Which One Should You Choose? NVIDIA RTX 6000 PRO Blackwell Workstation, Max-Q, and Server Editions In Stock

Ethan Malone • Last updated: September 30, 2025

Image credit: NVIDIA

Overview

As workloads grow more demanding across data visualization, rendering, and AI, there is no shortage of interest in the most powerful desktop GPU NVIDIA has ever created – the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell. Using the GB202 die alongside 96GB of GDDR7 VRAM, 24,064 CUDA cores, and 752 tensor cores, it is a monster of a card that lives up to the previous claim. But which version of the RTX 6000 PRO should you choose?

At Central Computers, we carry all three current variants of the card: Workstation Edition, Max-Q, and Server Edition. Each version is optimized for a different use case, and may not be compatible in certain environments, which we are hoping to clear up and assist you in choosing the right model for your needs.

To preface, each version shares the same internal components; same GB202 chip, VRAM configuration, everything. The only differences are that they come in a variety of different form factors each suited to their own unique use-case and have different power delivery settings based on the option you choose.

Here is a table featuring the specifications of each RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell variant. For considering customers, we recommend you read further below for more details on what makes each form factor special and unique to your situation. More detailed specifications pulled directly from the cards' official data sheet are available on their individual product pages, which are linked in the following table.

AI, HPC, or data science startup? You may be eligible for exclusive GPU discounts via the NVIDIA Inception Program.

1.) NVIDIA RTX 6000 PRO Blackwell Workstation Edition

Model: PNY VCNRTXPRO60000B-PB
Price (as of 9/30/2025): $8,149.99
Power Consumption: Up to 600W
Cooling: Dual-fan Active Cooler
Form Factor: Full-Height, Dual-Slot Card
Dimensions: 5.4” (H) × 12” (L)
In-Stock Now!

Firstly, the Workstation Edition is a flow-through dual-fan model that resembles what most might imagine when they picture a standard desktop GPU. It is ideal for exactly that; high performance desktops using spacious ATX cases. Combined with a higher 600W power limit compared to its 300W blower-style sibling, it is the best choice for customers looking to use one or two RTX 6000 PRO Blackwell GPUs in their high-end desktop.

While the dual-fan variants of NVIDIA’s enterprise cards are historically not recommended for multi-GPU usage due to the flow-through design causing the GPUs’ fans to blow hot air into each other, we actually tested a configuration containing 4x RTX 6000 PRO Workstation Edition GPUs in a fairly standard ATX full-tower case for one of our loyal corporate customers that passed all of our testing, and was able to hold its own under strenuous conditions.

Worth noting: Although it performs better than we anticipated in multi-GPU configurations, keep in mind that the Workstation Edition will NOT fit in 2U server chassis, as the card is full height; the height of the heat shroud exceeds the PCIe bracket. If you are using a 2U chassis, you will need either the Max-Q or Server Edition.

2.) NVIDIA RTX 6000 PRO Max-Q Workstation Edition

Model: PNY VCNRTXPRO6000BQ-PB
Price (as of 9/30/2025): $8,249.99
Power Consumption: Up to 300W
Cooling: Single-Fan Blower
Form Factor: Standard Height, Dual-Slot
Dimensions: 4.4” (H) × 10.5” (L)
Availability: In-Stock!

The Max-Q Workstation Edition uses a single blower-style fan with the heatsink fully enclosed to ensure that the direction of air is controlled solely by the blower fan. This singular fan is responsible for sucking fresh air into the heat shroud, directing it across the surface of the hot PCB and heatsink, and exhausting it out the rear IO grille. This design is ideal for tightly packed, multi-GPU configurations, where managing internal airflow is critical. Thanks to the enclosed blower design, using multiple of this GPU is easy compared to the flow-through design of the Workstation Edition.

While the 300W TDP limit compared to the 600W limit on the other versions might scratch some heads, those familiar with enterprise GPUs might already be aware that this is a design choice made to assist with scalability; it is best suited in environments with several GPUs stacked on top of each other. It’s an ideal choice for any user wanting to fit 2–4 RTX 6000 PRO Blackwell GPUs in a chassis that does not have robust external airflow in either a desktop chassis or server chassis, and/or has limitations on PSU wattage (4x 600W cards is a different beast compared to 4x 300W). If you want to keep a single power supply for your multi-GPU setup, Max-Q is the best choice for you.

Recently, we assembled this Orion Max AI Workstation containing 4 RTX PRO 6000 Max-Q GPUs, demonstrating its scalability and cooling efficiency in a production-ready build.

3.) NVIDIA RTX 6000 PRO Server Edition

Model: PNY NVRTXPRO6000TCGPU-KIT
Price (as of 9/30/2025): $8,299.99
Power Consumption: Configurable up to 600W
Cooling: Passive Heatsink (No Fan, Requires External Airflow)
Form Factor: Standard Height, Dual-Slot
Dimensions: 4.4” (H) × 10.5” (L)
Availability: In-stock!

Designed for rackmount servers in densely packed datacenters, the Server Edition lacks an active cooling fan and relies entirely on external airflow (typically provided by high-pressure server chassis fans) with a passive heatsink. It is ideal for use in densely-packed systems with robust external airflow. It also offers power configurability up to the full 600W envelope offered by the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPU if your airflow solution is capable of cooling it.

If your rackmount system is capable of delivering ample power alongside redundant cooling solutions (including high pressure internal chassis fans as previously mentioned and external cooling), the Server Edition is the perfect choice for your deployment, as you can enjoy the maximum throughput of the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell while also being able to use several at a time.

Which Should You Choose?

• You have a full-tower ATX workstation, prioritize peak single-GPU performance, and plan on one or two GPUs → Workstation Edition.
• You need 2–4 GPUs in one system and want easier scaling with simpler PSU requirements → Max-Q.
• You are deploying into rackmount servers where the chassis provides high-pressure airflow → Server Edition.

Tip: AI, HPC, and data science startups may qualify for discounts via the NVIDIA Inception Program.