What makes 3XS Graphics Workstations special?

Our in-house team of experts, 3XS Systems, has been building workstations for more than 20 years. We know which components are the fastest and most reliable, and how to fine-tune and combine them for the best application performance. Here's what you need to know.

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NVIDIA Certified

Scan is an NVIDIA Elite Partner, awarded for our GPU-accelerated systems expertise.

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Trusted by You

3XS workstations are rated 4.8 on Trustpilot with hundreds of reviews every year

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3 Years Warranty

3XS Systems include a three-year warranty offering complete peace of mind.

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Award Winning

Our workstations have received numerous awards.

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7 Days Support

Our experienced technical support engineers are available seven days a week.

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Chosen by professionals

Our graphics workstations are used by a host of leading organisations.

Workstation Applications

Before examining each of the hardware, software, networking and infrastructure options in detail, it’s important to think about the types of applications your workstation(s) will run. This is critical, as applications have widely different configuration requirements. Below you’ll find specific configurations for popular applications.

AEC & BIM Applications

ANSYS ArchiCAD AutoCAD Bentley MicroStation Revit Rhino SketchUp

CAD & CAE Applicationss

ANSYS AutoCAD CATIA Creo Inventor Siemans NX Rhino SketchUp SolidWorks

Media & Entertainment Applications

3ds Max Maya Blender Cinema 4D Houdini Photoshop Unreal Engine

Rendering Applications

Arnold Blender KeyShot Redshift Unreal Engine V-Ray VRED

Alternatively, carry on reading this guide for high-level guidance on workstations that will be used for a mixture of applications, or if you’re not sure what applications you’ll be running.

GPU Accelerators

NVIDIA RTX AI

The graphics card or GPU is the most important component in a graphics workstation as it is the main driver for rapid ray-tracing and rendering of complex workloads. We recommend NVIDIA professional-grade workstation GPUs as they deliver maximum performance and are supported by certified drivers for a wide range of applications. NVIDIA RTX PRO GPUs feature a whole host of extra features and capabilities that their consumer counterparts lack.

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Certified Drivers

ISVs such as Autodesk, Dassault and Siemens certify their applications, ensuring optimal stability backed by enterprise-class customer support.

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Enterprise Class

Enterprise-class components ensure better reliability and resiliency, reducing failure rates especially when used at full load for longer periods of time.

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ECC Memory

Error correcting code (ECC) memory acts to protect data from corruption, so any errors are eradicated prior to them affecting the workload being processed.

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Extended Memory

Larger onboard frame buffers than consumer GPUs enable larger and more complex renders and compute simulations to be processed.

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Security

USB-C ports can be disabled, increasing data integrity when installed in secure environments or when used with sensitive information.

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Extended Warranty

The standard warranty provides cover for 3 years in professional environments and can be extended to total of 5 years upon request.

The below table summarises the best GPUs for each type of workload.

Feature RTX PRO 6000
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 6000
Blackwell MAX-Q		 RTX PRO 5000
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 4500
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 4000
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 4000
Blackwell SFF		 RTX PRO 2000
Blackwell		 RTX A1000 RTX A400
AEC / BIM ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
CAD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CAE / CFD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖
Media & Entertainment ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
Rendering ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖
VR ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
ML / DL / AI ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
CUDA Cores 24,064 24,064 14,080 10,496 8,960 8,960 4,352 2,304 768
Tensor Cores 752 (5th Gen) 752 (5th Gen) 440 (5th Gen) 328 (5th Gen) 280 (5th Gen) 280 (5th Gen) 136 (5th Gen) 72 (3rd Gen) 24 (3rd Gen)
RT Cores 188 (4th Gen) 188 (4th Gen) 110 (4th Gen) 82 (4th Gen) 70 (4th Gen) 70 (4th Gen) 34 (4th Gen) 18 (2nd Gen) 6 (2nd Gen)
Memory 96GB GDDR7 96GB GDDR7 72 or 48GB GDDR7 32GB GDDR7 24GB GDDR7 24GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 8GB GDDR6 4GB GDDR6

✔ = Recommended  |  ✖ = Not recommended

3XS graphics workstations can be configured with up to six GPUs. For further information on the full range of NVIDIA GPUs and their specifications, please read our NVIDIA Workstation GPU Guide.

We also sell RTX Studio PCs for content creation workflows with NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs.

Host Processor

The processor or CPU is the second most important component in a graphics workstation as it plays a key role alongside the graphics card in determining overall system performance in content creation applications. Most graphics workstations are equipped with either AMD Ryzen or Intel Core Ultra processors, and for the ultimate in performance we also offer Ryzen Threadripper and Intel Xeon-W configurations.

AMD Ryzen Intel Core Ultra AMD Threadripper PRO Intel Xeon

The tabs below give more detail on the two main brands of processor, Intel and AMD, and the different models each brand makes.

Intel CPUs

We recommend Intel Xeon-W and Core Ultra CPUs in our workstations, each suitable for a variety of different workloads, as shown in the table below.

Feature Xeon-W 3500 Xeon-W 2500 Core Ultra 9 Core Ultra 7 Core Ultra 5
Price
HIGHER LOWER
AEC / BIM ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖
CAD ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔
CAE / CFD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
Media & Entertainment ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖
Rendering ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
VR ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖
ML / DL / AI ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
P-Cores / Threads Up to 60 / 120 Up to 26 / 52 8 / 8 8 / 8 6 / 6
E-Cores / Threads ✖ ✖ 16 / 16 16 / 16 12 / 12

✔ = Recommended  |  ✖ = Not recommended for primary use case

For more information on CPU specifications read our Intel Desktop CPU Buyers Guide.

AMD CPUs

We recommend AMD Threadripper and Ryzen CPUs in our workstations, each suitable for a variety of different workloads, as shown in the table below.

Feature Threadripper PRO Threadripper Ryzen 9 Ryzen 7 Ryzen 5
Price
HIGHER LOWER
AEC / BIM ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖
CAD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CAE / CFD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
Media & Entertainment ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖
Rendering ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
VR ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖
ML / DL / AI ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖
Cores / Threads Up to 96 / 192 Up to 64 / 128 16 / 32 8 / 16 6 / 12

✔ = Recommended  |  ✖ = Not recommended for primary use case

For more information on CPU specifications read our AMD Desktop CPU Buyers Guide.

Memory

While having sufficient memory on the graphics card is important, application performance will be crippled without adequate system memory or RAM. We use Corsair Vengeance system memory in our 3XS workstations, chosen for its high performance and reliability.

You should choose the quantity of system memory depending on your graphics card, as summarised in the table below. If you are working with particularly large models and datasets it may be advisable to buy a system with more memory.

Corsair Vengeance RAM
Spec RTX PRO 6000
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 6000
Blackwell MAX-Q		 RTX PRO 5000
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 4500
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 4000
Blackwell		 RTX PRO 4000
Blackwell SFF		 RTX PRO 2000
Blackwell		 RTX A1000 RTX A400
Min. System Memory 128GB 128GB 96GB 96GB 64GB 32GB 32GB 16GB 16GB

You can learn more about RAM by reading our Memory Buyers Guide.

Additional Features

3XS graphics workstations can be configured with a range of storage, power, connectivity and OS options.

NVMe SSD Storage

Storage

We use the latest high performance NVMe SSDs in our 3XS workstations, cutting loading times for projects. For guidance on additional extra storage read our SSD Buyers Guide, HDD Buyers Guide, NAS Buyers Guide and External Storage Buyers Guide.

80 PLUS Gold Power Supply

Power Supply

Our graphics workstations are supplied as standard with high-quality 80PLUS Gold power supplies, ensuring a reliable and efficient power source for the system.

Connectivity

Connectivity

Our workstations are equipped with best-in-class connectivity, including ultra-fast USB-C ports, high-speed network ports and plenty of DisplayPort outputs for connecting multiple monitors.

Windows 11 Pro

Operating System

Our systems are preinstalled with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro. The Pro version supports larger memory configurations and offers many advanced security features.

Peripherals

Make the most of your 3XS graphics workstation with these essential peripherals.

Gaming Monitor

Monitor

The monitor plays a pivotal role in your experience, so it’s worth investing in the best specification that your budget allows.

Learn more by reading our Monitors Buyers Guide.

Gaming Keyboard

Keyboard

The keyboard has a massive impact on your experience.

Learn more by reading our Gaming Keyboard Buyers Guide.

Gaming Mouse

Mouse

Mice are available in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and weights with extra features such as adjustable DPI rate, poll rate and more.

Learn more by reading our Gaming Mouse Buyers Guide.

Racing and Flight Simulator

Graphics Controllers

Content creation applications may be easier to control with the use of dedicated graphics mice and tablets alongside the integrated keyboard and touchpad. These offer much greater control and flexibility with 3D and spatial workloads.

Learn more by reading our Graphics Controllers Buyers Guide.

Gaming Headset

Headset

A headset is essential for listening to music, films and online communication.

Learn more by reading our Gaming Headset Buyers Guide.

PC Speakers

Speakers

Whether you're gaming, listening to music or watching videos, PC speakers are a great addition to your setup. Dedicated PC speakers provide far superior sound quality than the tiny speakers integrated into monitors.

Browse our range of PC Speakers.

Gaming Chair

Chair

The designers of these chairs have thought about how users sit, how they move, and what they need most from their chair.

Learn more by reading our Gaming Chair Buyers Guide.

Gaming Desk

Desk

Desks are purpose designed for workstations, having useful features such as flexible monitor arms, so you can position your screen(s) at the perfect height and angle.

Learn more by reading our Gaming Desk Buyers Guide.

Ready to Buy?

Click the links below to view the range of 3XS Systems graphics workstations.

Pre-configured workstations Configure an workstation
Gaming desktop PCs

Need Help Choosing?

If you have any further questions about graphics workstations, don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly advisors.

01204 474747 [email protected]

01204 474747

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

A graphics workstation is a high performance desktop computer optimised for demanding professional graphics workloads such as AEC & BIM, CAD & CAE, modelling, animation and rendering.

This is largely down to semantics, although typically a workstation is a computer optimised for graphically-demanding applications, whereas a PC is a more general purpose computer.

Professional graphics applications and gaming are graphically-demanding, so both types of system have a lot in common. However, producing graphics is more hardware intensive than consuming graphics. Therefore, graphics workstations are typically more powerful than gaming PCs.

In addition, graphics workstations are designed for commercial rather than casual use, so feature more reliable components and drivers.

We recommend looking at what mix of applications you're going to use as different software have varying hardware requirements. See the 'Workstation Applications' section of this page for detailed guidance for the most popular professional graphics applications.

Yes, alongside our extensive range of pre-configured graphics workstations, you can use our online configurator to customise every aspect of your workstation. For bespoke, one-off custom builds visit the 3XS Custom Shop.

We recommend a minimum of 16GB of RAM for a graphics workstation; but you should choose the quantity of RAM depending on your GPU and application(s), read the "System Memory" section of this guide for more information. information.

A mid-range graphics workstation with an NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 or higher graphics card, a processor with at least 8 cores and a minimum of 32GB of system memory will be good for video editing and graphics applications. However, we also produce dedicated video production workstations which may be more suitable.

Graphics workstations are much more powerful than typical office PCs, so can be used for work type applications.

A mid-range graphics workstation with an NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 or higher graphics card, a processor with at least 8 cores and a minimum of 32GB of system memory will be good for gaming and graphics applications.

A graphics workstation equipped with a suitable graphics card, processor and other components will start around £1,100, or as little as £30 per month if paying in instalments. Beware of workstations significantly cheaper than this, they are likely built using previous-generation or underpowered components that will struggle to render graphics at a smooth frame rate.

3XS graphics workstations are available to rent on a monthly basis in Scan Cloud. You never have to worry about system failures and returns. Hosting in the Scan Cloud covers all failures and in the event of a system failure, provide you with a backup system to restore your applications and files to. For further information look out for the CLOUD READY section on 3XS graphics workstation product pages.