Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1574
10 May 2009 Available now from Boxx Technologies is the 3DBoxx 8500, a new Intel Xeon 5500 (Nehalem ) processor-based work- station that surpasses the performance of previous Boxx desktop systems for all professional software applications. A one-size-fi ts-all machine with a turbo mode that can even accelerate single- threaded or poorly-threaded legacy appli- cations that can't take advantage of the multiple cores, the 8500 is capable of reaching 3.46 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost Technology. The workstation provides digital artists with 16 virtual cores of high-powered, multitasking performance for 3D design, animation, rendering, and visualization applications, as well as VFX compositing, video editing, and DI workfl ows. Designed to accommodate multithreading, multiple applications, and complex production pipelines, the 8500 features six Intel Xeon processor 5500 Series options, up to 192 GB advanced DDR3 ECC memory, 12TB of storage, and up to six hard drives. By capitalizing on new features in the Intel Xeon processor 5500 Series, including the Intel QuickPath Intercon- nect, Intel Turbo Boost Technology, and direct memory access provided by an integrated memory controller and DDR3 system memory, the 3DBoxx 8500 is able to deliver a signifi cant increase in performance. Available options include Windows XP, Vista 64, Linux, or Red Hat operating systems, and Nvidia Quadro FX or ATI FirePro graphics cards. Pricing starts at approximately $3500. Boxx Delivers 3DBoxx 8500 Workstation PRODUCT: WORKSTATIONS At a recent media event, HP unveiled its Z workstation series, a reinvention of the product category from the core outward, bundled in a sleek new design that is aesthetically appealing and powerful. The HP Z800, Z600, and Z400 workstations tout more than 20 design innovations, including a self-checking power supply, and take advantage of the new Intel Xeon 5500 Series proces- sor with integrated memory controllers and Intel Turbo Boost Technology. The interior of the Z line is 100 percent modular; its components slide into place in a cableless environment for easy serviceability that can be done with your fi ngers. HP's most powerful and expandable workstation, the quad- core Z800 taps the new Intel QuickPath Technology for high-end I/O performance. It also comes with a liquid-cooling option. Although more compact, the Z600 can accommodate up to eight displays and features the same modular design and serviceability as the Z800. The Z400, meanwhile, is the series' entry-level model and is a single-socket workstation based on the next-generation Intel Nehalem, although it can be built with the latest Xeon processors. It, too, has a liquid-cooling option. Environmentally friendly, the Z workstations include 85 percent effi cient power supplies and, like other HP worksta- tions, are 90 percent recyclable by weight. The new HP Z workstations are shipping, starting at $1999 for the Z800, $1670 for the Z600, and $969 for the Z400. In other news, HP debuted the HP SkyRoom, a profession- al-quality visual collaboration and conferencing solution that preserves personal human interaction. The SkyRoom, a small- er version of the Halo telepresence solution, is built using the company's video and imaging engines. The SkyRoom, now in beta test, delivers real-time visual communication responsive- ness that is said to be four times faster than the blink of an eye. HP Rolls Out the Z Series PRODUCT: WORKSTATIONS