and realizes multi-screen display.
In terms of graphic display, workstations generally use professional 2D or 3D graphics cards. Unlike ordinary graphics cards that focus on optimizing DirectX and a few games that use OpenGL, professional graphics cards fully support OpenGL standards and provide hardware acceleration. And it supports higher screen resolution or multi-head output, just like NVIDIA Quadro NVS 295, an optional professional 2D graphics card of HP Z200, which can support dual 2560x 1600 resolution output, while EliteBook 8540w/8740w, a mobile workstation equipped with ATI graphics card, can support up to five independent display screens, which is especially suitable for the needs of users such as graphic design and finance for large-screen display. Professional 3D graphics cards have specially optimized the commonly used 3D design software, and the processing effect is better. It can display complex 3D models with high precision and has higher performance in professional software applications.
Difference 3: massive memory, ECC error correction, more powerful scalability.
Compared with PC, workstation has better expansibility. Professional applications such as graphic design and video editing require a lot of memory. PCs often support up to 8~ 16GB of memory, while workstations often use 64-bit operating systems, which can support more memory. Even the entry-level Z200/Z200SFF workstation can support 16GB ECC memory. ECC memory can detect and automatically correct temporary memory errors, and improve data integrity and system reliability. For e-mail, word processing and other applications, data integrity problems may not be serious. However, for mission-critical design or financial transaction applications, jumping from a0 to a 1 may bring catastrophic failures and cause serious losses.
Difference 4: Liquid cooling ensures continuous high-load and stable operation.
The stability of continuous high-load work is not only a major feature that distinguishes workstations from PCs, but also an obvious advantage of brand workstations over computers. Workstations need to work for a long time, which requires high stability of the system, so they often choose more reliable hardware. In addition to key components such as graphics card and CPU, the workstation also uses high-quality power supply to ensure the stability of power supply when working for a long time. In addition, we will not hesitate to spend money on heat dissipation and mute. Both the entry-level HP Z400 and the high-end workstation HP Z800 adopt mature liquid cooling technology, which solves the contradiction between "heat dissipation" and "noise" once and for all.
Difference 5: Extensive ISV certification provides more comprehensive compatibility.
As the technical highlight of workstations, the extensive ISV certification strongly proves the advantages of brand workstations in stability and compatibility. Workstations have the most extensive ISV certification in the industry. Through the cooperative certification test with independent software developers such as Adobe, Autodesk, Ansys and Avid, the performance of professional software on workstation platform is more stable. Even an animation giant like DreamWorks, faced with huge 3D rendering and calculation work, the workstation can still run smoothly for a long time with high load, effectively avoiding the work delay caused by downtime.
A successful workstation product is not just a pile of high-quality hardware. Every workstation has been strictly tested by the laboratory before leaving the factory to ensure its excellent quality and reliability. In the face of increasingly fierce product homogeneity, the leading brand workstation manufacturers in the industry also provide value-added services such as independent innovation software, random third-party value-added software and high-quality after-sales service on the basis of strong hardware configuration. I believe the problems mentioned above have been solved in the lecture hall of HP workstation today.