New EPYC crunching build

[HammerON]

So I have the "I haven't spent money on building a new computer for a while" bug and am looking at possibly building an AMD EPYC build for the purpose of crunching. I most likely will be selling my i7 6900 build to help fund this endeavor (if I actually talk myself into it).

I have very limited experience building a server platform and so I will rely on the experts for their advice.

What I am currently looking at is:

CPU: AMD EPYC 7401P 24 Core2.0 GHz $1,149.00
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113466&cm_re=amd_epyc_cpu-_-19-113-466-_-Product

Motherboard: Supermicro H11SSL-I Socket SP3 $383.99
https://www.cdw.com/product/SUPERMICRO-MB-H11SSL-I-AMD-1TB-DDR4/4947034
OR
Gigabyte MZ31-ARO SP3 $649.00
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813145034&cm_re=sp3_motherboard-_-13-145-034-_-Product

RAM: Motherboards states DDR4 SDRAM 2666 MHz ECC Registered – suggestions as to how many GB for a crunching rig?
Maybe one or two sticks of these: Corsair 16GB DDR4 2666 MHz RDIMM $214.99 (each)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1308204-REG/crucial_ct16g4rfd8266_16gb_ddr4_pc4_21300_cl19.html

Power Supply: Either my Corsair AX1200 or a new power supply with two EPS CPU 8 pin connectors if I choose not to use the AX1200

CPU Cooler: Would like to water cool as I normally do on my builds. Haven't looked at water blocks yet. I did just read the article about EK's issue with their original EPYC water blocks...

Video Card: Either the EVGA 980 Ti or the ATI 3650

Operating system: Suggestions for crunching (possibly gaming) on a server platform with 24 cores…

Now I have not been playing really any games for about a year, but I intend to get back into it soon. So I do not know whether it would be better to put Windows 10 back on the E5 2683 build and put the 980 Ti in it, or do I try to make this new build a gaming/crunching build? Is it even worth it to do so on a server platform?

 

[Boatvan]

I don't have advice for specific build questions, but it would be sweet to see what kind of crunching you could get done on there! I use Ubuntu 16 on one of my servers and Windows Server 2016 on the other (both are crunchers). I'd say for cost savings, a linux distro works fine. I myself do not see many differences in performance between the two.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Not much experience in server builds sorry. Nor in crunching.... sorry again however I would say you will likely run into less issues gaming on the Asrock X99 Extreme than you will on a server build, afaik crunching isn't all that RAM intensive so you would save some money sticking with the single 16GB stick as opposed to 2x16GB ECC RAM, that would be my suggestion and always easily upgradeable in the future. And with the motherboard, do you need SAS and or 10GB ethernet like the GB board sports or would SATA3 and 1GB ethernet suffice (both also have an M2 slot)? if the latter go with the SM board, 16GB RAM and gaming on your Asrock X99 Extreme, E5 2683 v3 in my humble opinion.

Some serious HW there either way you look at it

 

[Boatvan]

Just to clarify, crunching only really uses CPU power. If it was a straight crunching rig, I'd "skimp" on things like network card (WCG sends/receives results periodically and the uploads/downloads are relatively small so 1 Gig is fine), storage (only need enough space for the OS, client, and crunching tasks. Also, WCG is not read/write intensive), and memory.

But to game also, I'd spec those accordingly.

Legitimate question, are today's games optimized to benefit from that many threads?

 

[phanbuey]

Legitimate question, are today's games optimized to benefit from that many threads?

No they are generally not. Also server OS is super picky with graphics card drivers, so if you don't have a ws card your dreams of gaming and or multi-monitor will be over quickly.

if you want a super cruncher epyc server might be the way to go but it will suck in games. Might want to build the cruncher box, and then have a gaming box, and rdp into the cruncher box over the home network if you need anything from it.

 

[HammerON]

Well I went ahead and ordered an AMD EPYC 7401P from Newegg and the RAM from B&H Photo and Video. Sadly it appears I may have to wait on the RAM as I missed where it said "Expected availability in 7-14 days". I am going to give them a call to see what the deal is.
I had a hard time finding the Supermirco motherboard I wanted, but finally found it available through ACME Micro Systems. Never heard of them, so we will see...

Now I need to find a CPU cooler. I couldn't really find a water block, so I may have to go air after all. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

I think I am going to install Linux on the new system and put Windows 10 back on the E5 system (it is running Linux right now). I am also going to put the Samsung 960 Pro in the E5 system. Then switch the GTX 980 Ti to the E5 system and put the ATI 3650 in the new one. Will probably switch PSU's around as well.

I will update with pictures once items arrive...

 

[jboydgolfer]

Sadly it appears I may have to wait on the RAM as I missed where it said "Expected availability in 7-14 days

If there's a different type of RAM on their site that you would take in place of the "out of stock" sticks that you already ordered, I'd recommend contacting them(if you havent). I've dealt with them on a few occasions through email ,and they're really reasonable folks, a really great company , I recommend them whenever I have a chance to .


I wish I had the expendable funds to build a computer like this, super jealous

 

[HammerON]

Called them and they cancelled the order. I was able to place an order for two sticks of Crucial 16GB DDR4 2400 MHz RDIMM that they did have in stock.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Called them and they cancelled the order. I was able to place an order for two sticks of Crucial 16GB DDR4 2400 MHz RDIMM that they did have in stock.

I'm happy it worked out for you, good luck with the remainder of the build, gonna be a beast

 

[infrared]

This will be awesome! Enjoy the build

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Sorry that I didn't answer earlier...

suggestions as to how many GB for a crunching rig?

~1/2 GB per thread

put the ATI 3650 in the new one

Motherboard has built in VGA.

 

[xkm1948]

Plot twist, OP discovered EPYC’s insane Monero mining capability and joined the dark mining side. @R-T-B

 

[R-T-B]

Plot twist, OP discovered EPYC’s insane Monero mining capability and joined the dark mining side. @R-T-B

Contribute your earnings to charity and you can still be a jedi.

 

[HammerON]

Sorry that I didn't answer earlier...

~1/2 GB per thread

Motherboard has built in VGA.

Oh - I missed that. I see it now. Thanks!

Plot twist, OP discovered EPYC’s insane Monero mining capability and joined the dark mining side. @R-T-B

More interested in helping science find a cure for cancer

EDIT: I did email EK about a water block and am waiting for their reply.

 

[HammerON]

Received an email back from EK and they state they are about a month out from making their new Threadripper/EPYC water blocks available to purchase. So it looks like I will go with an XSPC Raystorm:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/xspc-raystorm-neo-amd-str4-threadripper-metal.html

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Enermax LIQTECH TR4?

 

[HammerON]

I am going to be re-using my trusty D5 variable pump and EK 360 Rad that is currently in use in the 6900K build. I was thinking of upgrading to PETG tubing instead the soft tubing, but I do not want to have to invest in new fittings.
I looked at getting an all-in-one liquid cooling solution, but since I have everything but the water block, might as well do it right

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Legitimate question, are today's games optimized to benefit from that many threads?

Not really, no. But what he could do is have WCG use like 20 of the cores/threads and leave the other 4c/8t to gaming via windows affinity.

 

[phill]

Very interested in this.... Can not wait to see it up and running

 

[Caring1]

Any update on this?