Scan GWP-CAD A124R Micro workstation Review

FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M 3D Printer with Fully Auto Leveling, Max 600mm/s High Speed Printing, 280°C Direct Extruder with 3S Detachable Nozzle, Core XY All Metal Structure, Print Size 220x220x220mm

$378.99 (as of January 7, 2025 04:30 GMT +00:00 - )

Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Workstation Experience?

As a CAD user, you’re likely no stranger to the importance of having a reliable and efficient workstation. With the constant demands of your workflow, you need a machine that can keep up with your creative vision. That’s where the Scan GWP-CAD A124R Micro workstation comes in – a compact powerhouse designed specifically with CAD users in mind.

Anycubic Coupon – $5 off $50+ sitewide with code DIY5OFF

Table of Contents

A New Era in Compact Workstations

In recent years, the trend towards smaller offices and home working has led to a growing demand for compact workstations. Scan, a renowned provider of quality desktop workstations, has responded to this demand with the release of its first small form factor (SFF) micro-ATX workstation. This 8-litre machine is a significant departure from Scan’s traditional spacious towers, and it’s designed to provide CAD users with a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

The Challenges of Cooling

One of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers of compact workstations is cooling. With processors drawing more power than ever before, it’s essential to find a balance between performance and energy efficiency. Scan has addressed this challenge by configuring the GWP-CAD A124R with a 65W AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 7945 processor. This processor draws significantly less power than its Intel equivalent, making it an ideal choice for a compact workstation.

Processor	Power Consumption
AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 7945	65W
Intel Core i7	253W

A Closer Look at the Processor

The AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 7945 processor is a 12-core, 24-thread beast that delivers impressive performance and power efficiency. With a max boost clock of 5.4 GHz, this processor is more than capable of handling demanding CAD workflows. Additionally, the Ryzen Pro series offers enhanced security and manageability features, making it an attractive option for businesses and professionals.

Graphics Performance

The GWP-CAD A124R comes equipped with the Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada pro GPU, a powerful low-profile graphics card designed specifically for compact workstations. With 16 GB of memory, this GPU is well-suited for entry-level visualisation and CAD-centric workflows. While it may not deliver the same level of performance as a high-end pro GPU, it’s an excellent option for those who need a reliable and efficient graphics solution.

Memory and Storage

The GWP-CAD A124R comes with 32 GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 5,200MHz RAM, which should be more than sufficient for most CAD users. However, for more demanding workflows, it’s recommended to upgrade to 64 GB. In terms of storage, the machine features a 1TB Solidigm P41 Plus NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, which offers impressive read and write speeds.

RAM	Storage
32 GB (2 x 16 GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR5 5,200MHz	1TB Solidigm P41 Plus NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD

Anycubic Coupon – $5 off $50+ sitewide with code DIY5OFF

Performance and Power Efficiency

So, how does the GWP-CAD A124R perform in real-world scenarios? In our testing, the machine delivered impressive results in CAD and visualisation workflows. The AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 7945 processor handled demanding tasks with ease, and the Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada GPU provided smooth and efficient graphics performance.

CAD Performance

In our Solidworks testing, the GWP-CAD A124R delivered good performance, hitting 5.2 GHz in many single-threaded workflows. While it may not be as fast as an Intel Core i9-14900K, it’s an excellent option for those who need a compact and efficient workstation.

CAD Software	Performance
Solidworks	Good performance, 5.2 GHz in single-threaded workflows

Power Efficiency

One of the standout features of the GWP-CAD A124R is its power efficiency. With a maximum total power draw of 220W, this machine is perfect for those who need a reliable and efficient workstation. In our testing, the machine maintained an all-core CPU frequency of 4.6 GHz for over an hour, even in the most demanding workflows.

Conclusion

The Scan GWP-CAD A124R Micro workstation is an excellent option for CAD users who need a compact and efficient machine. With its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 7945 processor, Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada GPU, and impressive storage and memory options, this machine is more than capable of handling demanding workflows. Additionally, its power efficiency and compact design make it an attractive option for those who need a reliable and efficient workstation.