HP Z2 BN5K1UT#ABA 2025, Core Ultra 9 285, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Black

The HP Z2 G1i Workstation packs a Core Ultra 9 285 CPU that ranks in the 94th percentile, making it one of the best workstation processors we've tracked. 32GB of DDR5 and a 700W PSU give you room to grow, but the integrated Intel Graphics are a serious limitation. At USD 2,391 it's a solid deal; at USD 3,489 it's a hard pass.

The Core Ultra 9 285 is the star of this show. With 24 cores and a 2.5GHz base clock, it's in the top tier of workstation CPUs we track. That 94th percentile ranking means it outpaces the vast majority of chips in our database. For CPU-heavy tasks like compiling code, rendering, or running AI inferencing locally, this thing will chew through work without breaking a sweat. The built-in NPU also takes some load off the CPU for AI productivity tasks, which is a nice touch for developers and data folks.

The rest of the specs are solid but not spectacular. 32GB of DDR5 puts it at the 82nd percentile for RAM, which is well above average and plenty for most professional workloads. The 1TB SSD lands at the 54th percentile, so it's middle of the pack. You'll want to add a second drive if you're dealing with large datasets or media files. The integrated Intel Graphics sit at the 60th percentile, which is fine for spreadsheets and code editors but a real bottleneck for any GPU-accelerated work. HP clearly expects you to drop in a discrete card later, and the 700W PSU gives you headroom to do exactly that.

Against the Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra, the HP Z2 G1i holds its own on CPU performance but loses badly on GPU. The Mac Studio's integrated graphics are far more capable than Intel Graphics, and Apple's unified memory architecture gives it an edge for creative workloads. The Lenovo Legion 90YA003GUS and MSI Aegis ZS2 A9NVP-1407US both ship with discrete GPUs, which makes them far better choices if you need any kind of graphics horsepower. The Dell Aurora ACT1250 and CLX SET TGMSETRTU5204BM are gaming-oriented machines that will absolutely embarrass the HP in any 3D workload. But none of those competitors match the HP's combination of a 94th percentile CPU, rack-mount capability, and tool-less expandability at this price point. If your work is CPU-bound and you plan to add your own GPU later, the HP is a compelling option. If you need graphics performance out of the box, look elsewhere.

Pricing on this unit is all over the place. US listings range from USD 2,391 to USD 3,489, a spread of USD 1,098 across just two listings. That's a huge gap for the same machine. If you're shopping in the US, the lower end of that range is where this workstation starts to make sense. At USD 2,391, you're getting a top-tier CPU and solid RAM for a reasonable workstation price. At USD 3,489, you're overpaying for what is essentially the same box. There's also a single Japanese listing at JPY 870,213, but that's a different market with different pricing dynamics. Shop around before you commit. The Newegg listing is the one to watch for the best deal.

The HP Z2 G1i Workstation lands with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285, a 24-core chip that sits at the 94th percentile for CPUs in our workstation database. That's the headline here. You're getting one of the best processors on the market right now, paired with 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD. It's built for work, not play, and the numbers back that up. Our scoring puts it at 81.7 for workstation use, 79.4 for home office, and a rough 19.6 for gaming. That gaming score isn't a typo. This machine has Intel Graphics, not a discrete GPU, so don't expect to run Cyberpunk on it.

HP leaned into the workstation angle with a 700W PSU, tool-less access, and room for triple-wide graphics cards up to 600W. The chassis is designed for rack environments too, fitting one unit in a 4U rack. It ships with Windows 11 Pro, a wired keyboard and mouse, and HP Wolf Pro Security. At 6.80kg, it's not a machine you'll be moving around much, but the front and rear ledges are there if you need to shift it between locations.

Skip this machine if you need graphics performance out of the box. The integrated Intel Graphics put gaming at 19.6 out of 100, which is one of the worst scores we've seen for that use case. If you're a video editor, 3D artist, or anyone who relies on GPU acceleration, you'll be frustrated from day one. The 1TB SSD at the 54th percentile is also underwhelming for a workstation in this price range. And if you're the type who likes to move your PC around, the 6.80kg weight will get old fast. This is a machine for people who value CPU power and expandability above all else, not for those who want a complete, balanced system right away.

The HP Z2 G1i Workstation is a CPU monster wrapped in a practical, expandable chassis. The Core Ultra 9 285 at the 94th percentile is the reason to buy this machine. Everything else is either adequate or a placeholder for future upgrades. The integrated graphics are a clear weak point, and the gaming score of 19.6 confirms this is not a machine for play. But for developers, data analysts, and AI tinkerers who need serious CPU power and plan to add a discrete GPU down the line, this workstation delivers. Just make sure you're paying closer to USD 2,391 than USD 3,489.