new workstation spec

[minohejl]

Hi folks,

...after a few years with VRay I would LOVE to switch to Corona. I also need to buy a new comp and not sure about the best hardware specification for a budget around 2000-2500Euro
Could you please advise?
Thanks a lot

Michal

[vansan]

I think it would fit in your budget of 2500 euro.

CPU - AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 766,30 €
CPU cooling - NZXT Kraken X72 175,81 €.
Case - Fractal Design Define S 70,42 €
MB - ASRock X399 TAICHI 278,15 €
any compatible DDR4 Memory 64Gb (4x16) 466,39 €
Videcard - 1050Ti 4Gb or higher 162,94 €
Power - Corsair RMi Series RM1000i PFC 80+ Gold modular 1000 Watt 140,25 €
HDD's and SSD's for your choise. ~300 €

This build can be upgraded for 32-core processor.

[minohejl]

Thanks vansan!

[Juraj]

I would adjust few things:

-NZXT Kraken: Yes this works, but it works suboptimally (esp. for such high price) because the CPU block doesn't cover the full heatspreader of the CPU. Threadripper has multiple dies and thus massive heatspreader. Right now, the only available on the market water AIO is Thermaltake LiqTech II but even that is reported to have leaking issues. In meantime, the 16-core Threadripper is more than sufficing to work with high-end air cooler like Noctua UH-14 tr4.

-Threadripper benefits a lot of from fast memory in certain tasks. Corona sadly being one of it from my tests. I would look for memory no lesser than 2666 but not higher than 2933 (3000) as more than that isn't working anyway for four dimms and 64gb capacity.

-I would get GPU with 8GB of vram. 3dsMax very easily eats up GPU memory if you open large enough scene with viewport displayed textures. After 3dsMax runs out of GPU memory, the performance drastically falters to unusable stale. Get second hand if must to reach the budget, but get a card with this amount. GTX 1070 for example.

[Luke]

what other x399 motherboards would you recommend?
both suppliers that I use don't have the Taichi....??

[Juraj]

If you plan to use any Threadripper other than 2970WX & 2990WX it doesn't matter. Find the cheapest you can get locally.

[Luke]

-Threadripper benefits a lot of from fast memory in certain tasks. Corona sadly being one of it from my tests. I would look for memory no lesser than 2666 but not higher than 2933 (3000) as more than that isn't working anyway for four dimms and 64gb capacity.

can you break this down into more layman's terms? would it matter if you loaded 3200Mhz RAM? or is it just that it doesn't benefit from it?

[Juraj]

The memory controller doesn't handle it. The more module capacity (16GB vs 8GB modules), Rank (Dual vs Single), amount of modules (8 vs 4) and total capacity (64 to 128GB), all this increases the load and becomes unstable at higher frequency/speed.

2933 MHz is the highest stable frequency for Threadripper with 64+ GB capacity in either 8x8GB or 4x16GB. Same for 128GB which requires 8x16GB. And this is with the most compatible QVL approved Samsung B-die ram,etc..
So there is no need to waste money buying faster memory because it will not run stable above this frequency.

Sure you can run 4000 if you go with two 4GB modules, but that is scenario outside of our use.

[Luke]

The memory controller doesn't handle it. The more module capacity (16GB vs 8GB modules), Rank (Dual vs Single), amount of modules (8 vs 4) and total capacity (64 to 128GB), all this increases the load and becomes unstable at higher frequency/speed.

2933 MHz is the highest stable frequency for Threadripper with 64+ GB capacity in either 8x8GB or 4x16GB. Same for 128GB which requires 8x16GB. And this is with the most compatible QVL approved Samsung B-die ram,etc..
So there is no need to waste money buying faster memory because it will not run stable above this frequency.

Sure you can run 4000 if you go with two 4GB modules, but that is scenario outside of our use.

great, thanks man!

[Luke]

Further to this in a build with the Gigabyte Aorus Extreme x399 MB and the TR 2950x would there be any detriment in using 3200Mhz RAM?
The supplier I'm using for the build doesn't have any thing on the QVL in 2666-3000Mhz...

Thanks for your help it's greatly appreciated!

[relox]

I would recomend NZXT KRAKEN 62 Im using it on an THREAD RIPPER 2950X and it gets at 3.8 ghz at 60°C and fan blowing air feels normal not too hot or cold and its really silent at 71% working fans i usually works when everybody are sleeping hahah.

[relox]

The NZXT doesnt feet all the thread ripper but thats not a problem because cpu dies doesnt require to be covered for disipation only the center of the cores where the energy consuption are taking place.

[Juraj]

The NZXT doesnt feet all the thread ripper but thats not a problem because cpu dies doesnt require to be covered for disipation only the center of the cores where the energy consuption are taking place.

That's a good as theory, works reasonably ok for Intel, and now have a look at Threadripper cooling benchamarks ;- ). Completely different story.
I am happy it works for you but it is suboptimal product.

Further to this in a build with the Gigabyte Aorus Extreme x399 MB and the TR 2950x would there be any detriment in using 3200Mhz RAM?
The supplier I'm using for the build doesn't have any thing on the QVL in 2666-3000Mhz...

Thanks for your help it's greatly appreciated!

No detriment. At best, with upcoming AGESA updates, maybe you will get it to work at @3200. At worst, you will simply set the clocks to 2933 in bios.
If the price is ok, there is no problem with it.

[Bienez]

CPU - AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 766,30 €
MB - ASRock X399 TAICHI 278,15 €

Sorry for the hijack, but was just wondering where you're even able to find those particular parts at such a low price?? I'm browsing the www the last couple of days, and never been able to find them even close to the range as described here.

[Juraj]

CPU - AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 766,30 €
MB - ASRock X399 TAICHI 278,15 €

Sorry for the hijack, but was just wondering where you're even able to find those particular parts at such a low price?? I'm browsing the www the last couple of days, and never been able to find them even close to the range as described here.

Either south-east Asia, USA, or it's without VAT :- ). I would say the second.

You can always double check with biggest hardware aggregator in EU: https://geizhals.eu/amd-ryzen-threadripper-2950x-yd295xa8afwof-a1867615.html