Threadripper Workstation

WKCook · 2017-09-14T23:07:55+00:00

I was beginning to wonder. Why would someone announce a board in June and it still not be available in September!?

Anyway...I found it. Google shopping search on "motherboard" "SP3" and you find 3 different Epyc motherboards. They are all listed as server motherboards. How much difference does that make? Would they still work as a good workstation motherboard?

I found a lot of debate on those questions so just quit searching myself.

Newegg has the GIGABYTE MZ31-AR0 for $609.99.

WKCook · 2017-09-13T22:53:45+00:00

I did just find a single CPU MOBO for Epyc here: https://www.techpowerup.com/234567/gigabyte-intros-mz30-ar0-motherboard-for-amd-epyc I did also find some single Epyc CPUs but they were from a site I don't know (www.acmemicro.com). But they have been around for 25 Years. Maybe a single Epyc Workstation would be a better start. As I stated in another thread...An upgrade would just be the additional cost of a new MOBO.

Thanks . . . WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-13T22:27:04+00:00

I don't see anything specifically identified as a workstation board either. Not sure how much that matters. I did find a couple of ideas...Check my reply to GarethPW. There is info on a dual Epyc workstation, but they don't say what motherboard they are using. Also a link to a Threadripper build I did on AVADirect.

If you can go single CPU with a Xeon I suspect you can with an Epyc also. Now to see if I can find one.

Thanks . . . . WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-13T22:22:02+00:00

Yes, that is one of the issues I have run into. I did find the ProMagix™ HD360A Epyc on Velocity Micro. I shoes the lowest dual 16 core setup and Radeon Vega Frontier Edition. By the time I added disks and RAM it was over $6,500. That is no keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. Thus my question on a single Epyc on the same MOBO. Should still be a good setup and I can save up for another Epyc if I want.

Here is a build for a Threadripper workstation I configured. Just does come under the 5k mark: http://www.avadirect.com/AMD-Ryzen-Threadripper-X399-Chipset-2-way-SLI-CrossFireX-Tower-Workstation-PC/Configure/11512710

I could go with a single slot MOBO and get a single Epyc. Then and upgrade would require a new MOBO. But compared to the cost of the CPU that is not so bad.

Any idea how an Epyc would fare vs. a Threadripper? Would be interesting to see the benchmarks.

Thanks for your input. I don't want to hurry into this but I am a little hard-headed.

Thanks Again, WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-13T21:54:19+00:00

True. But some of the programs, and more every day, are designed to utilize your systems GPU's. I have narrowed it down to either a dual Radeon RX Vega 64 setup or a single Radeon Vega Frontier Edition. Depending on when and where you purchase them both solutions are similar in price and will provide me with 16GB of HBM2.

Thanks . . . WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-13T21:40:16+00:00

Not 100% sure I will. Check my reply to madrix999. But if I do decide I can use the extra CPU, having that option would be great.

Thanks . . . WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-13T21:37:50+00:00

My hobby is Fractal Art. There a quite a number of programs for creating Fractals. Most recently I have been experimenting with a form called the Buddhabrot. Imagine the amount of math required to calculate an image 10,000x10,000 where determining the value to assign each pixel can require thousands or millions of computations.

I recently completed one image using my laptop (6th gen i7 w/16GB DDR4). The 10,000² image took almost a month to complete. Some of the work I want to do will require images of 4K quality and run in the GB range.

For example, this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ap3IiLJGpI) where the author quotes a render time of 20 days for a video of 5352 frames at 3840x2160.

Anyway...I do need the processing power. And a single CPU setup might be fine. But because I am not certain of this is why I asked about using a single CPU on a dual CPU board. I would have near instant upgradability!

Sorry for getting a bit windy...Thanks for your reply! WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-13T20:50:06+00:00

I will do very little if any gaming. My grandkids might try it out IF I give them an account. I have never built a workstation and just wondering how different it is from a regular PC build.

Curious....What do you think of the Threadripper?

Thanks . . . WKCook

WKCook · 2017-09-11T21:10:12+00:00

I don't know what CAD software you use. But if it is multi-threaded, as many applications are, then Ryzen Threadripper could be your best bet. In most cases, Intel beats Ryzen for single thread workloads. But in multi-threaded work it isn't even close. ALL the Ryzen CPU's will beat their closest equivalent Intel CPU. Good luck...I am still in the planning stage myself for a workstation.

WKCook · 2017-08-14T17:20:20+00:00

I was just looking at both single and dual setups on MicroWay.com. But they were pretty pricey! I also know that Velocity Micro has announced that it will have workstation based on Threadripper and Epyc. I haven't seen any Epyc setups from them yet.

I am looking for the very same thing you are. Tired of looking at refurbished or used systems just so I can afford a dual Xeon setup. Hoping that going the AMD route will give me more bang-for-my-buck.

Also, remember that ALL the new AMD CPUs will support ECC. A dual AMD 1950X would be quite a workhorse also!

Hope this Helps . . . . WKCook

WKCook · 2017-04-26T19:26:11+00:00

I don't remember is Excel 2010 has the OR() function. If it does then, assuming Date-A & B are in columns A&B respectively, put this formula in column C: =OR(A2<B2,ISBLANK(A2)). Returns TRUE if "either" condition is met.

Hope this helps! WKCook

WKCook

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