HP Z8 G 474 G2

Basic Information

• Model: HP Z8 G4 Workstation
• Version: G4 (Fourth Generation)
• Release Date: Announced September 2017.
• Minimum Requirements: Typically starts with a single Intel Xeon Scalable processor, 8 GB DDR4 ECC RAM, and 1 TB HDD.
• Supported Operative Systems: Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (64-bit), Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, HP Linux-ready, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (various versions), SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (various versions), and Ubuntu LTS (16.04, 18.04, 20.04).
• Latest Stable Version: N/A for hardware, refers to the G4 generation.
• End of Support Date: HP typically provides support for up to 10 years after a product's retirement. Specific end-of-support dates are often not publicly disclosed by HP, but third-party maintenance options can extend beyond official support.
• End of Life Date: Similar to end of support, generally follows a 10-year cycle from product retirement.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: N/A for hardware; operating system updates are managed by the respective OS vendor.
• License Type: Hardware itself does not carry a license. Operating system licenses are typically Windows Pro for Workstations or various Linux distribution licenses.
• Deployment Model: Tower workstation, designed for local deployment, with options for rack-mounting.

Technical Specifications

• Processor: Supports single or dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors (1st and 2nd Generation), offering up to 28 cores per processor, totaling up to 56 physical cores and 112 threads with dual CPUs. Options include Intel Xeon Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum series.
• RAM: Features 24 DIMM slots, supporting up to 3 TB of DDR4 ECC SDRAM at speeds of 2666MHz or 2933MHz, depending on the processor configuration.
• Storage: Offers extensive storage capabilities, supporting up to 48 TB total. This includes SATA (3.5-inch and 2.5-inch HDDs/SSDs) and NVMe M.2 SSDs (up to 4 via PCIe slots or HP Z Turbo Drive). The chassis provides four internal 3.5-inch drive bays and two external 5.25-inch bays.
• Display: Compatible with a wide range of professional graphics cards from NVIDIA Quadro and AMD Radeon Pro, including high-performance NVIDIA Quadro RTX series. The system can support up to four high-end GPUs.
• Ports:
  • Front: 1 headset connector, 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (one charging), with optional configurations including 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C ports and a media card reader.
  • Rear: 6 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 RJ-45 (1 GbE), 1 audio-in, 1 audio-out, 1 PS/2 mouse port, 1 PS/2 keyboard port, and 1 serial port. Optional configurations include 2 10 GbE LAN ports.
• Operating System: Ships with pre-installed Windows 10 Pro for Workstations or Windows 11 Pro for Workstations.
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 8.5 x 21.7 x 17.5 inches (21.59 x 55.12 x 44.45 cm).
• Weight: Starting at 49.4 lbs (22.4 kg), with maximum configurations reaching up to 70 lbs (31.7 kg).

Analysis of Technical Specifications

The HP Z8 G4 Workstation is engineered for extreme performance and expandability, making it a top-tier solution for demanding professional applications. Its dual-processor architecture, supporting Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs with up to 56 cores, combined with a massive 3 TB DDR4 ECC RAM capacity, provides unparalleled computational power for complex simulations, data analysis, and 3D rendering. The extensive storage options, including high-speed NVMe SSDs and traditional HDDs, allow for handling vast datasets. The inclusion of multiple PCIe Gen3 slots and support for up to four professional-grade GPUs ensures robust graphics and acceleration capabilities. The tool-less chassis design facilitates easy maintenance and upgrades, while an innovative cooling system maintains quiet operation despite its high-performance components. These specifications position the Z8 G4 as a leading workstation for professionals requiring maximum power and flexibility.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Refers to the G4 generation; BIOS and firmware updates are regularly released by HP.
• OS Support: Comprehensive support for Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, and various enterprise-grade Linux distributions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, and Ubuntu LTS versions.
• End of Support Date: HP generally provides support for its products for approximately 10 years after their retirement. Specific end-of-support dates for the Z8 G4 are not always publicly detailed by the manufacturer, but third-party support and maintenance can extend the operational lifespan.
• Localization: Available globally, with operating system options supporting multiple languages.
• Available Drivers: All necessary drivers and software updates are accessible through HP's official support website.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

The HP Z8 G4 Workstation offers robust enterprise-level support and broad compatibility, crucial for professional environments. Its extensive operating system support ensures integration into diverse IT infrastructures. The workstation holds Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certifications from major developers like Adobe, Autodesk, Avid, Dassault Systèmes, and Siemens, guaranteeing optimized performance and reliability with industry-standard applications. HP's commitment to providing drivers and firmware updates, along with a typical 10-year support lifecycle, ensures long-term viability and stability for critical business operations. While official manufacturer support eventually transitions, the widespread adoption and robust design of the Z8 G4 mean that resources and third-party support remain available for extended periods.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes HP Sure Start Gen3 (a self-healing BIOS with intrusion detection), HP Sure Run, HP Sure Recover, TPM 2.0 certification, secure authentication, Kensington lock slot, full volume encryption capabilities, and the HP Keyed Cable Lock Kit. It also integrates HP Client Security Suite Gen3.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Addressed through continuous BIOS, firmware, and operating system updates provided by HP and OS vendors.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for this type of hardware asset.
• Certifications: TPM 2.0 certified.
• Encryption Support: Supports full volume encryption, such as BitLocker in Windows environments.
• Authentication Methods: Features secure authentication, password protection, and optional smart card readers.
• General Recommendations: Maintain up-to-date BIOS and firmware, implement strong authentication policies, utilize full disk encryption, and enforce physical security measures.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

The HP Z8 G4 Workstation provides an excellent overall security posture, designed to meet the stringent demands of enterprise environments. Its foundational security features, such as the self-healing HP Sure Start Gen3 BIOS and TPM 2.0, offer robust protection against firmware attacks and unauthorized access. The comprehensive suite of HP security software, combined with support for advanced encryption and authentication methods, safeguards data and user identities. Regular updates and certifications further enhance its resilience against evolving threats. This makes the Z8 G4 one of the most secure workstations available, suitable for handling sensitive data and critical operations.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Achieves top-tier results in industry-standard benchmarks like Viewperf 13, Cinebench, and Octane, especially when configured with high-end GPUs and dual Intel Xeon processors. Geekbench scores demonstrate competitive multi-core performance compared to similar high-end workstations such as the Dell Precision 7920.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Delivers exceptional performance in demanding professional applications, including 3D simulations, real-time 8K video editing, complex scientific computations, large-scale data analysis, machine learning, and AI development. Performance can vary with specific software, as some applications may not fully leverage the extensive core count of dual Xeon configurations.
• Power Consumption: Equipped with highly efficient power supplies (1125W, 1450W, or 1700W, all 90% efficient). Idle power consumption ranges from 78.8W (long idle) to 83.3W (short idle), with sleep mode consuming 9.3W.
• Carbon Footprint: Available in ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT Gold registered configurations, indicating a focus on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Directly competes with other leading high-performance workstations like the Dell Precision 7920 and Lenovo ThinkStation P920, often matching or exceeding their capabilities in terms of raw processing power, memory capacity, and expandability.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

The HP Z8 G4 Workstation stands as a performance leader, particularly for highly parallelized and data-intensive workloads. Its architecture, supporting dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors and multiple professional GPUs, provides immense computational and graphical power. This makes it ideal for professionals in fields such as engineering, media, and scientific research. While its power consumption is substantial under heavy load, this is commensurate with its high-performance capabilities. The workstation's strong benchmark results and real-world application performance solidify its position as a top-tier asset for the most demanding tasks.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback consistently highlights the HP Z8 G4 Workstation's exceptional performance and expandability as its primary strengths. Professionals praise its ability to handle extremely demanding tasks such as 8K video editing, complex 3D rendering, and large-scale data simulations with ease. The robust build quality and tool-less chassis design are frequently mentioned for facilitating easy upgrades and maintenance, contributing to its overall reliability. The innovative cooling system is also noted for maintaining quiet operation, even under heavy workloads.

Common weaknesses cited include its high acquisition cost and considerable physical size and weight, which can be a factor for space-constrained environments. Some users have reported that certain software applications, particularly older or less optimized ones (e.g., specific Adobe After Effects workflows), may not fully leverage the massive core count of dual Xeon configurations, leading to perceived underperformance in those specific scenarios.

Recommended use cases for the Z8 G4 span a wide array of professional fields, including engineering, architecture, media and entertainment (VFX, animation), scientific research, advanced data analysis, machine learning, and AI development. It is considered an ideal solution for users who require uncompromising power and extensive customization options.

Summary

The HP Z8 G4 Workstation is a formidable enterprise asset, designed to deliver extreme performance and expandability for the most demanding professional workloads. Its core strength lies in its dual Intel Xeon Scalable processor architecture, supporting up to 56 cores, complemented by an impressive 3 TB of DDR4 ECC RAM across 24 DIMM slots. This configuration provides unparalleled computational power for tasks such as 3D rendering, complex simulations, 8K video editing, and advanced AI/ML development. The workstation offers extensive storage flexibility, accommodating up to 48 TB through a combination of high-speed NVMe SSDs and traditional SATA drives, alongside support for multiple professional-grade GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD.

Strengths include its robust, tool-less chassis design that simplifies maintenance and upgrades, efficient cooling for quiet operation, and comprehensive enterprise-grade security features like HP Sure Start Gen3 and TPM 2.0. It boasts broad operating system compatibility, including Windows and various Linux distributions, and holds critical ISV certifications, ensuring optimized performance with industry-standard software.

Potential weaknesses are its high initial cost and substantial physical footprint. While exceptionally powerful, some specialized software may not fully exploit its maximum core count, leading to varied performance depending on application optimization.

Overall, the HP Z8 G4 Workstation is an excellent investment for organizations and professionals requiring a high-performance, reliable, and secure platform for mission-critical applications. Its expandability ensures a long operational lifespan and adaptability to future demands. It is highly recommended for fields that require intensive computational and graphical capabilities.

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.