Workstations Built for Design

When HP recently revealed its new entry-level HP Z240 Tower and HP Z240 SFF (small form factor) workstations, it described them as its latest update to its HP Z230 entry-level engineering workstation. Both workstations support next-generation Intel processors and Z Turbo Drive SSD (solid state drive) storage options and, according to HP, both systems are ideal for MCAD, AEC (architecture, engineering and construction), media, public sector and imaging applications.

New features in the HP Z240 series that set them apart from its predecessor include:

• An integrated M.2 slot for expansion cards and connectors.
• Optional dust filter for both the tower and SFF systems.
• The removal of the legacy PCI slot, although the company has designed a plug-in card for legacy slot users.
• A smaller, more efficient motherboard with simplified cable layouts.
• A re-engineered hard-drive cage for the HP Z240 SFF that provides more efficient airflow.
• Added ambient temperature sensors on the motherboard.

The HP Z240 Tower and the HP Z240 SFF will be offered with a choice of Intel processors including the Intel Core i7-6700 with Intel HD Graphics 530 (3.4GHz, up to 4GHz with Intel Turbo Boost, 8MB cache and four cores), the Intel Core i5-6600 with Intel HD Graphics 530 (3.3GHz, up to 3.9GHz with Intel Turbo Boost, 6MB cache and four cores) and the Intel Core i5-6500 with Intel HD Graphics 530 (3.2GHz, up to 3.6GHz with Intel Turbo Boost, 6MB cache and four cores). The company adds that the workstations will also support future releases of the Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v5 product families. The workstations run 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 10 or Linux operating systems.

The HP Z240 workstations can accommodate up to 64GB DDR4 ECC memory. The series supports 2D professional-level NVIDIA NVS graphics boards for driving multiple displays, 3D entry-level and mid-range NVIDIA Quadro cards as well as entry-level and mid-range 3D FirePro graphics from AMD. The HP Z240 Tower also supports the AMD FirePro W7100 (8GB) and NVIDIA Quadro M4000 (8GB) graphics accelerators for high-end 3D graphics.

Storage options include 500GB up to 4TB SATA, 128GB up to 1TB SATA SSDs and from 128GB up to 512GB HP Z Turbo Drive G2 SSD storage solutions. The HP Z240 also features a USB front fast charging port as well as eight additional USB 3.0 ports and three DisplayPort connections. The Z240 Tower has integrated front and rear handle ledges, making it easier to relocate. With its 3.95 x 13.3 x 15.1 in. (100 x 337 x 384 mm) dimensions, the HP Z240 SSF is 57% smaller than its Tower counterpart.

“In anticipation of a customer demand for smaller yet powerful workstations, HP created the world’s first small form factor workstation, the HP Z200 SFF,” said Jim Zafarana, vice president and general manager, Workstations and Thin Clients, HP, in a press statement. “The latest in that line, the HP Z240, not only continues to provide customers a compact, affordable solution packed with the power of a traditional workstation, but it ups the ante for entry-level workstations with increased performance and new innovations.”

HP says that its new HP Z240 Tower and HP Z240 SFF entry-level engineering workstations will be available in November. Estimated US pricing starts at $879 for either workstation, according to the company. For more information, visit HP.

Download the specifications for the HP Z240 Tower workstation.

Download the specifications for the HP Z240 SFF workstation.

See why DE's editors selected HP’s new HP Z240 Tower and HP Z240 SFF entry-level engineering workstations as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.