Workstation Specialists WS IC-Z7900 Review

Are you in the market for a new workstation that can handle demanding CAD and BIM workflows?

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The 14th Gen Intel Core Processor: A Mixed Bag

The 14th Gen Intel Core processor has received a lot of criticism since its launch in Autumn 2023. While it’s still the fastest desktop processor for single-threaded CAD and BIM workflows, it’s not a significant leap from the 13th Gen Intel Core. In fact, many have argued that it’s not deserving of a new generation. However, for those who rely on tools like Revit, Inventor, and Solidworks, the 14th Gen Intel Core processor is still worth considering.

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A Closer Look at the Workstation Specialists WS IC-Z7900

The Workstation Specialists WS IC-Z7900 is a mid-sized tower workstation that features the new 14th Gen Intel Core processor. Built around the compact Asus Prime Z790-P WiFi ATX motherboard, this workstation has plenty of options for connectivity, including a 2.5 Gigabit Realtek RJ45 network port, Dual Band Intel WiFi 6 Network & Bluetooth 5.2, and multiple USB ports.

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A Neat and Tidy Build

The WS IC-Z7900 has a very neat and tidy build, with minimal visible wires. The Fractal Lumen AIO cooler keeps the Intel Core i9-14900KF processor running cool, even when rendering demanding workloads. The large interior of the workstation is taken up by the cooler, but it’s a small price to pay for the reduced noise levels and increased performance.

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Performance Benchmarks

So, how does the WS IC-Z7900 perform? In our tests, the Intel Core i9-14900KF processor shone in single-threaded CAD and BIM workflows, but struggled in multi-threaded rendering workloads. Compared to the Intel Core i9-13900K, the Intel Core i9-14900KF only edged out by around 2% to 4% in the majority of the SPECapc for Solidworks 2022 benchmark tests.

Benchmark Intel Core i9-14900KF Intel Core i9-13900K
SPECapc for Solidworks 2022 2-4% Baseline
Cinebench R23 4.70 GHz 4.77 GHz

However, compared to the Intel Core i9-12900K, the Intel Core i9-14900KF showed significant performance gains, with increases of 13% to 29% in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads.

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Graphics Choice

The WS IC-Z7900 comes with a massive choice of GPUs, from the Nvidia T400 GPU for true entry-level CAD to the Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation for demanding viz workflows. Our test machine came with the Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada Generation GPU, which is a great option for CAD-focused visualization.

Choosing the Right GPU

While the Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada Generation GPU is a great option for those who need a balance between performance and price, it’s overkill for 100% CAD and BIM workflows. If you’re looking to save a significant amount, you can consider downgrading to an Nvidia T1000, AMD Radeon Pro W7500, or similar.

GPU Price
Nvidia T1000 £300
AMD Radeon Pro W7500 £500
Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada Generation £1,500

workstation-specialists-ws-ic-z7900-review Workstation Specialists WS IC-Z7900 Review

Verdict

If you currently have a workstation with a 13th Gen Intel Core processor, this machine may not be for you. The performance gains with 14th Gen Intel Core in single-threaded workflows are marginal, and you may even take a drop in multi-threaded performance. However, if your workstation is older, and your priority is accelerating your CAD and BIM workflows, then this quality desktop machine is worth a look.

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Specifications

Component Specification
Processor Intel Core i9-14900KF (3.2 GHz, 6.0 GHz boost)
Memory 64GB (2x 32GB) 5,200MHz Dual Channel DDR5 memory
Storage 2TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Motherboard Asus PRIME Z790-P WiFi ATX
GPU Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada Generation GPU (20GB GDDR6 memory)
Case Antec P20CE case (469 x 220 x 490mm)
Operating System Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Warranty 36 Months Premium RTB hardware warranty with remote engineer diagnostics by next business day
Price £2,839 (Ex VAT)

Overall, the Workstation Specialists WS IC-Z7900 is a well-built, high-performance workstation that’s worth considering for those who need a fast and reliable machine for demanding CAD and BIM workflows.

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