Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Workstation

Description

This is the first major workstation in 15 years to feature an AMD processor, but not just any processor. The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Threadripper workstation features AMD’s Threadripper PRO, which is different from the non-PRO Threadripper in that it offers 8x memory channels compared to only 4x. Memory capacity has been bumped up from 256GB on the Threadripper CPU, to 2TB on the PRO version. However, I should mention that this system is listed as supporting a maximum of 1TB of memory. You also get 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes compared to only 64 lanes with the Threadripper. This system is designed to support developers, designers and artists realize their creations in real time.

Performance

The AMD Threadripper PRO offers similar performance features compared to the AMD EPYC-series processors with support for 128 lanes of PCIe 4.0, 8x memory channels, and up to 64 cores—basically more cores than you can achieve with dual Intel Xeon Scalable Platinum processors. If 64-cores is more than you need, this system also supports AMD Threadripper Pro CPUs with 12, 16, 32 or 64-cores. This is game-changing performance for those using complex multi-threaded applications in special effects, automotive and aerospace applications, plus oil & gas exploration.

Memory

Memory speed will run at up to 3200MHz with AMD’s Threadripper PRO CPU using either load reduced (LRDIMM) or registered (RDIMM) DDR4 memory modules. Using RDIMMs ECC memory modules the system will support a maximum of 1TB. With only 8x memory module slots, and 8x memory channels, memory performance is optimized.

Storage

There are 6x SATA connectors supporting up to four 3.5-inch drive bays inside the case in two separate drive cages. Only one drive cage supporting two 3.5-inch drives is standard, the other is optional. Two more 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives can be installed with one in each of the two media bays using an optional storage kit. There are also two M.2 slots on the system board with a heat sink tapping into the PCIe 4.0 bandwidth. Additional NVMe M.2 drives can be installed using optional PCIe adapter cards.

Expansion

6x PCIe 4.0 slots on the system board support various PCIe cards that can be used for faster network communications, HD/ RAID adapters, WiFi, and GPUs. Integrated video is not available, you will need to install at least one graphics card (GPU) to connect a monitor. You can install up to 4x single-wide, high-end graphics cards or two ultra-high-end, double-wide Nvidia Quadro RTX graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 8000.

Management

The system runs on Windows 10 Pro, instead of the more expensive Windows 10 for Workstations. Diagnostic LED lights on the small control panel in front can help with troubleshooting the Lenovo P620 workstation. There’s also an optional 4-character diagnostic screen for more specific faults.

Summary

With the performance offered by AMD’s Threadripper PRO processor this system is more than a match for a system with dual Intel processors. The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Threadripper workstation delivers the highest performance for multi-threaded applications used by developers, designers, artists, and any other graphics-enhanced applications like financial analytics, oil and gas exploration, plus architecture, engineering, and construction. While many of the components supported on this system use the PCIe 3.0 bus, Lenovo will be offering updated, PCIe 4.0 compatible hardware for the system.