ThinkStation

Lenovo ThinkStation
Company type	Product line
Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	November 2007; 19 years ago
Headquarters	Beijing, China
Products	Professional-grade workstations

ThinkStation represents Lenovo's line of professional-grade workstations, initially introduced in November 2007 and made available to the market in January 2008. Engineered to support advanced computing tasks and computer-aided design (CAD) applications, it stands as a competitor to other enterprise workstation series such as Dell's Precision, HP's Z series, Acer's Veriton K series, and Apple's Mac Pro.

ThinkStation models categorized by launch year (2008–2024)
Market segment (Processor type)	Form factor	Year introduced
Market segment (Processor type)	Form factor	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Low-tier (Single Intel Core processor)	Tower														P348			P2 Gen1
Entry-tier (Single Intel Core or Xeon 3000/E3-1200/E-2000/W-1000 or AMD Ryzen PRO)	Tower			E20	E30	E31	E32	P300	P310		P320	P330	P330 Gen2	P340	P350	P358 P360	P3 Gen1
	(U)SFF					E31	E32	P300	P310
	Tiny
Mid-tier (Single Intel Core or Xeon W3000/5000/E5-1600/E5-2600/W-2000)	Tower	S10	S20				S30	P500		P410 P510	P520						P5 Gen1
	Compact tower										P520c
High-tier (Single Intel Xeon W-3000/AMD Threadripper PRO or Dual Xeon 5000/E5-2600/Scalable)	Tower (Intel)	D10	D20			D30			P700	P710	P720						P7 Gen1
	Tower (AMD)													P620				P8 Gen1
	Compact			C20 C20x		C30
Premium/Top-tier (Dual Intel Xeon 5000/E5-2600/Scalable)	Tower							P900		P910	P920						PX Gen1
Premium/Top-tier (Dual Intel Xeon 5000/E5-2600/Scalable)	Rack-mounted unit

P8 Gen 1

The Lenovo ThinkStation P8 Gen 1 is engineered as a high-capacity workstation powered by AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series CPUs, offering as many as 96 cores and clock speeds reaching 5.3GHz. It is specifically designed to excel in heavily threaded tasks such as 3D visualization and complex data processing. The system’s 4U chassis, inspired by Aston Martin design, incorporates sophisticated cooling solutions and supports up to 1TB of DDR5 memory. It can accommodate three double-width or six single-width Nvidia GPUs compatible with PCIe 5.0, alongside a maximum of 52TB NVMe and SATA RAID storage. Certified by ISVs for professional applications, it delivers extensive connectivity including USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6E, and optional 25-Gigabit Ethernet, aimed at professionals in design, engineering, and data center environments with enterprise-level manageability and security features.

P2 Gen 1

The ThinkStation P2 is equipped with Intel Core processors reaching up to the Core i9-14900K (Raptor Lake) variant, featuring as many as 24 cores to provide robust multitasking capabilities. It holds ISV certifications for software from Adobe, Autodesk, and Dassault Systèmes. Graphics configurations include the Nvidia RTX A2000 (12GB), suitable for intensive visualization needs. Memory support extends to 128GB DDR5 RAM, while storage options include up to 4TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs combined with 3.5-inch SATA HDDs up to 4TB that support RAID levels 0/1/5/10. The P2 Tower offers adaptable storage via a 3.5-inch Flex Bay and expansion slots for USB and serial interface cards; however, its smaller form factor limits the number of PCI cards, M.2 slots, and drive bays compared to larger workstation models.

P3/P5/P7/PX Gen 1

In May 2023, Lenovo unveiled the P3/P5/P7/PX Gen 1 series of ThinkStations. The top-tier ThinkStation PX (P10) is built around dual Intel 4th Gen Xeon Scalable 'Sapphire Rapids-SP' processors delivering up to a combined total of 120 cores and supports four Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs each equipped with 48 GB GDDR6 memory. The premium P7 model runs on Intel Xeon W-3400-series CPUs offering up to 56 cores and can house up to three Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Lovelace graphics cards. Positioned mid-range, the P5 incorporates Xeon W-2400-series processors with maximum core counts of 24 and supports two Nvidia RTX A6000 Ampere GPUs linked via NVLink technology. The entry-level P3 lineup includes Tiny, USFF, and tower configurations powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Core 'Raptor Lake-S' processors paired with Nvidia Quadro T400 or T1000 graphics solutions. These refreshed ThinkStations come equipped with baseboard management controllers that facilitate remote maintenance.

P360

Lenovo introduced the ThinkStation P360 as the successor to the P350, featuring Intel’s 12th generation Core 'Alder Lake-S' processors alongside professional Nvidia graphics cards and VR-capable options. This environmentally conscious model incorporates sustainable materials and is available starting at $1,049.

P350

The P350 replaced the previous P340 model and offers either Intel’s 11th-generation Core or Xeon W-1300 series processors with support for PCI Express 4.0 technology.

P340

The P340 succeeded the P330 workstation, featuring Intel’s 10th-generation Core or Xeon W-1200 processors.

2019

In May of 2019, Lenovo enhanced its ThinkStation P720 and P920 workstations by integrating dual Intel second-generation Xeon Scalable Cascade Lake-SP CPUs capable of up to 28 cores per socket running at speeds up to 4.4 GHz. Memory capacity reached up to 384 GB for the P720 and a maximum of 2 TB DDR4-2933 for the P920. Both systems support multiple Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 or GV100 GPUs along with NVMe/PCIe SSDs and provide storage scalability up to a total of 60 TB HDD capacity.

P330

Lenovo launched the P330 lineup as budget-friendly workstations available in three different chassis types. Serving as the successor to the P320 series, these models incorporated a refreshed design featuring 8th-generation Intel Core i5/i7 (Coffee Lake-S) and Xeon E-2100 processors tailored for professional workloads.

P520/P520c

Introduced in November 2017, the P520 and P520c primarily differ in memory capacity and physical dimensions: the P520 accommodates up to 256 GB of RAM via eight slots, whereas the more compact P520c supports a maximum of 128 GB across four slots.

P720/P920

These are mid-to-high tier workstations equipped with dual LGA 3647 sockets. Key specifications include:

CPUs: Compatibility with up to two Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors (first or second generation), including Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum tiers, each offering up to 28 cores.
Memory: Supports between 384 GB and up to 2 TB ECC DDR4-2666 RAM distributed over 12 or 16 slots.
Power Supply: Proprietary units available in 850 W or 1400 W variants.

P320

Offered in tower, small form factor (SFF), and tiny configurations. Compatible with Intel® Xeon® E3 v5/v6 and Core™ i3/i5/i7 CPUs. Memory capabilities vary: Tower and SFF versions support up to 64GB DDR4-2400 ECC or non-ECC across four DIMM slots; Tiny models allow up to 32GB DDR4-2400 non-ECC using two SO-DIMM slots.

P510

A premium single-socket workstation. Official details include:

Processor: Supports Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 series processors with up to 22 cores at 2.2 GHz.
Memory: Up to 256 GB RDIMM running at 2400 MHz across eight slots.
Graphics: Equipped with two PCIe x16 expansion slots compatible with Nvidia Quadro P6000 or Tesla K40 GPUs.
Power Supply: Available in proprietary 490 W or 650 W options.

P710

A workstation featuring dual CPU sockets. Specifications are:

Processors: Dual Intel E5-2600 v4 Broadwell-EP CPUs, each offering up to 22 cores and clock speeds reaching 3.6 GHz.
RAM: Maximum of 384 GB DDR4 RDIMM at 2400 MHz distributed over twelve slots (six per processor), supporting eight-channel memory architecture.
Storage: Capacity for up to twelve drives totaling as much as 36 TB; includes Flex Connector technology for dual M.2 devices; optional LSI RAID card for enhanced storage performance.
Expansion: Supports installation of up to three GPUs through PCIe 3.0 x16 slots or Nvidia accelerator cards.
Power Supply: Fixed wattage choices of 650 W or 850 W with auto-sensing capability; multiple CPU power configurations supported.

P910

A top-tier dual-socket workstation with the following official specs:

Processors: Two Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 CPUs.
Memory: Up to 896 GB LRDIMM or 512 GB RDIMM ECC DDR4-2400 across sixteen memory slots.
Graphics: Capable of supporting three NVIDIA GP100 GPUs optimized for advanced AI, deep learning, and simulation tasks.
Power Supply Unit: Proprietary model rated at 1300 W.

P310

Unveiled at AU 2015 as an entry-level workstation succeeding the P300 model. It features an Intel Xeon E3-1200v5 processor alongside Nvidia Quadro K series graphics. The system supports a maximum of 64 GB RAM and incorporates Lenovo’s FLEX drive technology.

P700

Released in November 2015, the P700 workstation boasts a modular chassis design allowing tool-free component swaps, a keyed side panel lock for security, and multiple front-facing I/O ports. It is equipped with Intel Xeon processors paired with Nvidia GPUs.

Specifications:

Processor: Supports up to two Intel E5-2699 v3 CPUs, each with up to eighteen cores running at base/boost frequencies of 2.3/3.6 GHz and featuring a shared L3 cache of 45 MB.
Memory: Up to 768 GB LRDIMM or alternatively 384 GB RDIMM at 2133 MHz; utilizes dual quad-channel memory architecture via twelve slots compatible with either 64 GB LRDIMMs or 32 GB RDIMMs.
Power Supply Unit: Options include either a 650 W or an 850 W unit.

2014

At SIGGRAPH 2014 in Vancouver, Lenovo unveiled the ThinkStation P Series, tailored for sectors such as engineering, architecture, professional video production, energy, finance, and other computation-heavy industries. This series comprises the P900, P700, P500, and P300 models, all equipped with Intel Xeon processors alongside Nvidia Quadro graphics cards. The P300 is powered by Haswell-based Xeon E3-1200 v3 CPUs utilizing dual channel memory; the P500 supports a single Haswell-EP Xeon E5-1600 v3 or E5-2600 v3 processor with quad channel memory; the P700 features dual Haswell-EP Xeon E5-2600 v3 processors; while the P900 shares similarities with the P700 but adds multi-PCIe capabilities and upgraded input/output options. This lineup holds ISV certification across numerous software applications.

Lenovo’s "Flex" system of trays and connectors enables tool-free upgrades within the P Series. The Flex Bay offers customizable front panel choices including optical drives, card readers, or FireWire ports. Drive trays are compatible with both 2.5" and 3.5" drives—each tray accommodating either one 3.5" drive or two 2.5" drives. Additionally, the Flex Connector mezzanine card provides PCIe connectivity from the motherboard to SATA, SAS, and RAID devices without occupying expansion slots.

P500

This model represents a high-performance single-socket workstation engineered for intensive workloads. Its main specifications include:

Processor: Up to Intel Xeon E5-2699 v3 featuring 18 cores at 2.67 GHz
Memory: Up to 512 GB LRDIMM or 256 GB RDIMM running at 2133 MHz across eight slots
Graphics: Two PCIe x16 slots supporting Nvidia Quadro M6000 or Tesla K20 GPUs
Power Supply: Custom 490W or 650W units

S30

The ThinkStation S30 was introduced in 2013, initially built on Intel Sandy Bridge chipsets and processors before transitioning to Ivy Bridge Xeon CPUs. Processor options ranged from quad-core models like the Xeon E5-1620 v2 up to twelve-core variants including the premium Xeon E5-2697 v2.

E32

Launched on August 21, 2013, the ThinkStation E32 is offered in both tower and compact 12.9L small form factor designs. It features Intel Haswell chipsets and supports Intel Xeon E3 processors as well as fourth-generation Core i7/i5 CPUs. Graphics configurations include integrated Intel HD Graphics P4600 and Nvidia NVS or Quadro cards up to the K4000 model. The system accommodates up to 32 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 ECC memory and includes six USB 3.0 ports.

Certified by ISVs for software from Autodesk, Adobe, Dassault Systèmes, PTC, Siemens, among others, the E32 is aimed at entry-level CAD and AEC professionals. Both chassis options carry an 80 Plus Platinum rating with power efficiency reaching up to 92%. Notably, this model marks the first ThinkStation series that does not support Windows XP due to its Intel Haswell platform and Microsoft's discontinuation of XP support in April 2014.

D30

The ThinkStation D30 debuted in 2012 as a full tower workstation capable of housing up to two Intel Xeon eight-core processors with hyperthreading technology, enabling processing of up to 32 simultaneous threads. Its graphics performance is driven by Nvidia Quadro cards. The D30 achieved a remarkable score of 25.31 points on Cinebench’s 3D rendering benchmark, significantly surpassing competitors such as the late-2012 Apple Mac Pro, which scored 7.36 points.

PC Magazine commended the D30 for its dual eight-core Xeon CPUs combined with robust Nvidia Quadro graphics options, emphasizing its strong performance, scalability, and reliability—qualities that make it an ideal workstation for accelerating project timelines and handling demanding professional tasks.

C30

The ThinkStation C30 is a premium dual-CPU workstation designed specifically for applications in video production, engineering, and financial sectors. Its chassis is somewhat more compact than a traditional full tower, offering two PCI slots, two vacant PCIe x16 slots for additional graphics cards, one available PCIe x4 slot, and capacity for two extra hard drives. Standard configurations include dual Intel Xeon E5-2620 processors, support for up to 256 GB ECC DDR3 memory across two sets of four slots, an Nvidia Quadro 4000 graphics card, and a 500 GB hard disk. An option for rack mounting is also provided.

PC Magazine recognized the C30 as a robust choice for professionals in finance and engineering who have limited space, recommending it even though the ThinkStation D30—larger, more powerful, and offering greater upgrade flexibility—was awarded the Editors' Choice distinction for dual-processor workstations.

E30

Introduced in March 2011, the E30 workstation supported Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors as well as Xeon E3-1200 series CPUs. Storage options ranged from 80 GB to 160 GB solid-state drives. Users could select from discrete Nvidia Quadro or NVS graphics cards.

Tao Gu, General Manager of Lenovo’s Workstation Business Unit, highlighted the E30’s combination of strong processing power and certified software compatibility at an accessible desktop-level price point.

Notable specifications included:

CPU: 2nd generation Intel Core (up to i7-2600) or Xeon E3-1200 series (up to E3-1245/1270)
Memory: Maximum 32 GB DDR3-1333 ECC across four slots
Integrated graphics: Intel HD 2000/3000 or HD P3000 (Xeon E3-12x5 models only)
Dedicated graphics: Up to Nvidia Quadro NVS 450 with 512 MB or Quadro 2000 with 1 GB
Storage capacity: As much as 2 TB 7200 RPM SATA, 600 GB 10,000 RPM SATA, or 160 GB SSD
Dimensions: 412 x 175 x 420 mm; Weight: approximately 31 lbs

C20

The C20 workstation was engineered to be compact and easily mounted in racks, permitting up to fourteen units within a standard 42U rack space. This efficient design also benefited individual users by conserving desk or floor area.

Primary specifications comprised:

Processors: Dual Xeon 5600 series
Chipset: Intel 5520
Memory: Up to 48 GB DDR3 running at 1066 MHz distributed over six slots
Graphics capabilities: Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots supporting dual Nvidia Quadro FX 4800 cards
Storage options: Up to three 500 GB SATA drives
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
Optical drive bay: One 5.25" slot equipped with DVD or Blu-ray reader/writer

Reviews commended the C20 for its strong performance and quiet operation under heavy workloads, though its price point was considered steep by many purchasers. It was especially recommended for professionals requiring substantial computing power without the size of a server cluster—particularly appealing to graphics and video production specialists. The system was not intended for gaming purposes.

PCMag awarded the C20 a rating of four out of five stars along with the Editors' Choice accolade, emphasizing its suitability as an ISV-certified Windows 7 workstation that offers rapid performance and easy maintenance—ideal for high-budget projects.

The C20 held certifications from major ISVs including:

Autodesk products such as 3ds Max, Alias Studio, AutoCAD, Maya, Softimage
Dassault Systèmes applications like Catia and SolidWorks
PTC software including CoCreate Modeling and Pro/E Wildfire
Siemens NX series

E20

PCMag described the E20 workstation as a genuine workstation priced comparably to consumer PCs and granted it an "Honorable Mention" in their 2010 "Best of the Year" awards. It carried environmentally conscious certifications such as Energy Star 5.0 and GREENGUARD, incorporated plastics made from 66% recycled materials, and participated in Lenovo’s recycling initiatives at product end-of-life.

Desktop Review praised its quiet operation, sturdy construction, and efficient design, giving it four stars out of five.

Key features included:

Processor options: First-generation dual-core Core i3/i5 or Xeon quad-core models up to X3470
Memory capacity: Up to 16 GB DDR3 ECC
Storage: Maximum of 500 GB SATA drives
Graphics options: Nvidia Quadro FX1800 or Quadro 2000 cards available
Optical drive: Dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional

The E20 received ISV certifications from Autodesk (AutoCAD versions from 2009 through 2011) and Dassault Systèmes (Catia V5 and SolidWorks editions from 2009 to 2011).

S20

Introduced in 2009, the S20 workstation provided a wide range of expansion options, including PCI, PCIe x1, and two PCIe x16 slots. It also accommodated an additional optical drive and had room for two more 3.5-inch hard drives. Connectivity featured 10 USB ports alongside a single eSATA port; however, it did not include a standard Firewire connection. From an environmental standpoint, the system earned certifications such as EPEAT Gold, RoHS compliance, Energy Star 5.0, and GREENGUARD.

Key technical details included:

CPU: Xeon W3500/5500 series (2009) or W3600/5600 series (2010)
Chipset: Intel X58
Memory: DDR3-1333 ECC supporting up to 24 GB across six slots
Storage: Capacity for three 500 GB SATA drives at 7200 RPM configured in RAID 0
Graphics: Dual PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots compatible with Nvidia Quadro FX 4800/4000 or ATI FirePro V7750
Optical Drive: Dual-layer DVD reader and writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business

The S20 held ISV certifications for Autodesk applications such as 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Inventor, Maya, Softimage; Dassault Systèmes products including Catia V5/V6 and SolidWorks; as well as Siemens NX versions 4 and 5.

D20

Released concurrently with the S20 in 2009, the D20 workstation shared many similarities but was notably larger in size. According to Desktop Engineering, the D20 achieved exceptional benchmark results on both Windows XP and Vista platforms. Despite incorporating multiple cooling fans, the system operated with remarkable quietness after startup.

Principal specifications included:

Processors: Dual Xeon 5500 series (2009) or 5600 series (2010)
Chipset: Intel 5520
Memory: DDR3-1333 ECC up to 96 GB with UDIMM or up to 192 GB using RDIMM across twelve slots
Graphics: Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots supporting up to two Nvidia Quadro FX 5800 or 5000 cards
Storage: Up to five SATA drives at 7200 RPM with a capacity of 500 GB each configured in RAID 0
Optical Drive: Dual-layer DVD reader/writer with 16x speed

S10

Trusted Reviews highlighted that although the S10 utilized a consumer-grade chipset, no performance drawbacks were observed.

Technical specifications:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 maximum
Chipset: Intel X38
Memory: Up to 8 GB DDR3-1066 ECC distributed over four slots
Graphics: Two PCIe x16 slots and one PCIe x4 slot, with Nvidia Quadro options ranging from NVS 290 to FX 4600
Storage: Supports up to three drives; SATA at 7,200 RPM up to 750 GB or SAS at 15,000 RPM up to 300 GB
Optical Drives: Two bays sized at 5.25", supporting DVD or Blu-ray burners
Form Factor: Mid-tower measuring 426 x 175 x 483 mm
Power Supply: ATX unit rated at 650 Watts

D10

The D10 workstation was equipped with a server-class Intel 5400a chipset and dual Xeon processors, allowing support for up to 64 GB of DDR2 ECC RAM. Its larger motherboard necessitated a bigger chassis featuring additional drive bays and rack-mount compatibility.

Core specifications:

CPUs: Dual Xeon from the 5300 or 5400 series (up to model X5460)
Chipset: Intel 5400a
Memory: Up to 64 GB DDR2-667 ECC FB-DIMM across eight slots
Graphics: Dual PCIe 2.0 x16 slots supporting Nvidia Quadro cards from NVS 290 through FX 4600
Storage: Capacity for five drives; SATA at 7,200 RPM up to 750 GB or SAS at15,000 RPM up to300 GB
Optical Drives: Three bays of size5.25", compatible with DVD or Blu-ray burners
Form Factor: Tower measuring434 x210 x602 mm
Power Supply: Proprietary unit rated at1000 Watts

References