The tech world is full of various types of computers that have all been designed to excel in their own specific niches. But you may wonder if certain computers can have more than one use. More specifically, can workstation computers be used for gaming and are they good for it?
We all know the versatility that a computer offers, providing their owners with a place where they can work, game and do countless other activities. However, workstations are more powerful than your typical desktop PC, so those who own one may want to discover its true potential. This post will take a closer look at what workstation computers are and if they are suitable for playing your favourite games.
What is a workstation computer used for?
Before we take a look at what a workstation computer is used for, we need to answer the following question; what is a workstation?
To put it simply, workstations are desktop PCs that have been seriously upgraded to handle demanding applications. Workstations offer superior specifications than your typical desktop computer, with improved processors, more storage and the ability to run constantly. Due to the impressive capabilities of workstations, they are often used by persons that have demanding PC-related workflow. For example, this can include video editors, 3D designers, data scientists and engineers.
When purchasing a workstation, you will find multiple configuration options available to you, allowing you to tailor the PC to your personal requirements. Workstation PCs are conventionally designed using a tower chassis. However, you can now find small form factor and mini workstation PCs.
Workstations vs Gaming PCs
Workstations and gaming PCs have their similarities, but they also have differences that extend further than the RGB design features.
Working and gaming are two functions that PCs are commonly used for, and some set-ups are great at doing both, while some are not so good. This section of the post takes a closer look at how workstations and gaming PCs compare against one another.
Performance
In terms of their performance, both types of PC are required to run demanding applications or games. Workstations typically have more powerful processors than their gaming counterparts, which means they could undoubtedly handle demanding video games. On the other hand, gaming PCs tend to feature better graphics cards to offer gamers better visual performance. This is not to say that workstations have poor graphic performance, as they also have very powerful graphics cards to allow them to run multiple monitors.
Memory
Workstations trump gaming PCs when discussing memory. Not only do workstations tend to have more memory in general, but they also have faster storage. The main difference between the two computers is that workstations have ECC (Error-Correcting Code) RAM. ECC memory has the ability to spot and fix potential data errors that may occur without causing any issues to sensitive processes.
Price
Price is something that varies from one computer to another. Workstations often cost more than gaming PCs, but this is not definite. Whether you are looking to buy a gaming PC or a workstation, you should always figure out what you require from the PC before making a purchase.
Are workstations good for gaming?
So, are workstations good for gaming? Now that we know the ins and outs of a workstation and how they compare with gaming PCs, we should better understand how they operate with gaming tasks.
Workstations typically have the ideal specifications to offer impressive gaming potential with powerful processors, large memory banks and high-quality graphics cards. However, the overall outcome of how well a workstation can be used for gaming comes down to the GPU. Unfortunately, workstation GPUs are designed to work efficiently and stably rather than provide exceptional performance. As a result, the gaming performance will be very limited if an inexpensive GPU is fitted to your workstation.
Overall, workstations can be good for gaming. Still, if you intend on only gaming, we strongly advise buying a gaming PC, as workstations are typically a lot more expensive and may not offer all the required features.
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