HP Z2 Mini G9 review: Miniature workstation sports Intel Core i7-14700K and RTX A2000 with 12 GB VRAM

As a compact workstation, HP offers a rock-solid selection with the Z2 Mini G9 models. The modular design allows the manufacturer to provide a variety of system configurations. Here we have tested the HP Z2 Mini G9 with Intel Core i7-14700K and an Nvidia RTX A2000. There is also 32 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD. The compact workstation is priced at around 1,950 euros (~US$2160). In the top configuration, the HP Z2 Mini G9 can also be equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900K and an Nvidia RTX A4000. However, you will have to budget just over 3,000 euros (~US$3680) for this.

We will now take a closer look at how well the HP Z2 Mini G9 performs in the test. As we haven't tested recently any compact workstation PCs with a dedicated graphics card, we are using alternative comparison devices. The Asus ROG NUC 14 is certainly the toughest challenger, as Asus also offers the mini PC without the ROG branding.

Note: We have updated our rating system and the results of version 8 are not comparable with the results of version 7 available here.

With the Z2 Mini G9, HP relies on a very high-quality casing, which is largely made of metal. Only the front, which also serves as the fresh air intake, is made of plastic and fits perfectly into the overall look. The black metal surfaces give the device a pleasant tactile feel. However, the surfaces are a magnet for fingerprints, which become visible very quickly. All in all, the casing offers many options for equipping the Z2 Mini G9 with different configurations. This is due to the ingenious modular design. Even a dedicated graphics card can be installed.

The HP Z2 Mini G9 is only equipped with one network socket, which only offers a maximum GBit speed. This is clearly not enough for a modern workstation. Wireless communication is even completely omitted, which is why we cannot provide performance data. If you are reliant on a wireless connection, you will have to use a USB Wi-Fi adapter.

The HP Z2 Mini G9 is available in various configurations, which differ in terms of processor, graphics card, and memory configuration. The wide range of options is facilitated by the sophisticated modular design. Nevertheless, some limitations primarily relate to the graphics card. Only small models can be installed here due to the compact design. HP relies on space-saving SO-DIMM modules for the RAM. RAM and SSD are easily accessible and can even be removed without the tools. Cleaning the device is quick and easy thanks to the modular design.

The HP Z2 Mini G9 PCs are delivered in a nondescript cardboard box. However, the outer packaging is somewhat larger due to the accessories. The accessories are packed in separate plastic sleeves, which in our opinion could be improved in terms of sustainability. Once again, the modular design, which allows for minor repairs, should be emphasized. Various spare parts can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. As the manufacturer informed us on request, so-called ocean-bound plastic is used for the production of the devices, which would otherwise have ended up in the oceans. The manufacturer also relies on innovative recycled raw materials such as used cooking oil, fishing nets, and coffee grounds. This is underpinned by various certifications from external partners such as "Blue Angel", "EPEAT" and "TCO".

We use the "HP Optimized" energy profile for all performance tests with the HP Z2 Mini G9. HP itself does not offer any options for customizing the system's performance. However, the processor's power limits can be adjusted via the XTU (Intel Extreme Tuning Utility) tool. We do not recommend increasing the values. This is because the power consumption is too high and the power supply and cooling unit are not designed for this.

The Intel Core i7-14700K is an excellent choice in terms of computing power to handle even power-hungry tasks. However, due to the small cooling unit, HP has to reduce the processor's power consumption somewhat. Nevertheless, the manufacturer allows a maximum power consumption of up to 253 watts for a short time. However, we never reached this value in the test - that much can be revealed at this point. There is a further power gradation at 150 watts, although the Intel Core i7-14700K has 90 watts available under continuous load.

The performance comparison shows a close race with the Minisforum G7 PT which is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX. Intel performs slightly better in some tests, although the AMD processors perform better in others. In the end, however, neither of them can stand out. The HP Z2 Mini G9 has a slightly larger lead over the Asus ROG NUC 14. Our test sample delivers a better performance than the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H on average 20 percent more performance.

For further comparisons and benchmarks, please refer to our CPU comparison table.

The performance losses that we observed under full load do not have a significant impact on the overall system performance. In PCMark 10, however, the HP Z2 Mini G9 is again beaten by the Minisforum G7PT. Slightly better results can be seen in the Crossmark test and the RAM tests based on AIDA64. The HP Z2 Mini G9 is equipped with DDR5-5600, which is in line with Intel's specifications. As a workstation, however, we would have expected the use of ECC RAM.