Thoughts on new Threadripper 2950X build?

[Bienez]

Hi,

A couple of months ago I opened a new thread (CLICK) here on the forums, asking for advice on building my very first 'real' workstation. As a Mac user - and overall PC n00b - figuring all of this computer stuff out myself wasn't the easiest task in the world.

The reason I'm opening a new thread is because of the fact that I decided to downgrade my budget. I was a bit too optimistic previously and didn't really kept in mind that I also had to invest in other external hardware such as decent monitors and stuff. Also, new software isn't free either :)

Definitely check out my initial thread if you're looking for info on building a workstation with a 4k-5k budget! Juraj, among others, posted some great 'tips & tricks' to help you get started.

Anywayz, after deciding to downgrade my budget I started reading a lot of the more recent similar threads here on the forum. I think I might have come up with a build, so here it goes:

- CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
- CPU cooling: Noctua - NH-U14S TR4-SP3 140.2 CFM
- Motherboard: ASRock - X399 Taichi ATX TR4
- Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3000
- Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
- Video card: NVIDIA - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11 GB Founders Edition
- PSU: Corsair - CXM 750 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX
- Case: Fractal Design - Define S ATX Mid Tower Case

A rough estimation of the total cost would be around 3105 Euro (2450 taxes deducted) for now, but I'm sure it could be slightly lower after searching a bit more thorough.

Overall opinion on this? Will this all work well together?

Some more questions that I would like to know/am not sure of:

* This kind of build will give me the option to potentially in the future upgrade from 64 to 128GB in memory, right?

* Reading through some recent topics (FOR EXAMPLE) where the conclusion is that the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is still a very good video card, worth the money. So I reckon it's a good bet to go with this one? Also, how many of these can I fit into this build if I would like to experiment with some GPU rendering in the future (potentially)?

Another thing regarding the video card; is there a big difference in quality in buying the Nvidia version, or for example buying the Gigabyte version? The latter one I found for around 730 Euro online.

* Regarding the PSU... What does this even really mean? Would 750W be enough, do I have to go higher,... ? What's the difference between all of these numbers? I have absolutely no clue about this I'm afraid! :D

* Regarding the motherboard; would there potentially be a reason to go for a cheaper one that's more or less equally good, or just stick with this one?

* Will one CPU cooler be enough?

* Is the case sufficiently ventilated? And will there be some room left for an extra CPU cooler (if necessary) and/or video card(s)?

ALSO: if there are any tips on specific webshops (I'm from Belgium) and/or other do's and don'ts on buying all of the parts, please shoot! Again... This is a brand new world to me! :D

I think that's it for now. Curious about the feedback!

Thanks in advance!

[Juraj]

Hey,

few of my notes:

1) Good choice on CPU&Board on budget. Now if you want to squeeze even more of a budget, you could go for older 1950X. It has worse single-core turbo but still great. You could potentially save up to 350+ Euro if you would shop around.
    If you can find cheaper board around you can go with that one but I doubt you'll be able to save much and this is excellent board due to layout and performance.

2)With your board, you will be able to use 4x dual slot GPUs if you never decide to use 10Gbit lan card which would occupy and block one slot. I consider 1080Ti indeed better for general use as 11GB Vram is much better benefit than weak RTX cores of 2080(non-Ti). But if you would ever decided to go GPU route, I would instead sell then 1080ti and get 2080ti rather than add another 1080ti. I would not bother with GPU rendering though unless you have budget for at least 2-3 of 2080ti alone, GPU rendering is not faster without considerable GPU resources.

3). For 1950X and 1080ti, you would be fine on 750W. Overclocked 1950X might reach up to 250W and 1080Ti 300W. But it's always good to have reserve and have PSU run at lower load (where it can even run semi-passive mode). Bronze/Gold/Silver/Platinum/Titanium denotes efficency, but also build quality and features (like cable modularity). Even for budget builds, it's good to have solid PSU for workstation. It's one of the most important parts in terms of overall system stability.

If you want to save money, EVGA SuperNova G3 (Gold) is good budget option. You can buy 850W version of it if you plan to stay with single GPU, or buy 1000W if you think you might ever add second GPU in future.

4) Define S is nice case. It comes with 2x140mm fans already, which are not the best or most silent but they are ok. I would place both of these in front (or one front, one bottom), and buy one more Noctua A14 PWM into back as exhaust fan.

[Bienez]

Thanks again for your feedback, Juraj!

I think I will stick with the 2950X and the proposed motherboard. The 2950X seems to be a bit more 'up to date', so not a problem to pay a bit more for it.

With your board, you will be able to use 4x dual slot GPUs if you never decide to use 10Gbit lan card which would occupy and block one slot. I consider 1080Ti indeed better for general use as 11GB Vram is much better benefit than weak RTX cores of 2080(non-Ti). But if you would ever decided to go GPU route, I would instead sell then 1080ti and get 2080ti rather than add another 1080ti. I would not bother with GPU rendering though unless you have budget for at least 2-3 of 2080ti alone, GPU rendering is not faster without considerable GPU resources.

Nice to read that the motherboard allows some extra GPU slots. Though it's definitely not for the near future that I will potentially add one or more of them, it's nice to have the capability to do so in case I would like to play around with GPU rendering.

Regarding the 1080ti, would THIS one by Asus be a good bet? In my previous thread you wrote that it didn't really matter which brand you pick, and overall you mostly go for the cheapest one. So I presume the Asus one, for example, will do the trick?

For 1950X and 1080ti, you would be fine on 750W

And what about the 2950X + 1080ti, will 750W still be okay for that? If so, the Corsair one that I proposed in my initial post will do the trick?

Or maybe I'll go for 1000W to begin with (Corsair version, or the one you suggested), just to be safe when adding perhaps an extra video card in the future. Have to think about it.

Define S is nice case. It comes with 2x140mm fans already, which are not the best or most silent but they are ok. I would place both of these in front (or one front, one bottom), and buy one more Noctua A14 PWM into back as exhaust fan.

So just to be sure... So you mean buy one Noctua A14 PWM extra on top of the 2 fans that come with the case, or extra on top of the 2 fans AND the one I initially suggested (Noctua - NH-U14S TR4-SP3 140.2 CFM)? :D

Thanks again! I think it's time to start buying the parts now, hehe!

[Juraj]

Yes, 750W would be fine 1950X/2950X are interchangeable.

I am slightly confused about your fan question... we're talking fans purely. NH-U14 is not fan, it's CPU cooler, unit that consists of big aluminium heatsink, and one additional active fan that comes with it (for U14S it's 140mm 1500RPM A15 PWM). The case comes with two 140mm (non-PWM) Fractal fans. Those are good for airflow intake, and I suggested to buy one more A14 (140mm 1500RPM) fan from Noctua, to act as exhaust in rear case.

For 1080ti there really was only one terrible version and that was from Gigabyte, the entry level with insufficient cooling. The Asus is good one. It's single fan exhaust version, which means it's louder but keeps the case cooler (benefits CPU overclock).
I would find one for <700 Euros, not more (VAT included).

Btw if you don't plan on GPU rendering at all (Including Unreal, etc..), you can stick with something much cheaper, like GTX 1070 (8GB). And maybe swap to 2970X CPU. It's good to focus, unless budget is high get the hardware that will let you do your job the best with your current engine.

[Bienez]

Yes, 750W would be fine 1950X/2950X are interchangeable.

Cool! Might still consider going for 1000W eventually, but definitely good to know that 750W will do the trick as well.

I am slightly confused about your fan question... we're talking fans purely. NH-U14 is not fan, it's CPU cooler, unit that consists of big aluminium heatsink, and one additional active fan that comes with it (for U14S it's 140mm 1500RPM A15 PWM). The case comes with two 140mm (non-PWM) Fractal fans. Those are good for airflow intake, and I suggested to buy one more A14 (140mm 1500RPM) fan from Noctua, to act as exhaust in rear case.

Hehe, sorry for the confusion! :D But I think I understand what you mean now! So regarding CPU cooling & fans this is what I should buy?:

- 1x Noctua - NH-U14S
- 2x fan that come with the case
- 1x extra Noctua A14 PWM as back exhaust

Btw if you don't plan on GPU rendering at all (Including Unreal, etc..), you can stick with something much cheaper, like GTX 1070 (8GB). And maybe swap to 2970X CPU. It's good to focus, unless budget is high get the hardware that will let you do your job the best with your current engine.

I might dabble around with some GPU stuff in the future, so better be safe than sorry. Since it's my first decent workstation, I might as well go for something 'bigger' to begin with :D

Thanks btw on the 1080ti advice, now I know to avoid the Gigabyte version. Will use the weekend to 'shop around' on the www, and see where to find the best deals.

Deciding on the build + buying the parts is one thing... Assembling everything together will be a whole different story I'm afraid! :D Luckily I have some friends that can hopefully help me with all of this. Neverheless, very much looking forward to it!

[Juraj]

Building x399 system is comparatively quite easy, AMD made sure no one could fuck up anything in process, like bending pins on super expensive CPU :- ). There is sturdy plastic socket into which you place the CPU first, it's all really nice and smooth.

But definitely get a friend if it's your first time :- ). I have pedantic friend who helps me with lot of this, people who have steady hand and patience are invaluable.

Have fun !

[Bienez]

Thanks Juraj! I'm sure it will turn out fine :D

Will keep this thread updated with my eventual final build, and of course a picture of the assembled result.

But I'm sure in the meantime there will be a lot more questions coming from me as well, hehe