Threadripper 3970X set up.

[R0H1T]

Air would be IMO a better recommendation as well, unless you plan to keep the system under load for sustained periods of time?

 

[laszlo]

in case you decide water cooling be aware that you may need airflow for components near cpu; i see the case has in front two fans but they blow air in rack cage so i don't know if you'll have a good airflow overall;the other fan is from psu.... does the case has fan on side panel?

 

[thesmokingman]

Throttle city...

 

[ratirt]

I went with Noctua NH U9 TR4-SP3. Ordered the NH U120 TR4-SP1 but unfortunately it didn't fit in the case. The case is not that good but it must be a rack mount. The water cooling will not fit in this one for sure. I beed thinking about the water cooling and it would have been perfect and way better solution. But the time is running out and I need those threads running ASAP. I been trying to find better chassis and I did find one but the Rosewill https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Rackmount-Computer-Pre-Installed-RSV-L4000/dp/B00N9CXGSO?th=1 can't get where I live. Any ideas or advice with chassis that would fit liquid cooling and would be 4U? I been racking my head to find one but I didn't see anything worth attention. I'd go massive liquid but the chassis available is pretty shitty and I don't want to go overboard with cash.
I don't need frequency that much but I need a lot of threads so throttle city may not be the case. Although, it would have been better if the TR's work with their fool potential so I will be willing to change the set up and upgrade when the time comes. I need to go with this for now.
It won't be full utilization 24/7 that is for sure. The threads is all that matters and I'm sure I can get along with it.
If you guys have any advice for the components used please share. Especially in the chassis department to fit liquid because that one is a hard topic.

 

[Chomiq]

Hit up Wendell from L1T he might give you some suggestions.

 

[Valantar]

Air would be IMO a better recommendation as well, unless you plan to keep the system under load for sustained periods of time?

Why would you buy a CPU like this unless you are planning to keep the system under load for sustained periods of time? You don't buy a 32-core monster for bursty, mostly-idle workloads.

@ratirt Given that the U14s TR4-SP3 struggles on my partner's TR 1920X (in a rather choked off case, but still) I would think you will see some very significant throttling. That cooler is not rated for 280W.

 

[R0H1T]

By load I mean heavy load & no you can buy 32 cores for a lot a things that don't put the system under the said conditions. VM for instance, you don't have to run the system maxed out all the time ~ that's what I meant as being the ideal use case for water cooling on TR4.

 

[ratirt]

Well either way I need to give it a try and see how it will go. I do understand that the cooler is not rated for TR. If anything I will search for a chassis that you can fit liquid in it and go from there. I will have to do some tests and if it pans out ok then I will leave it. It will get an upgrade in time with cooling system that would be up for the task of cooling this monster. I need to find that chassis first.

 

[Sashleycat]

You may consider using Ryzen Master or BIOS to limit the PPT of the processor, or it might have an "eco mode". Using that and a reasonably large air cooler would be my choice. (I'm really jelly, that is a LOT of cores ). Zen2 perf/watt with frequency really drops off over like 4 GHz. I've got a top-down air cooler on my 3950X with a 105W PPT max (146W stock). I've done some testing (which should be broadly similar with 2x the cores) that the perf/watt reduction for the last 5% of clock speed is really, really not worth it. Temperature also skyrocket from 105 to 125W PPT. (15C+). If you're doing heavy multi-core work (which I assume you are for 3970X) then limiting the PPT to something that a reasonable air cooler (Noctua) can handle might be an option.

I know not a lot of people are in the frame of mind to "downclock" their new processors, but the desktop Ryzen/TR SKU are a bit over their "sweetspots" imho

 

[ratirt]

Ok so I've got a different problem now. One is already running but the second one is giving me a hard time. It does not boot whatsoever.
I just hear a click coming from the power supply and it shuts down. The motherboard is lit and the GPU is powered. The motherboard has been changed and nothing. The memory also and power supply as well but still nothing (both worked with the 1st computer). The power cables are the same though so maybe that is the problem although rather slim chance. I didn't hook anything except the processor, GPU and memory.
It might be the chip. Any ideas?

 

[dgianstefani]

The corsair ram is crap and should be avoided for Ryzen systems. Go with a good Team Dark Pro or GSkill Trident Z Neo kit.

While the Samsung 970 Pro is gen 3 you can sell them and upgrade to 980 pro gen 4 when they're available. They've been shown but aren't for sale yet.

 

[ratirt]

The corsair ram is crap and should be avoided for Ryzen systems. Go with a good Team Dark Pro or GSkill Trident Z Neo kit.

While the Samsung 970 Pro is gen 3 you can sell them and upgrade to 980 pro gen 4 when they're available. They've been shown but aren't for sale yet.

IT is not crap. The 1st computer works without any problems. This one gives me hell and the memory modules work fine with the 1st one so it is not RAM memory that's causing the problem.

 

[Valantar]

Ok so I've got a different problem now. One is already running but the second one is giving me a hard time. It does not boot whatsoever.
I just hear a click coming from the power supply and it shuts down. The motherboard is lit and the GPU is powered. The motherboard has been changed and nothing. The memory also and power supply as well but still nothing (both worked with the 1st computer). The power cables are the same though so maybe that is the problem although rather slim chance. I didn't hook anything except the processor, GPU and memory.
It might be the chip. Any ideas?

Did you try reseating the CPU? Those massive LGA sockets can cause a lot of issues if they aren't aligned perfectly, or torqued down in quite the right way.

Well either way I need to give it a try and see how it will go. I do understand that the cooler is not rated for TR. If anything I will search for a chassis that you can fit liquid in it and go from there. I will have to do some tests and if it pans out ok then I will leave it. It will get an upgrade in time with cooling system that would be up for the task of cooling this monster. I need to find that chassis first.

It is rated for TR, just not for TR 3000 at 280W, and even the higher end 1000 and 2000-series parts get an annotation saying that adding a second fan "might" improve boost headroom.

 

[ratirt]

Did you try reseating the CPU? Those massive LGA sockets can cause a lot of issues if they aren't aligned perfectly, or torqued down in quite the right way.

Well the threadripper has this frame you slid the CPU in and you lock it in the socket. I've changed the motherboard with a brand new one and same problem. Not sure if there is any chance for mounting the processor incorrectly. It is definitely hardware issue. Wonder if the chip itself is faulty or the power supply cables (CPU power cables). Everything else is functional. These are the only two options that come to my mind.

Did you try reseating the CPU? Those massive LGA sockets can cause a lot of issues if they aren't aligned perfectly, or torqued down in quite the right way.

Just did it. Nothing.

 

[R0H1T]

These are the only two options that come to my mind.

Well did you try the CPUs in the other motherboard/case you have, ideally that should tell you if the other chip is bad or not?

 

[dgianstefani]

For

IT is not crap. The 1st computer works without any problems. This one gives me hell and the memory modules work fine with the 1st one so it is not RAM memory that's causing the problem.

K bud, memory notorious for instability in Ryzen systems isn't crap because one of your two systems turns on.

50% success rate must make you confident huh?

Why are you here?

 

[Valantar]

Well the threadripper has this frame you slid the CPU in and you lock it in the socket. I've changed the motherboard with a brand new one and same problem. Not sure if there is any chance for mounting the processor incorrectly. It is definitely hardware issue. Wonder if the chip itself is faulty or the power supply cables (CPU power cables). Everything else is functional. These are the only two options that come to my mind.

I know about the sled system - I did mention a few posts above that there's a TR system in my house, after all. Nonetheless, there's significant chance of faulty mounting for TR simply due to the sheer size of the chip. The multi-layer sled system and torque driver included in the box does alleviate this by quite a lot (though if you used any other screw driver it's not unlikely that mounting pressure is uneven and causing issues, so use the bundled one!) but there's still quite a good chance of things not working - from nonresponsive memory channels to the whole system not booting. Such is life with a >4000-pin LGA array.

Beyond that: try the seemingly faulty CPU in a known working motherboard, try the RAM from the known working system, etc. Having two identical systems where one is known to work should make troubleshooting this relatively easy (if time consuming).

 

[Chomiq]

You could always try to invest into this at some point:

IceGiant Cooling

IceGiantCooling

www.icegiantcooling.com

 

[Octavean]

I agree, try swapping the processors and RAM.

From your description though I immediately suspected the PSU. So you can try swapping the PSU as well.

As for cases, the Rosewill 4U case you linked to is a good case and one I considered buying myself. While I don’t have the Rosewill case I do have six of the Rosewill 4-bay hot-swap cages. Even if you didn’t install HDDs in the 4-bay hot-swap cages each one of them have a circuit boards that obstruct about half the area ( radius of 120mm) of the airflow. So while there will still be good airflow it isn’t totally unobstructed. Also there is no place to mount a 280mm or 360mm radiator for water cooling. You just can’t connect a radiator to the Rosewill 4-bay hot-swap cages, or at least I don’t see how one could outside of some janky field expedient method.

However, you might be able to find a third party 280mm or 360mm front mounting bracket as an adapter to retrofit such water cooling in cases that support front mounted 5.25” bays natively

 

[Sashleycat]

Nonetheless, there's significant chance of faulty mounting for TR simply due to the sheer size of the chip. The multi-layer sled system and torque driver included in the box does alleviate this by quite a lot (though if you used any other screw driver it's not unlikely that mounting pressure is uneven and causing issues, so use the bundled one!) but there's still quite a good chance of things not working - from nonresponsive memory channels to the whole system not booting. Such is life with a >4000-pin LGA array.

This is why I love the 3950X. HEDT-class performance, in the lovely & charming little AM4 socket that my fat, shakey fingers can just gently "drop" in.

 

[Octavean]

This is why I love the 3950X. HEDT-class performance, in the lovely & charming little AM4 socket that my fat, shakey fingers can just gently "drop" in.

AM4 reminds me of AMD’s Socket 939 Which seems like a throwback to 2004. Having some kind of physical retention mechanism, Metal preferably, is IMO ideal. There are a number of different ways to screw-up the CPU installation on AM4 but I guess you can’t have account for everything.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 3950X too. It’s a great processor on a great platform.

 

[Valantar]

AM4 reminds me of AMD’s Socket 939 Which seems like a throwback to 2004. Having some kind of physical retention mechanism, Metal preferably, is IMO ideal. There are a number of different ways to screw-up the CPU installation on AM4 but I guess you can’t have account for everything.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 3950X too. It’s a great processor on a great platform.

There are ways of screwing up anything. That being said, PGA is far more reliable than LGA - just don't get anything into the socket, and don't drop your CPU. Beyond that, undo the latch, check that the orientation is correct, and DO NOT USE FORCE when installing the CPU. If it doesn't drop in its not aligned correctly. While the notches on Intel's LGA sockets are nice to have as a guide, it's still far easier to damage something during installation on an LGA board than PGA.

 

[Octavean]

There are ways of screwing up anything. That being said, PGA is far more reliable than LGA - just don't get anything into the socket, and don't drop your CPU. Beyond that, undo the latch, check that the orientation is correct, and DO NOT USE FORCE when installing the CPU. If it doesn't drop in its not aligned correctly. While the notches on Intel's LGA sockets are nice to have as a guide, it's still far easier to damage something during installation on an LGA board than PGA.

Fair point and I don’t necessarily disagree but if given the choice I’d rather “accidentally” bend the pins on an LGA motherboard that likely cost less then pins on the processor that likely costs more.

So for example, the AMD RyZen 3950X at ~$750 likely costs more then the typical X570, X470 etc motherboards that support it. On the other hand Threadripper 3960X, 3970X and the upcoming 3990X processors are likely to cost orders of magnitude more then typical TRX40 motherboards,...motherboards that have the pins on the socket.

Naturally, no one wants to do damage to their hardware under any circumstances. If it’s going to happen though, I’d wager most of us would rather it happen on the cheaper part If it has to happen at all.

For the record, I’ve never done any damage to any hardware that I’ve worked on.

Anyway, I was only referring to the merits of a retention mechanism on the socket. With the old Socket 939 it was possible for the uninitiated to pull the CPU out of the socket when removing the cooling system. Easily avoidable I know but it requires some understanding of the possibility of such a thing happening.

 

[ratirt]

It is not the PSU since this one works so as the RAM memory which i have taken from the other working good threadripper. I have re-seated the processor twice but to no avail. I didn't hook up anything that would come in the way. I think it is the chip or the PSU cables since these were not swapped. I could try it with the other Threadripper but the problem is it's in the rack already and working. I need it and i really don't want to disassemble the working one.

Just to see if it sits well. I never had a threadripper so i didnt know the older versions have that too. I know that the slide-in way to mount the processor can be tricky but believe me I've tried many times and still get same thing not working. You can push on the CPU when it is in the socket with the clip pin frame and push on the cpu to see if it is well mounted.
Anyway, I'm not going for 3950X, becase I need the CPU to have more threads.

EDIT.
I've checked everything now. It has to be the CPU. I've tried to re-seat it several times with no luck. I will have to RMA it and see. Maybe I will get a replacement ASAP and problem will be solved.

Found the problem.
It was this small clip that got stock in the motherboard causing short circuit. Crap :/

 

[Octavean]

What is that clip for?

The rack mount?

Was it between the motherboard and the case?