HP Z8 G 2025

Basic information

The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation represents HP's flagship desktop workstation line, designed for extreme performance and scalability in professional environments. This series includes the HP Z8 G5 and the HP Z8 Fury G5 models, both featuring the latest generation of Intel Xeon processors.

• Model: HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation (including HP Z8 G5 and HP Z8 Fury G5)
• Version: G5
• Release Date: The G5 series was introduced in early 2023, with continued relevance and updates extending into 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Configurations vary widely, starting with specific Intel Xeon W-series or Scalable processors, DDR5 ECC memory, and NVMe SSD storage.
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Pro, WSL2, and various Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop).
• Latest Stable Version: G5 series.
• End of Support Date: Specific end-of-support dates for the G5 series are not yet publicly announced. HP typically provides support for at least 5 years after a product is designated "Retired."
• End of Life Date: Not yet announced for the G5 series.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Windows 10 security updates are scheduled to conclude in October 2025, necessitating a shift to Windows 11 for continued updates.
• License Type: Typically sold with an OEM license for the chosen operating system (e.g., Windows 11 Pro).
• Deployment Model: Desktop Tower Workstation.

Technical Specifications

The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation offers robust and highly configurable technical specifications to meet the most demanding professional workloads.

• Processor:
  • HP Z8 G5: Supports up to two 4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, offering up to 64 cores total (e.g., 2x 32 cores).
  • HP Z8 Fury G5: Features a single Intel Xeon W-3400 series CPU (4th Generation 'Sapphire Rapids'), configurable with up to 60 cores.
• RAM:
  • HP Z8 G5: Up to 1 TB DDR5 ECC memory.
  • HP Z8 Fury G5: Up to 2 TB DDR5 ECC memory.
  • Speed: DDR5-4800 DIMM ECC REG Memory.
• Storage: Configurable with up to 136 TB of storage. Options include high-speed PCIe NVMe SSDs and traditional SATA HDDs. Both models feature front-accessible, hot-swappable NVMe bays (two for Z8 G5, four for Z8 Fury G5).
• Graphics:
  • HP Z8 G5: Supports up to two high-end, dual-slot GPUs, such as NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation or AMD Radeon Pro W6800.
  • HP Z8 Fury G5: Accommodates up to four high-end GPUs, including NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation, ideal for AI and deep learning.
• Display: Requires discrete graphics cards, as there is no integrated monitor support. Graphics cards support multiple high-definition displays.
• Ports:
  • Front I/O: Includes multiple USB Type-A and Type-C ports, a headphone jack, and an optional SD card reader. The Z8 G5 offers 4x USB 3 Type-A (5 Gbps signaling rate, one charging).
  • Rear I/O: Features 6x USB 3 Type-A (5 Gbps signaling rate), 2x integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports, audio line-out, and a power button. Optional 2x 10GbE LAN ports are available. Thunderbolt 4 technology is an optional feature.
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro, WSL2, or Linux distributions.
• Dimensions: The Z8 Fury G5 measures approximately 17.5 by 8.5 by 21.7 inches (HWD). The Z8 G5 has a similar large tower form factor.
• Weight:
  • HP Z8 G5: Ranges from a minimum of 22.5 kg (49.6 lbs) to a maximum of 33.8 kg (74.6 lbs), depending on configuration.
  • HP Z8 G4 (predecessor): Ranged from 22.4 kg (49.4 lbs) to 31.7 kg (70 lbs).

Analysis of Technical Specifications: The HP Z8 G5 Series workstations are powerhouses engineered for the most demanding professional applications. The Z8 G5 excels with its dual-processor architecture, providing immense CPU core counts for highly parallelized tasks. The Z8 Fury G5, while single-socket, offers a higher core count on a single CPU and superior multi-GPU support, making it an AI and deep learning powerhouse. The adoption of DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen5 slots ensures future-proof performance and rapid data throughput. Extensive storage options, including hot-swappable NVMe bays, provide both speed and vast capacity. The robust power supplies (up to 2250W for Fury) support these high-end components, while advanced thermal management ensures stable, quiet operation even under sustained heavy loads.

Support & Compatibility

The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation offers comprehensive support and broad compatibility for professional environments.

• Latest Version: G5 series (HP Z8 G5 and HP Z8 Fury G5).
• OS Support: Fully supports Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Pro, Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), and various Linux operating systems, including Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop.
• End of Support Date: Specific end-of-support dates for the G5 series are not yet published. HP typically provides hardware support for 5 years after a product's "Retired" status.
• Localization: Available in configurations supporting various regional keyboard layouts and localized operating system versions. English keyboard is a standard option.
• Available Drivers: HP provides comprehensive driver packs and software utilities for download, including HP Performance Advisor and HP System Software Manager (SSM).
• Cartridge and Ink Codes: Not applicable, as this is a workstation, not a printer.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: The HP Z8 G5 Series maintains HP's commitment to enterprise-grade support. Its broad operating system compatibility, including Windows and multiple Linux distributions, ensures flexibility for diverse professional workflows. The availability of official driver packs and management tools simplifies deployment and maintenance. While specific end-of-life dates for the G5 series are pending, HP's history with its Z-series workstations suggests a long lifecycle with consistent updates and support, including security bulletins for components.

Security Status

The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation integrates a robust suite of security features designed to protect critical data and intellectual property in demanding professional settings.

• Security Features: Includes HP Wolf Security for Business, which encompasses HP Sure Click, HP Sure Sense, HP Sure Run, HP Sure Recover, and HP Power On Authentication. It features HP Sure Start Gen7, a self-healing BIOS with intrusion detection, and a TPM 2.0 Embedded Security Chip (Common Criteria EAL4+ Certified). Additional features include Master Boot Record Security, BIOS Update via Network, Absolute Persistence Module, Pre-boot Authentication, HP Wireless Wakeup, SATA port disablement via BIOS, Serial and USB enable/disable via BIOS, power-on and setup passwords via BIOS, and physical support for chassis padlocks, cable lock devices, and an integrated hood sensor. Factory-enabled RAID configurations provide data protection.
• Known Vulnerabilities: HP regularly issues security bulletins for potential vulnerabilities identified in system components (e.g., Intel chipsets, AMD graphics, NVIDIA GPU drivers, HP Support Assistant). These are addressed through firmware and software updates.
• Blacklist Status: No known blacklist status.
• Certifications: TPM 2.0 is Common Criteria EAL4+ Certified. The workstation is ISV Certified for leading professional software applications and undergoes 360K hours of rigorous testing, including military-standard testing.
• Encryption Support: TPM 2.0 provides hardware-level support for encryption. Factory-enabled RAID offers data protection.
• Authentication Methods: Supports Power On Authentication, Pre-boot Authentication, and BIOS-level passwords for secure system access.
• General Recommendations: Users should leverage the full suite of HP Wolf Security features, maintain up-to-date BIOS and drivers, implement strong password policies, and utilize physical security options to maximize protection.

Analysis of Overall Security Rating: The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation offers an excellent security rating, providing multi-layered protection from the hardware level (BIOS, TPM) to the operating system and applications. HP Wolf Security for Business delivers proactive threat detection and recovery capabilities. Regular security updates for components demonstrate HP's ongoing commitment to maintaining a secure computing environment. The comprehensive certifications and rigorous testing further underscore its reliability and suitability for handling sensitive data and critical workloads.

Performance & Benchmarks

The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation delivers exceptional performance tailored for the most demanding professional tasks, leveraging cutting-edge hardware and advanced engineering.

• Benchmark Scores:
  • The HP Z8 Fury G5 shows significant performance gains over its predecessor, the Z8 G4, in benchmarks such as Geekbench 6 Pro (GPU Compute and CPU single-core) and rendering tasks like Maxon Redshift and Blender 3.6 GPU rendering.
  • The Z8 G4, as a reference, demonstrated excellent performance in industry benchmarks like Viewperf 13 and Cinebench. The G5 series is expected to surpass these.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Engineered to accelerate AI development and inferencing, machine learning model training, deep learning, virtual production, VFX, CGI, 3D rendering with real-time ray tracing, complex simulations (e.g., CFD), massive data analysis, 8K video editing, and advanced CAD.
• Power Consumption: Equipped with high-capacity power supplies: up to 1700W for the Z8 G5 and up to 2250W for the Z8 Fury G5, ensuring ample power for all components, including multiple high-end GPUs.
• Carbon Footprint: The HP Z8 Fury G5 demonstrates environmental consciousness, incorporating 40% recycled plastics, 10% recycled metal, and 80% sustainably sourced outer box packaging. It is EPEAT® Gold Climate+ registered.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: The Z8 Fury G5 is positioned as the "most powerful" among HP's Z-series workstations, particularly for GPU-intensive workloads. The Z8 G5, with its dual-socket design, offers unparalleled CPU performance. Both models represent a significant generational leap over the Z8 G4, especially with DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen5 support.

Analysis of Overall Performance Status: The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation delivers uncompromising performance, making it a leader in its class. The Z8 Fury G5 excels in single-socket, multi-GPU configurations, making it an ideal choice for AI, machine learning, and GPU-accelerated rendering. The Z8 G5, with its dual-socket architecture, provides superior CPU core density for highly parallelized computational tasks. Both benefit from DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen5, ensuring high bandwidth and low latency. Advanced thermal management systems, including smart fan control and optimized airflow, allow these workstations to sustain peak performance quietly, even under the heaviest workloads.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for the HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation highlight its exceptional capabilities for professionals tackling intensive computational and graphical tasks.

• Strengths: Users consistently praise the extreme performance, particularly the high core counts, massive memory capacity, and extensive GPU support, which are crucial for complex simulations, 3D rendering, and AI/ML development. The expandability, including tool-less access to components and numerous PCIe and hot-swappable NVMe slots, is highly valued for future-proofing and customization. The robust security features, part of HP Wolf Security, provide peace of mind for handling sensitive data. The advanced thermal design contributes to remarkably quiet operation, even under heavy loads. ISV certifications ensure compatibility and optimized performance with leading professional software.
• Weaknesses: The primary drawbacks noted are the high cost, which is expected for a workstation of this caliber, and its large physical footprint, requiring significant desk or floor space. Some older software applications may not fully leverage the massive number of CPU cores available, potentially leading to less-than-optimal utilization in specific workflows.
• Recommended Use Cases: The Z8 G5 Series is highly recommended for professionals in fields such as architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) for BIM and 3D CAD; creative media and entertainment for fast video editing, VFX, and sound/color editing; product design and engineering; data science and analytics; and software development, especially for AI, machine learning, deep learning, virtual reality, and complex scientific research.

Summary

The HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation, encompassing both the Z8 G5 and Z8 Fury G5 models, stands as a pinnacle of enterprise asset management for professionals requiring unparalleled computational power and expandability. This series leverages the latest 4th Generation Intel Xeon processors, DDR5 ECC memory, and PCIe Gen5 architecture to deliver extreme performance for the most demanding workloads.

Strengths include its immense processing capabilities with up to 64 CPU cores (Z8 G5) or 60 cores (Z8 Fury G5), massive memory support up to 2 TB, and extensive storage options reaching 136 TB with hot-swappable NVMe bays. The Z8 Fury G5's ability to house up to four high-end GPUs makes it an exceptional platform for AI, deep learning, and GPU-accelerated rendering. Both models feature robust, multi-layered security through HP Wolf Security for Business, ensuring data integrity and system resilience. The workstations are designed for quiet operation under load and offer significant expandability with tool-less access, simplifying upgrades and maintenance. ISV certifications guarantee optimized performance with critical professional applications.

Weaknesses are primarily its high acquisition cost, which is typical for this class of high-performance hardware, and its substantial physical size. While powerful, some legacy software may not fully utilize the extensive core counts, potentially limiting efficiency in specific niche applications.

Recommendations for the HP Z8 G5 Series Workstation are for professionals and enterprises engaged in high-end 3D rendering, complex scientific simulations, advanced data analytics, AI and machine learning development, virtual production, and 8K video editing. Its robust security, exceptional performance, and expandability make it an ideal investment for mission-critical workflows where computational power and reliability are paramount.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.