HP Z840 review: specs, options & used prices

What this machine is

As used-market workstation desktops go, the HP Z840 (2012) is a known quantity: standard parts, a wide configuration ladder, and steady supply on the secondary market.

Workstation lines exist for sustained professional loads: server-derived CPU options, high memory ceilings, and a chassis designed to run all day rather than all morning.

Tracked used listings cluster around a median of $692 (42 active listings at the time of writing).

Configurations you will actually see

Configurations we track pair the Z840 with the Xeon E5-2620 v3, Xeon E5-2630 v3, Xeon E5-2637 and 3 more. Xeon-branded options are server-derived silicon aimed at sustained, multi-user loads; check the exact model number in each listing.

Memory options run from 4 GB to 192 GB (4 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, 24 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 192 GB). For a current operating system, treat anything below 8 GB as a first upgrade, not a final configuration.

Solid-state storage options include 1.2TB SSD, 1TB NVMe, 1TB SSD, 256GB NVMe and 2 more.

Hard-disk listings (1TB HDD, 2TB HDD and 2 more) also exist — an SSD remains the single most noticeable upgrade on this class of machine.

Drive options without a clear type in the listing (1TB, 3TB and 4TB) should be verified with the seller.

Workstation notes

Workstation configurations target engineering, CAD, rendering and virtualisation workloads that run for hours, not minutes.

Expect higher idle draw and more fan noise than office small-form-factor machines; these were designed to be worked, not to whisper.

Who it fits

It fits engineering, CAD, rendering and pro-workstation roles on a budget — as long as the software tolerates the age of the platform.

The spec sheet carries the full option ladder and tracked prices; for context, browse the desktop catalog or the HP desktops page.

Verdict

Judged as a tool rather than a toy, the Z840 holds a clear niche at the sensible end of the used market.

Buy it when you need a cheap, repairable machine for its class of work, and verify the configuration before paying — RAM and storage vary widely between listings. Tracked prices span $39 to $1,750, and most of that spread is configuration, not condition.

Our composite LB Score currently sits at 15/100 — a score that mostly reflects the platform age — use it to compare like with like, not against modern hardware.

At this age, plan for the drive first, the memory second, and treat the rest as a bonus.