Engineering MPD

Workstation or Server for Engineering Simulations?

January 24, 2025
9 min read
Ws-vs-server-engineer-sim-1.jpg

Exxact Corporation will be at OzenCon 2025, the largest Ansys Conference in the Bay Area where curious engineers can network and learn about innovative simulation use cases across various industries. The event is FREE; come swing by and see one of our high-performance workstations in action.

Introduction

Engineering simulations are a cornerstone of modern product design and analysis, enabling engineers to test and refine their concepts in virtual environments prior to production and prototyping. Ansys is a leader in this field, providing powerful tools for structural, fluid, and particle simulations with Mechanical, Fluent, and Rocky, respectively.

Selecting the right hardware for running Ansys applications is critical. The performance of these simulations depends heavily on computational power, memory, and storage capabilities. This blog explores whether workstations or servers are better suited for your Ansys workloads, helping you make an informed decision.

The Computational Demands of Ansys

Ansys Mechanical is used for structural simulations and finite element analysis, such as stress analysis and thermal studies. These workloads are sequential by nature: the current calculation is dependent on the previous time steps, and thus bulk computations are not easily parallelized.

  • Benefit from CPU performance with high core clock speeds, prioritizing single-threaded per core performance. Since Ansys Mechanical is a compute based licensing system, utilizing the less high performance CPU cores is more impactful than many lower performance cores.
  • High CPU RAM capacity is also critical for handling large models and post-processing tasks, especially for large models with many polygon meshing.

Ansys Fluent is a tool for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multi-physics simulations for aerodynamics, fluid behavior, heat transfer, and more. Since particles can be calculated independent of each other, these simulations often leverage parallel processing, making multi-core CPUs or GPU acceleration essential for reducing simulation time.

  • Certain applications utilize a GPU-native solver which offloads all computations to run on the GPU only. GPUs have tens of thousands of specialized math crunching cores compared to CPUs, ideal for pixels on a screen and now CFD simulation. A single GPUs deliver speedup of over 10x depending on model parameters and size.
  • For more accurate fluid modeling, high GPU VRAM or CPU RAM solutions can handle tens or hundreds of million element size simulations. Check with your solutions integrator or ISV to get a recommendation on model size and appropriate compute hardware.
  • High memory bandwidth is crucial for handling large-scale fluid dynamics models efficiently. The workstation card NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada has a 1TB/s memory bandwidth, which is ample, but a server-class GPUs like H200 NVL have a 4.8TB/s memory bandwidth for squeezing out even more performance.

Ansys Rocky specializes in particle simulations, such as granular flows, bulk material handling, mixing tanks, and more. These workloads also leverage parallel processing benefitting from both multi-CPU core deployments and GPU acceleration, particularly for simulations involving millions of particles. The ability to handle massive datasets and visualize results in real time is key for achieving optimal performance.

  • Certain Rocky use cases support GPU-native solver which offloads all computations to run on the GPU only. GPUs have substantially more cores than a single CPU, delivering speedup of over 11x depending on model parameters and size.
  • The larger the model the more GPU VRAM or CPU RAM is required. Mixing tanks and particle dynamics in general can incorporate millions of particles. Check with your solutions integrator or ISV to get a recommendation on model size and appropriate compute hardware.
  • Similar to Fluent, High memory bandwidth is crucial for handling large-scale fluid dynamics models efficiently.

Accelerate Simulations in Ansys with GPUs

With the latest CPUs and most powerful GPUs available, accelerate your Ansys simulation and CFD project optimized to your deployment, budget, and desired performance!

Configure Now

Workstations vs Servers for Ansys Simulations

Advantages of Workstations

Workstations are ideal for individual users running Ansys Mechanical, Rocky, or smaller Fluent simulations. These systems are designed for interactive workloads, enabling engineers to model, simulate, and visualize results on the same machine.

  • Real-Time Interaction: Workstations provide a responsive environment for pre-and-post-processing tasks, allowing for rapid iteration of models and designs.
  • Optimized Performance: High clock-speed CPUs with ample cores ensure that single-threaded or lightly-threaded applications, like many Mechanical workloads, perform efficiently.
  • Up to 4x GPUs: Scaling to dual or even quad GPU setups is possible via desktop or workstation processors. Additional GPUs can increase simulation model size capabilities for the most complex simulation practices.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: For users with small to moderate simulation needs, workstations offer an affordable entry solution that can scale as workloads get larger compared to servers.

Recommended Hardware for Ansys Workloads

  • Ansys Mechanical: Prioritize high clock-speed CPUs instead of cores at least 64GB of RAM, and NVMe SSDs for quick file access. For desktop processors, the Intel Core i9/Ultra 9 or AMD Ryzen 9 are good options. For workstation processors, the Intel Xeon W7-3455 or the AMD Threadripper PRO 7975X are great options that balance core count and clock speeds.
  • Ansys Fluent & Rocky: Include GPU acceleration for faster simulation solve times. We recommend the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada that can scale up to 4 GPUs. If you require Double Precision computing, you will have to go for the NVIDIA A800 40GB active.

We recognize that engineers may be using their solutions for multiple engineering applications. Configure your workstation to fit your needs in both CPU-only and GPU-native workloads. Workstations are well-suited for engineers handling localized simulations, iterative tasks, or workflows that don’t require massive computational power or collaboration across teams.

workstation for ansys fluent mechanical rocky

4 GPU Intel Xeon W Workstation - Click to Configure!

Servers for Ansys Simulations

Servers are purpose-built to handle the most demanding Ansys workloads, particularly those in Ansys Fluent or large-scale Ansys Mechanical projects. Their ability to scale resources and support distributed computing makes them indispensable for high-performance engineering simulations.

Advantages of Servers

  • Scalability: Servers can accommodate multi-core CPUs, multiple GPUs, and large amounts of RAM, enabling processing complex high element count models.
  • Multi-User Support: Servers allow multiple engineers to run simulations simultaneously, or submit them in a job queue improving collaboration and resource utilization.
  • Distributed Computing: Ansys Fluent benefits significantly from distributed processing across server clusters, reducing simulation runtimes for large CFD models.

Recommended Server Configurations

  • Ansys Mechanical (large models): Utilize high-core-count CPUs (e.g., AMD EPYC or Intel Xeon), and sufficient RAM at least 512GB of RAM, to manage memory-intensive structural simulations.
  • Ansys Fluent & Rocky: If running on CPU only, choose high core count CPU prioritizing clock speeds with ample RAM similar to if running Mechanical. However, since Fluent and Rocky have GPU native solvers, multiple NVIDIA H100 or H200 GPUs can drastically accelerate CFD simulations with support for double precision calculations.

Servers are the optimal choice for engineering teams managing complex, large-scale simulations or requiring centralized resources for distributed computing. Their power and scalability ensure efficient simulation workflows and faster time-to-results. While the NVIDIA H200 GPUs are very expensive, the investment is worth the squeeze; a single NVIDIA H200 performs equivalent to over 300 CPU cores which means an compute node with 8x GPUs have performance levels equivalent to thousands of CPU cores.

Exxact ran benchmarks in Ansys, Siemens, and Particleworks. Explore and read our engineering benchmark blogs here!

server for ansys fluent mechanical rocky

8x GPU Intel Xeon 4U Server- Click to Configure!

Choosing the Right Option for Your Ansys Workflow

Selecting between a workstation and a server depends on your specific simulation requirements, budget, and workflow. Here’s a breakdown to guide your decision:

Workstation

Server

  • Smaller Models: Ideal for Ansys Mechanical or Rocky simulations with moderate computational needs.

  • Individual Use: Perfect for engineers working independently on pre/post-processing or iterative modeling.

  • Cost Considerations: A workstation is a more budget-friendly solution for single-user environments.

  • Large-Scale Simulations: Best for complex, high-fidelity models in Ansys Fluent or multi-physics simulations.

  • Team Collaboration: Servers enable multi-user access, allowing teams to share resources efficiently.

  • Distributed Computing: Essential for Ansys Fluent's parallel processing capabilities, significantly reducing simulation time.

A hybrid setup is often the most efficient solution. Engineers can use a workstation for local modeling, visualization, and small simulations while leveraging a server for large-scale, resource-intensive computations. This approach ensures a balanced and cost-effective workflow.

Conclusion

Engineering simulations using Ansys software demand tailored hardware solutions to achieve optimal performance and efficiency. Workstations excel in interactive and moderate workloads, making them a great fit for individual users and small teams using Ansys. Servers, on the other hand, are indispensable for handling large-scale simulations, multi-user environments, and distributed computing for Ansys.

By understanding the unique demands of your simulations and aligning them with the strengths of workstations and servers, you can maximize productivity and minimize downtime.

Exxact has worked with numerous Ansys partners to deliver you a tailored system fit for your unique workload and workflow. Explore our workstation and server solutions, custom-built for Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, Rocky, and more. We also have experience with other Engineering MPD software like STARCCM+, Particleworks, and more. Let us help you find the perfect hardware for your engineering challenges.

Accelerate Simulations in Ansys with GPUs

With the latest CPUs and most powerful GPUs available, accelerate your Ansys simulation and CFD project optimized to your deployment, budget, and desired performance!

Configure Now
Ws-vs-server-engineer-sim-1.jpg
Engineering MPD

Workstation or Server for Engineering Simulations?

January 24, 20259 min read

Exxact Corporation will be at OzenCon 2025, the largest Ansys Conference in the Bay Area where curious engineers can network and learn about innovative simulation use cases across various industries. The event is FREE; come swing by and see one of our high-performance workstations in action.

Introduction

Engineering simulations are a cornerstone of modern product design and analysis, enabling engineers to test and refine their concepts in virtual environments prior to production and prototyping. Ansys is a leader in this field, providing powerful tools for structural, fluid, and particle simulations with Mechanical, Fluent, and Rocky, respectively.

Selecting the right hardware for running Ansys applications is critical. The performance of these simulations depends heavily on computational power, memory, and storage capabilities. This blog explores whether workstations or servers are better suited for your Ansys workloads, helping you make an informed decision.

The Computational Demands of Ansys

Ansys Mechanical is used for structural simulations and finite element analysis, such as stress analysis and thermal studies. These workloads are sequential by nature: the current calculation is dependent on the previous time steps, and thus bulk computations are not easily parallelized.

  • Benefit from CPU performance with high core clock speeds, prioritizing single-threaded per core performance. Since Ansys Mechanical is a compute based licensing system, utilizing the less high performance CPU cores is more impactful than many lower performance cores.
  • High CPU RAM capacity is also critical for handling large models and post-processing tasks, especially for large models with many polygon meshing.

Ansys Fluent is a tool for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multi-physics simulations for aerodynamics, fluid behavior, heat transfer, and more. Since particles can be calculated independent of each other, these simulations often leverage parallel processing, making multi-core CPUs or GPU acceleration essential for reducing simulation time.

  • Certain applications utilize a GPU-native solver which offloads all computations to run on the GPU only. GPUs have tens of thousands of specialized math crunching cores compared to CPUs, ideal for pixels on a screen and now CFD simulation. A single GPUs deliver speedup of over 10x depending on model parameters and size.
  • For more accurate fluid modeling, high GPU VRAM or CPU RAM solutions can handle tens or hundreds of million element size simulations. Check with your solutions integrator or ISV to get a recommendation on model size and appropriate compute hardware.
  • High memory bandwidth is crucial for handling large-scale fluid dynamics models efficiently. The workstation card NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada has a 1TB/s memory bandwidth, which is ample, but a server-class GPUs like H200 NVL have a 4.8TB/s memory bandwidth for squeezing out even more performance.

Ansys Rocky specializes in particle simulations, such as granular flows, bulk material handling, mixing tanks, and more. These workloads also leverage parallel processing benefitting from both multi-CPU core deployments and GPU acceleration, particularly for simulations involving millions of particles. The ability to handle massive datasets and visualize results in real time is key for achieving optimal performance.

  • Certain Rocky use cases support GPU-native solver which offloads all computations to run on the GPU only. GPUs have substantially more cores than a single CPU, delivering speedup of over 11x depending on model parameters and size.
  • The larger the model the more GPU VRAM or CPU RAM is required. Mixing tanks and particle dynamics in general can incorporate millions of particles. Check with your solutions integrator or ISV to get a recommendation on model size and appropriate compute hardware.
  • Similar to Fluent, High memory bandwidth is crucial for handling large-scale fluid dynamics models efficiently.

Accelerate Simulations in Ansys with GPUs

With the latest CPUs and most powerful GPUs available, accelerate your Ansys simulation and CFD project optimized to your deployment, budget, and desired performance!

Configure Now

Workstations vs Servers for Ansys Simulations

Advantages of Workstations

Workstations are ideal for individual users running Ansys Mechanical, Rocky, or smaller Fluent simulations. These systems are designed for interactive workloads, enabling engineers to model, simulate, and visualize results on the same machine.

  • Real-Time Interaction: Workstations provide a responsive environment for pre-and-post-processing tasks, allowing for rapid iteration of models and designs.
  • Optimized Performance: High clock-speed CPUs with ample cores ensure that single-threaded or lightly-threaded applications, like many Mechanical workloads, perform efficiently.
  • Up to 4x GPUs: Scaling to dual or even quad GPU setups is possible via desktop or workstation processors. Additional GPUs can increase simulation model size capabilities for the most complex simulation practices.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: For users with small to moderate simulation needs, workstations offer an affordable entry solution that can scale as workloads get larger compared to servers.

Recommended Hardware for Ansys Workloads

  • Ansys Mechanical: Prioritize high clock-speed CPUs instead of cores at least 64GB of RAM, and NVMe SSDs for quick file access. For desktop processors, the Intel Core i9/Ultra 9 or AMD Ryzen 9 are good options. For workstation processors, the Intel Xeon W7-3455 or the AMD Threadripper PRO 7975X are great options that balance core count and clock speeds.
  • Ansys Fluent & Rocky: Include GPU acceleration for faster simulation solve times. We recommend the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada that can scale up to 4 GPUs. If you require Double Precision computing, you will have to go for the NVIDIA A800 40GB active.

We recognize that engineers may be using their solutions for multiple engineering applications. Configure your workstation to fit your needs in both CPU-only and GPU-native workloads. Workstations are well-suited for engineers handling localized simulations, iterative tasks, or workflows that don’t require massive computational power or collaboration across teams.

4 GPU Intel Xeon W Workstation - Click to Configure!

Servers for Ansys Simulations

Servers are purpose-built to handle the most demanding Ansys workloads, particularly those in Ansys Fluent or large-scale Ansys Mechanical projects. Their ability to scale resources and support distributed computing makes them indispensable for high-performance engineering simulations.

Advantages of Servers

  • Scalability: Servers can accommodate multi-core CPUs, multiple GPUs, and large amounts of RAM, enabling processing complex high element count models.
  • Multi-User Support: Servers allow multiple engineers to run simulations simultaneously, or submit them in a job queue improving collaboration and resource utilization.
  • Distributed Computing: Ansys Fluent benefits significantly from distributed processing across server clusters, reducing simulation runtimes for large CFD models.

Recommended Server Configurations

  • Ansys Mechanical (large models): Utilize high-core-count CPUs (e.g., AMD EPYC or Intel Xeon), and sufficient RAM at least 512GB of RAM, to manage memory-intensive structural simulations.
  • Ansys Fluent & Rocky: If running on CPU only, choose high core count CPU prioritizing clock speeds with ample RAM similar to if running Mechanical. However, since Fluent and Rocky have GPU native solvers, multiple NVIDIA H100 or H200 GPUs can drastically accelerate CFD simulations with support for double precision calculations.

Servers are the optimal choice for engineering teams managing complex, large-scale simulations or requiring centralized resources for distributed computing. Their power and scalability ensure efficient simulation workflows and faster time-to-results. While the NVIDIA H200 GPUs are very expensive, the investment is worth the squeeze; a single NVIDIA H200 performs equivalent to over 300 CPU cores which means an compute node with 8x GPUs have performance levels equivalent to thousands of CPU cores.

Exxact ran benchmarks in Ansys, Siemens, and Particleworks. Explore and read our engineering benchmark blogs here!

8x GPU Intel Xeon 4U Server- Click to Configure!

Choosing the Right Option for Your Ansys Workflow

Selecting between a workstation and a server depends on your specific simulation requirements, budget, and workflow. Here’s a breakdown to guide your decision:

Workstation

Server

  • Smaller Models: Ideal for Ansys Mechanical or Rocky simulations with moderate computational needs.

  • Individual Use: Perfect for engineers working independently on pre/post-processing or iterative modeling.

  • Cost Considerations: A workstation is a more budget-friendly solution for single-user environments.

  • Large-Scale Simulations: Best for complex, high-fidelity models in Ansys Fluent or multi-physics simulations.

  • Team Collaboration: Servers enable multi-user access, allowing teams to share resources efficiently.

  • Distributed Computing: Essential for Ansys Fluent's parallel processing capabilities, significantly reducing simulation time.

A hybrid setup is often the most efficient solution. Engineers can use a workstation for local modeling, visualization, and small simulations while leveraging a server for large-scale, resource-intensive computations. This approach ensures a balanced and cost-effective workflow.

Conclusion

Engineering simulations using Ansys software demand tailored hardware solutions to achieve optimal performance and efficiency. Workstations excel in interactive and moderate workloads, making them a great fit for individual users and small teams using Ansys. Servers, on the other hand, are indispensable for handling large-scale simulations, multi-user environments, and distributed computing for Ansys.

By understanding the unique demands of your simulations and aligning them with the strengths of workstations and servers, you can maximize productivity and minimize downtime.

Exxact has worked with numerous Ansys partners to deliver you a tailored system fit for your unique workload and workflow. Explore our workstation and server solutions, custom-built for Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, Rocky, and more. We also have experience with other Engineering MPD software like STARCCM+, Particleworks, and more. Let us help you find the perfect hardware for your engineering challenges.

Accelerate Simulations in Ansys with GPUs

With the latest CPUs and most powerful GPUs available, accelerate your Ansys simulation and CFD project optimized to your deployment, budget, and desired performance!

Configure Now