Taking aim at rival blade workstations,
Dell modified its Precision T5400 desktop workstation into a rack-style format
it claims offers greater flexibility and performance for high-end graphics
customers, including CAD users.
The Dell Precision R5400 is a high-performance,
dualsocket 2U rack workstation that can accommodate up to two PCI-e x16 OpenGL
graphics cards via its built-in dual 150W slots on the motherboard. The ability
to house high-performance graphics cards, along with certification of most
leading CAD and engineering applications, makes the Precision R5400 a
compelling alternative to blade workstations, according to Mike Basore, Dell's
senior product manager for the Precision line. Blade workstations, Basore
maintains, are more limited in terms of configuration and visualization
capabilities.
"Our
solution provides greater flexibility in terms of providing a true workstation
experience," he says. "The Precision R5400 provides a broader usage model for
anyone with high-performance graphics needs."
In comparison, blade-style workstations
are more limited in terms of expansion for graphics' needs, typically coming
equipped with a general-purpose GPU. With the Precision R5400, users can choose
from a wealth of low- to high-end GPU choices, depending on their graphic and
visualization requirements, he says.
The rack design is also easier to install
and manage, Basore says, allowing customers to "power and go" without the
complexities of blade
infrastructures, enclosures and redundant power supplies.
Accompanying the new rack-style
workstation release is the Dell FX100, a remote access solution, which employs
the Teradici PC-over-IP technology, which when used with the R5400, allows engineering users
to access data and applications on the rack workstation remotely, in a secure
manner. "This is a system that allows the end user to access the workstation
from effectively whatever device, wherever they are in the world," Basore says.
"What a remote workstation does for you is keep intellectual property and
assets in the data center and it gives you the ability to have more control
over your assets."
The Precision R5400 starts at $1,869 and the FX100 unit
costs $800.
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