Workstations are desktop computers built for sustained professional work such as CAD, 3D rendering, video editing, data analysis and AI development. Our range of over 180 workstations comes mainly from Lenovo, HP and Dell, with a few systems from MSI and PNY, and most run Windows 11 Pro.
How to choose a workstation
Processor. Rendering, simulation and code compilation scale with core count, while CAD modelling depends more on speed per core. Most workstations in our range use Intel Core Ultra 7 or Core Ultra 9, with Core Ultra 5 and Core i5, i7 and i9 models also available.
Graphics card. Professional cards such as the NVIDIA RTX A400, RTX A1000, RTX 2000 Ada and T1000 are built for CAD and design software, which is often tested and certified with them. Some models in our range list no discrete card at all, which suits office-style or light technical work but not heavy 3D tasks.
Memory. Our workstations offer from 16 GB to 128 GB of RAM, and 32 GB is the most common configuration. That is a sensible starting point for CAD and photo or video editing, while large assemblies, simulations and complex 3D scenes call for 64 GB or 128 GB.
Storage. Most models use SSDs, with capacities from 512 GB to 4 TB, and 1 TB is the most frequent. Keep the system and active projects on the SSD, and plan network or external storage for archives and large media files.
Operating system. Most systems come with Windows 11 Pro, which suits mainstream engineering and creative software. A small number run Ubuntu Linux or NVIDIA DGX OS, which are aimed at AI and machine learning work, so check that your applications support the system before you buy.
Workstation brands we carry
- Lenovo: the largest part of our range, mostly from the ThinkStation line, which Lenovo designs specifically for professional CAD, engineering and media work.
- HP: known for the HP Z series, a long-running workstation family used in design, engineering and visual effects.
- Dell: makes the Precision line, a well-established workstation range with models certified for many professional applications.
Also in our range: MSI, PNY, Dell EMC and GIGABYTE.
Workstation FAQ
What is the difference between a workstation and a normal desktop PC?
A workstation is built and tested for long, demanding workloads, whereas a normal desktop is designed for everyday tasks. Workstations typically offer professional graphics cards, more memory capacity and hardware certified for professional software. This matters most for CAD, rendering and simulation.
How much RAM do I need in a workstation?
32 GB is enough for most CAD, photo editing and general engineering work. Choose 64 GB or more if you work with large 3D scenes, high-resolution video, simulations or big datasets. Our range includes models from 16 GB up to 128 GB.
Do I need a professional graphics card?
You need one if you run CAD, 3D modelling, rendering or AI workloads, because these programs make heavy use of the graphics card and are often validated on professional cards. For office applications, coding or light analysis, a workstation without a discrete card can be enough. Cards such as the NVIDIA RTX A1000 or RTX 2000 Ada are typical entry points for professional design work.
Should I choose Windows or Linux on a workstation?
Choose Windows 11 Pro if your software is built for Windows, which covers most CAD and creative programs. Linux suits developers and AI teams, and some systems in our range come with Ubuntu Linux or NVIDIA DGX OS. Always check your applications' system requirements first.
