Alright guys and gals I started my weekend off in an amazing fashion and got my shiny new Threadripper system up and going. It has taken me almost a month just to get all the components in, assembled, and functional. But it turned out really well, and I am wanting to share my experience. For starters this system is nothing but a pet project of mine that was started because I wanted a HEDT platform to experiment with and/or utilize for engineering/scientific purposes. It isn’t a gaming system (as is clearly demonstrated by the components) and I have better, more appropriate, and cost effective machines for such purposes. So let’s get into it.
System specs:
Case: Corsair 750D
CPU: AMD Threadripper 7970x
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken Elite 280mm
Memory: Kingston Fury 128GB R-DIMMs
GPU: AMD Radeon Pro W7700
Storage: Crutical T705 4TB NVMe & TeamGroup EX2 8TB
Optical Drive: Asus Blu Ray (some model)
PSU: Be Quite Pure Power 1000W
Fans: Be Quite light wings (140mmx5, 120mmx2)
OS: Arch Linux
So this machine is supposed to be a dream build/10 year computer that will require minimal upgrades and maintenance as well as be able to tackle most any multithreaded task thrown at it. So far it has proven to be capable to handling such loads. Once configured (that was challenge we will discuss later) it has lived up to that expectation with wickedly fast compile times and not even batting an eye at GPU testing benchmarks.
So what went well. Motherboard and CPU combination has been excellent. The case, despite it’s age, has served me well for decade that his instance is no exception. And the Be Quite fans and PSU have been excellent with not failures or headaches. Also the NZXT Kraken has preformed exceptionally well keeping this beast under 50C even when stress testing at 100% load.
Now let’s talk about what I/the machine didn’t/doesn’t do well. First is the memory as I failed to do my due diligence and purchase R-DIMMS upfront (no loss though as those can be used in other systems). So while I understand the why behind that particular technical requirement it doesn’t mean I like it. Seconldy is the cooler selection the Threadripper 7000 series has a rather limited selection of CPU coolers as very few manufacturers are currently making cooler (especially aestically pleasing ones) for the 7000 series. And with this limited selection there are also limited options for software control of such devices, especially under Linux. In this case I tried OpenRGB and this particular model of cooler is not supported (hints the sideways display)And the the last gripe I have the another of those things that I understand the engineering behind it but I still don’t like it. The board itself has a massive number of power delivery port with a 24 pin+8 pin(2)+6 pin(3). Oh those the all put 2 are required for the system to function. The manual itself illudes to this but the actual requirement are in a separate pamplet. This is something that at the very least should be better explained.
Glad you are up and running with this beast of a machine.
What stands out to me as a fellow 7970X user is how your CPU runs with a Asetek style 280mm cooler. 50 degrees under load is unbelievably cool. What type of workloads does your machine run? I use a 360mm AIO and often see 95 degrees, but my rig has big GPUs in it, and most of my loads have AVX2 and AVX512 instructions.
Sorry that was a misunderstanding of the read out. the 50 degrees is liquid temperatures. The core temp actually 95-97 degrees. As for the workloads I plan to use this machine for is distributive computer (boinc), 3d rendering, CAD work, and video encoding. So far the synethic benchmarks I have run via Phoronix Test Suite have been impressive. Once I get done with burn-in I’ll post those as well.
ahhh, that makes more sense, I was wondering if I had left the ‘please remove’ sticker on my cooler for a moment there!
Very nice, yeah a 7970X will fly with that work, your temps will come down if you use a full size IHS AIO or cooler. I’m using the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360 AIO. My 3 GPUs are dumping a lot of heat in my case so naturally it will get hot. Other work loads I do will see 82 degrees.
I’m on Windows, and very happy with the speed and stability, how is the Linux experience?
I’ve thought about a custom AlphaCool loop but I’m just not convienced that I want to put that much work into the system. Rigid tubed custom loops are high maintenance and a lot of work if you ever need to remove components. So I don’t know might get to at some point but it isn’t something I feel I need to address right now…
As for the Linux experience it is fantastic. I have been using Linux to some degree since the mid 90s and the only use I have for Windows is running a VM for the few things I do that require it (there just aren’t Linux alternative things like Garmin Express and some of my radio programming software). With the direction Windows is heading I just can’t justify running it as a primary OS anymore.
Very nice Rig. Congrats. I like your logic. Overkill on the build so it should last you a long time. I know I would love a threadripper build. you did an excellent job.
I thought about it but much prefer water cooling. The thermals are decent now but I might swap to an Alphacool AIO on account of them having a product with larger coldplate made for Xeons and Threadrippers. Other then that all my fans are going to remain Be Quites as minimizing noise was one of the priorities for this machines.
