Workstation PCs Lauren Cugliotta Elizabethtown College [email protected] Abstract― This paper is to describe, in thorough detail, Engineers what a workstation PC is. Details will include specifications in Researchers design, price, and how they operate. This paper will also Architects highlight comparisons to other PCs. And others, such as animators [2][3]. Keywords for understanding – RAM – Random Access Memory. The working memory IV. BASICS OF WORKSTATION COMPONENTS of the workstation [20]. Workstations tend to contain the following components [1]: CPU – Central Processing Unit. The component that is responsible for interpreting and executing most of the 1) ECC RAM – Error Correcting Code Memory [5]. commands from the hardware and software for the machine a. How it works: ECC is a method of detecting [21]. and correcting single-bit memory errors. GPU – Graphics Processing Unit. The GPU is largely Computers process data through “bits”. With responsible for rendering the graphics that will be displayed ECC memory, there is an extra bit, which is on the monitor [22]. called a parity bit. This bit is used to detect DIMM – Dual In-Line Memory Module. “Module that memory errors. However, they have their contains one or several random access memory (RAM) chips limitations. They cannot detect even number on a small circuit board with pins that connect it to the errors, only odd. They also do not correct the computer motherboard” [23]. errors, the ECC memory does. ECC memory DDR4 RAM - double data rate fourth generation uses these parity bits to store an encrypted synchronous dynamic random-access memory. RAM with code when writing the data to memory, and increased speed and lower voltage than other generations of the ECC code is stored at the same time. RAM [25]. When the data is read, the stored code is then compared to the code that was originally I. INTRODUCTION generated when the data was read. If the code that was read doesn't match the stored code, it When people think about PCs, they tend to think about is then decrypted by the parity bits to find out typical everyday computers. Others may think about specific which bit was in error, then it is corrected [4]. types of computers, such as gaming PCs. However, people b. It is vital for protecting workstations from don’t often think about the computers built for tasks for those crashes and downtime [5]. who work. Specifically, those who work for technical reasons. These types of computers are known as workstations. 2) Multiple Core Processors [5]. a. A typical business desktop PC will have an I5 II. WHAT IS A WORKSTATION? processor (If using Intel products). Depending on the processor, it will have 4 to 6 cores A workstation PC is a subset of the desktop PC family [1]. [2][6]. They are not to be considered PCs to be used at home, but b. A top of the line workstation needs to have rather PCs that you would find at a business that works with more than that, however. Engineers, technical design. Workstations are built for high performance designers, architects, etc. Need to be able to and heavy workloads. In other words, for performance you run multiple applications simultaneously would not get out of a typical desktop PC [2]. without a drop in performance. For that reason, processors in workstations will have as many as 18 cores (or 36 after III. WHO ARE THEY FOR? hyperthreading - a process that essentially A workstation is made for those who are looking to use doubles the number of CPU cores through the computers for CPU and GPU intensive tasks. This includes: creation of virtual cores) [2][7]. Designers i. For workstations that need a lot of space, 3) RAID - Redundant Array of Independent Disks [5]. however: a. RAID is the way of combining several i. Users may consider getting a independent disks into storage of a large size. workstation with a dual SSD and The purpose of doing so is to increase the HDD storage system [10]. fault tolerance and performance of the ii. A dual system works best with the workstation. Should a drive fail, the data will operating system and major still be useable due to being back up on a programs loaded on the SSD, and different drive. other minor programs and residuals b. Example: RAID 0. will go onto the HDD [10]. i. It is used to boost performance. It's also known as "disk striping." Data 6) Redundant PSU – Redundant Power Supply [1]. is written across multiple disks. a. Workstations are meant to run for long because multiple drives are reading periods of time, processing long after people and writing data, performance and are done using them. disk I/O improve. A minimum of b. Workstations need to compensate just in case two disks is required [24]. something happens to the main power source. c. Workstations use multiple power supplies in 4) Optimized GPU [5]. case of an emergency should the main power a. Because workstations are optimised for those supply fail. using technical applications, workstations d. Only one power supply is active at a time, but need to be able to process the smallest of should one fail, there is an immediate and details. Whether designing a jumbo jet or a smooth switch of power, as to not interrupt microchip, they need to be able to be the current operations [12]. measured with little to no error. If these measurements were to be messed up, anything V. SPECIFICATIONS from recalls to catastrophic failure could happen. Workstation graphics cards need to Here are some specifications about different components in be able to allow the user to manipulate workstations: complex geometry that could be built up over a billion triangles. [9]. 1) Motherboard [1]. 1) The motherboards of workstations tend to 5) SSD – Solid State Drive [5]. have room for: a. There are reasons why workstation users Multiple processors would use an SSD over a hard drive. 12 or more memory slots b. The access speeds of SSDs are faster than Multiple graphics card ports those of a HDD – Hard Drive. Speeds of Dual LAN ports nearly 100 times faster. c. SSDs use flash memory to store data, 2) RAM. therefore using no moving parts. HDDs have 1) Smaller amounts of RAM across multiple moving parts, and therefore wear down faster slots. than their SSD counterparts. 2) Upwards of a total of 32 GB, but averages d. SSDs use less power to operate than HDDs, between 8 to 32 GB [13]. which means a lower cost over time and for workstation laptops, longer battery life. 3) Cooling. e. SSDs, since they have no moving parts, 1) Many workstations opt to have water cooling, generate no noise. although cooling systems are optimized for f. SSDs tend to be smaller in size compared to the specific workstations [14]. HDDs, leaving more room in the computer For example, the HP Z has water for other components. cooling [14]. g. Heat is also not necessarily a problem for SSDs, since they do not have moving parts. 4) GPUS. h. Magnetism is also not a problem for SSDs, as 1) Geared towards stability rather than they are not affected by it. HDDs however, performance. may have memory loss when exposed to a 2) Increased precision in decimal calculations. magnet. 3) Frame lock, allowing several monitors to 6) Thunderbolt EX3 synchronize. 7) Intel® VROC – Virtual 4) Optimized to run at 100% power for days on RAID on CPU end [15]. 8) Intel® Optane™ Memory compatibility [17] 5) Sound cards. 1) Necessary for workstations that will be 2) GPUs working with digital audio [16]. NVIDIA Quadro 1) 32 GB memory 6) Power supply. 2) Designed to meet demands 1) Redundant PSUs to prevent errors in the of visualization workflows middle of processing [12]. [18] Radeon™ Pro SSG 7) Keyboards. 1) 16 GB memory 1) Like a typical PC, keyboards are expected to 2) 2 TB SSG – Solid State be ergonomic. Graphics [19] 8) Mice. 3) RAM 1) Mice are expected to be ergonomic. Kingston RAM 1) 16 GB 9) Display. 2) ECC, Parity 1) Display should be expected to be in high 3) Made for endurance during detail, as workstations are meant to be used to peak use of the PC [13] design. G-Skill Sniper 1) 8 GB 2) ECC VI. WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED PARTS FOR A GOOD WORKSTATION? 3) Made for compatibility [13] Corsair Dominator 1) Processor. 1) 8 GB 1) Intel Xeon series 2) ECC Have a maximum of 18 cores 3) Made for a speciality in 1) 36 if hyperthreaded visual manipulations [13] Only Xeon processors support ECC RAM. 4) Operating System [1]. Expected to be able to run for long For a workstation, they need to have periods of time. components that will work for Extra cache compared to other businesses. Therefore, the operating processors [2][7]. systems of choice are Windows 7 Professional or Windows 10 2) Motherboard. Professional. These operating 1) ASUS - WS C621E SAGE systems have components that would Designed to be compatible with Intel not be as much use for home users. Xeon W-Series processors. 5) Cost Has two sockets, for dual core Lower end workstations cost about compatibility. $1500, while higher end are around Up to 4 graphics cards $3000. 2-Way Overclocking Supports storage such as a RAID 0 Array VII. IS A WORKSTATION JUST ANOTHER NAME FOR A GAMING PC? Also has support for: 1) quad U.2 A workstation and gaming PC may look the same on the 2) M.2 surface, but the two are very different on the inside.