HP Z6 G4 Workstation Tower

Description

Start out with just a single processor and six memory slots, then as your workload increases add a CPU mezzanine with a second processor slot and six more memory slots. The HP Z6 G4 is a workhorse workstation that can handle just about anything and has plenty of room for expansion. This system is ideal for VFX and 3D rendering applications with support for multiple graphics cards from either NVIDIA or AMD.

Performance

The system will support one or two 1st or 2nd generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (Intel Xeon SP) with a thermal design power rating of up to 205W. Also supported are the Intel Xeon W-3200 series CPUs with up to 28 cores. With both processors installed it can support up to 56 total processing cores with both processors installed or a single 28 core CPU. The second processor is installed on an optional CPU/Memory module tray, which connects to the system board through a large slot just above the PCIe slots. The CPU/Memory module also has six more memory slots for double the memory supported by just a single processor. Each Scalable processor supports six memory channels. The system is powered by a single 1000W 90% efficient power supply unit (PSU).

Memory

Registered DIMMs (RDIMM), Load Reduced DIMMs (LRDIMM) are supported. Intel Optane Data Centric Persistent Memory Modules are also supported but only with a 2nd generation Intel Xeon SP. With a single processor installed, the system can support up to 384GB of memory using the 6x active memory module slots on the system board. With two processors installed on the system, all 12x memory module slots are active and the system will support a maximum of 768GB of memory using 64GB memory modules. Memory runs at speeds that include 2133MHz, 2400MHz, 2666MHz or 2933MHz depending on both the speed of the processor, and the memory speed of the installed memory modules with the system defaulting to the slowest performer between the two. In the case of the Z6 G4, each memory modules runs on its own memory channel. On the Z8 G4 workstation there are 24 memory module slots, and each memory channel supports two memory modules. Only registered DDR4 memory modules are supported.

Storage

HP says the Z6 G4 will support a maximum of 22TB of storage. There are two internal storage bays, and two additional storage bays using the optical drive bays on the front of the system outfitted with optional drive cages. Both storage conditions can support either 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch HDDs or SSDs. Optional super-fast storage is provided by two M.2 slots, SATA only, on the system board. You can also add an HP Quad Turbo Drive PCIe card that supports up to four M.2 storage devices at up to 1TB each. Both SAS and SATA are supported but SAS will require an optional PCIe card HD/RAID controller. If you are going with SATA drives you can use the integrated drive controller with 6Gb/s speeds that supports RAID 0, 1 and NCQ with Windows only. Operating systems other than Windows will require a stand up PCIe card for use as an HD/RAID controller.

Expansion

There are six possible PCIe slots on the system board, if you don’t count PCIe slot 0 used to connect the second CPU/Memory module or the other two PCIe x4 slots on the system board that support two M.2 storage devices. Slots 1, 2, 4, and 5 are active with a single processor, along with both M.2 x4 slots. Slot 4 which is a x8 slot, converts to a x4 slot with the addition of the second M.2 module. With the addition of the CPU/memory module PCIe slots 3 and 6 become active. All PCIe slots on the system board are Gen 3.0 but are backward compatible to support older technology at somewhat slower speeds. This platform will support up to three single-width GPUs, like the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200. For high-end graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX A6000 48GB card, only one is supported.

Management

Intel Active Management Technology gives you an advanced set of out-of-band management tools to remotely access the system for status, diagnosis, and remediation. HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS) enables you to access your workstation using another PC, a Mac, or Windows-based tablet from anywhere with a suitable Internet connection. RGS only transmits the pixel information and is limited on screen resolution but does a great job enabling the design process to continue. The HP Performance Advisor helps you to tailor your working environment to get the most out of your Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certified programs.

Summary

The HP Z6 G4 workstation may be the second most powerful desktop workstation in HP’s G4 lineup but it still delivers the goods where performance is concerned. It offers support for top-of-the-line Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 26 cores each for 56 cores total in a two-processor configuration. Single processor applications can The HP Performance Advisor will also help you get the most performance from your ISV certified programs.