HP Z2 Z2 G1i

The HP Z2 G1i marries a fast 14-core CPU with best-in-class connectivity and workstation reliability. Its RTX A400 GPU holds it back for rendering-heavy work, and you should only buy at the lower end of its $2,263–$3,112 price range. Perfect for CPU-bound pros who need a ton of ports.

HP's Z2 G1i is a proper tower workstation, not some dressed-up gaming rig. It's built around Intel's new Core Ultra 5 245K, a 14-core chip that chews through multi-threaded CAD and simulation tasks like nothing. You get a generous 32GB of fast DDR5 (upgradable to 256GB) and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD right out of the box. But then there's the GPU, an RTX A400 with just 4GB of VRAM. That's a professional card, sure, but it's basically a GeForce GTX 1650 in a tie, which feels mismatched in a machine that starts north of $2,200.

Connectivity is where this thing goes absolutely nuts. Four Mini DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, nine USB-A ports, two USB-C, and Gigabit Ethernet. That port selection is among the best we've ever measured, landing in the 94th percentile across our entire workstation database. At 8.6 kg, this isn't a small or light machine, so clear some desk space.

The Core Ultra 5 245K is a beast for professional apps, landing in the 84th percentile for CPU. It handles large assemblies in SolidWorks and multi-threaded renders with ease, and the 32GB of fast RAM keeps things smooth. The bottleneck is the GPU. The RTX A400 is fine for basic viewport navigation and light CAD, but it falls behind when you push into GPU-accelerated rendering or machine learning. Our benchmarking shows it sits right in the middle of the pack (59th percentile), which is disappointing for a workstation at this price. You'll definitely want to plan on upgrading the graphics card if your workflow is GPU-bound.

The Z2 G1i sits in a weird spot. At the low end of its $2,263 to $3,112 spread, it's a solid buy for an ISV-certified machine with a strong CPU and big upgrade potential. But the moment you drift toward $3,000, you're entering territory where you could get a system with a much better GPU (like an RTX 4070) from Lenovo or Corsair, sacrificing only the professional certifications. If you need the stability and support HP provides, hunt for a deal near the lower end; paying full price feels like leaving money on the table.

Stack this against gaming-focused towers like the ASUS ROG GM700TZ or Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, and the HP trades blows. Those machines come with powerful GeForce GPUs that crush the A400 in rendering, but they lack the ISV stamps and often skimp on ports. The Corsair ONE i600 is more compact and powerful but far less expandable. Dell's XPS EBT2250 aims at a similar pro audience with a sleeker design but typically fewer ports. The HP's real advantage is its enterprise DNA: easy internal access, support for ECC memory, and a focus on stability over benchmark flash.

Skip this if you're a 3D animator, AI researcher, or anyone who leans heavily on GPU performance. The RTX A400 will feel like driving with the parking brake on, and at this price, you can get a system with a much stronger graphics card. Compact workspace? The Z2 G1i is a chunky 8.6 kg tower that won't fit on a small desk.

This is a purpose-built machine for engineers, architects, and CAD specialists who need a rock-solid tower with fantastic connectivity. If your day-to-day involves CPU-heavy modeling, simulation, or running certified apps that demand stability, the Z2 G1i won't let you down. But don't buy this expecting to do serious GPU rendering or AI training without planning a graphics card upgrade first.