Help newbie with a AMD TR 3970X build

[Martin Cohen]

Hey guys,

 

I'm trying to put together a build with AMD TR 3970x from the components available in my country (although for some cases I'd be open to order from abroad). I'm not looking for overclocking just yet, I'm looking for minimizing maintenance and maximizing stability as this is a workstation I'd use 8-12 hours a day and it often needs to run overnight (video encoding, rendering, long run tests for software I write etc.). Current configuration looks like this:

 

• CPU:
  • AMD RYZEN Threadripper 3970X
  • NZXT Kraken X72
• Mother Board:
  • ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme
• GPU:
  • MSI GeForce RTX 2070 Super Gaming X
• Storage:
  • HyperX 64GB (4x16) 3200 DDR4 CL16 Predator
  • 2x ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro SSD 1TB
• Power:
  • Corsair HX1000i
• Case:
  • Fractal Design Define R6 Blackout Tempered Glass

I'm particularly worried about:

1. Power supply: Should I go for HX1200i or HX1200?
2. Cooling: Should I go for something different? Would Cooler Master Wraith Ripper be a good option (it's in stock)?
3. Memory: If I'd need something better I'd have to order from other e-shop or from abroad, HyperX Predator seems to be the top option available here. Should I go for something else?

Although I do want as little price-based compromises as possible, I kinda don't want to go too crazy (and perhaps plan an upgrade later).

 

It would be awesome if you'd find a bit of time to validate and perhaps comment on what I can do better.

 

[GabrielFerrazTPU]

4 minutes ago, Martin Cohen said:

Hey guys,

 

I'm trying to put together a build with AMD TR 3970x from the components available in my country (although for some cases I'd be open to order from abroad). I'm not looking for overclocking just yet, I'm looking for minimizing maintenance and maximizing stability as this is a workstation I'd use 8-12 hours a day and it often needs to run overnight (video encoding, rendering, long run tests for software I write etc.). Current configuration looks like this:

 

• CPU:
  • AMD RYZEN Threadripper 3970X
  • NZXT Kraken X72
• Mother Board:
  • ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme
• GPU:
  • MSI GeForce RTX 2070 Super Gaming X
• Storage:
  • HyperX 64GB (4x16) 3200 DDR4 CL16 Predator
  • 2x ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro SSD 1TB
• Power:
  • Corsair HX1000i
• Case:
  • Fractal Design Define R6 Blackout Tempered Glass

I'm particularly worried about:

1. Power supply: Should I go for HX1200i or HX1200?
2. Cooling: Should I go for something different? Would Cooler Master Wraith Ripper be a good option (it's in stock)?
3. Memory: If I'd need something better I'd have to order from other e-shop or from abroad, HyperX Predator seems to be the top option available here. Should I go for something else?

Although I do want as little price-based compromises as possible, I kinda don't want to go too crazy (and perhaps plan an upgrade later).

 

It would be awesome if you'd find a bit of time to validate and perhaps comment on what I can do better.

 

Hello and Welcome to the LTT Forum.

 

First of all, depending on what kind of software you might want to use i'd be better to get a cheaper CPU and a better GPU, for example, did you considered a 3950X(AM4 Socket) with a X570 + RTX 2080/2080S?

 

About the PSU the H1200 is a newer model compared to the 1200i.

About the RAM, have you checked the Trident Z NEO from G.Skill? They have an amazing 3600 CL14 kit.

[Martin Cohen]

3 minutes ago, GabrielLP14 said:

Hello and Welcome to the LTT Forum.

 

First of all, depending on what kind of software you might want to use i'd be better to get a cheaper CPU and a better GPU, for example, did you considered a 3950X(AM4 Socket) with a X570 + RTX 2080/2080S?

 

About the PSU the H1200 is a newer model compared to the 1200i.

About the RAM, have you checked the Trident Z NEO from G.Skill? They have an amazing 3600 CL14 kit.

Thanks for the welcome

 

I would like to upgrade GPU to something better and memory (to 128GB) sometime next year. This GPU is already at 195% compared to one I have now, so it's a reasonable upgrade. I'm now heavily bound to CPU performance which is problem no. 1. If you'd recommend a better GPU, what would it be?

 

Regarding the RAM, is there a variant of Trident Z NEO that's 4x32GB with CL14? As that's the only way I can be in sweet spot of TR's specs. I had a bit hard time finding it. I'll check availability of 4x16GB. Thanks. 

[FloRolf]

I wouldn't get a Zenith unless you really need some of the features. 

[GabrielFerrazTPU]

7 minutes ago, Martin Cohen said:

Thanks for the welcome

 

I would like to upgrade GPU to something better and memory (to 128GB) sometime next year. This GPU is already at 195% compared to one I have now, so it's a reasonable upgrade. I'm now heavily bound to CPU performance which is problem no. 1. If you'd recommend a better GPU, what would it be?

 

Regarding the RAM, is there a variant of Trident Z NEO that's 4x32GB with CL14? As that's the only way I can be in sweet spot of TR's specs. I had a bit hard time finding it. I'll check availability of 4x16GB. Thanks. 

Even for video editing, you won't need 128GB. Its a waste of money. You should spend your money where it actually makes a different.

I don't think the Trident Z Neo has 32GB DIMMS, maybe only 16GBs.

 

Try looking for some test renders comparing the 3950X against your old Threadripper.

Just by going in a 3950X you can save a lot of maney and get a much better GPU.

If you want i can give you some recommendation in what to buy

[mariushm]

For video editing, 3950x would be a better deal than Threadripper.

 

If you insist on Threadripper, you don't really need 1200 watts of power. The cpu will peak at around 400 watts, and the rest won't consume more than 300w, so a 850w psu would be doable, and 1000w perfectly fine.

 

The 3950x will probably go up to 250w.

 

I agree with everyone, no need for 128 GB of memory, you can do 64 GB of pretty much any x570 board.

 

[Martin Cohen]

44 minutes ago, GabrielLP14 said:

Even for video editing, you won't need 128GB. Its a waste of money. You should spend your money where it actually makes a different.

I don't think the Trident Z Neo has 32GB DIMMS, maybe only 16GBs.

 

Try looking for some test renders comparing the 3950X against your old Threadripper.

Just by going in a 3950X you can save a lot of maney and get a much better GPU.

If you want i can give you some recommendation in what to buy

Sure, I'd love to have stuff recommended.

[Martin Cohen]

26 minutes ago, mariushm said:

For video editing, 3950x would be a better deal than Threadripper.

 

If you insist on Threadripper, you don't really need 1200 watts of power. The cpu will peak at around 400 watts, and the rest won't consume more than 300w, so a 850w psu would be doable, and 1000w perfectly fine.

 

The 3950x will probably go up to 250w.

 

I agree with everyone, no need for 128 GB of memory, you can do 64 GB of pretty much any x570 board.

 

Alright. I'll stay on 64, see how it goes. It's a possible upgrade for next year, so I'll have plenty of time testing it out.

 

Thanks a lot for the answer.

[Martin Cohen]

50 minutes ago, FloRolf said:

I wouldn't get a Zenith unless you really need some of the features. 

Yeah, since I'm new to this I basically grabbed whatever had the best reviews, as I'm not feeling confident in stripping features down and finding an optimal configuration.

[GabrielFerrazTPU]

12 minutes ago, Martin Cohen said:

Alright. I'll stay on 64, see how it goes. It's a possible upgrade for next year, so I'll have plenty of time testing it out.

 

Thanks a lot for the answer.

Sure no problem. So you're from US?

How much are you willing to spend?

You need a CPU, MOBO, RAM, COOLER, CASE, GPU?

HD and SSD also? 

[Martin Cohen]

20 minutes ago, GabrielLP14 said:

Sure no problem. So you're from US?

How much are you willing to spend?

You need a CPU, MOBO, RAM, COOLER, CASE, GPU?

HD and SSD also? 

I'm not from US, I'm from EU.

The current setup I have in the cart is 5600 USD, which is ok. Can go higher, but if that could be done as additional upgrade next year, it would be better.

I need to buy everything, nothing I have here can be reused.

HDD I'm not using as much, I have a NAS for long-term storage. SSD I usually have three: 1TB for system (Windows), 2TB for my data, 1TB as scratch. But I was not sure whether Zenith 2 will allow for 3x m.2 so I've only ordered 2, might buy another one eventually.

 

 

[GabrielFerrazTPU]

1 minute ago, Martin Cohen said:

I'm not from US, I'm from EU.

The current setup I have in the cart is 5600 USD, which is ok. Can go higher, but if that could be done as additional upgrade next year, it would be better.

I need to buy everything, nothing I have here can be reused.

HDD I'm not using as much, I have a NAS for long-term storage. SSD I usually have three: 1TB for system (Windows), 2TB for my data, 1TB as scratch. But I was not sure whether Zenith 2 will allow for 3x m.2 so I've only ordered 2, might buy another one eventually.

 

 

Which web site are you used to buying stuffs? Since i'm not from EU, i don't know many. Amazon?

[Martin Cohen]

4 minutes ago, GabrielLP14 said:

Which web site are you used to buying stuffs? Since i'm not from EU, i don't know many. Amazon?

I'm using local e-shop, but I can go Amazon too. If you'd provide a config I can check availability on local e-shops or on Amazon and order in batches.

[GabrielFerrazTPU]

33 minutes ago, Martin Cohen said:

I'm using local e-shop, but I can go Amazon too. If you'd provide a config I can check availability on local e-shops or on Amazon and order in batches.

Check this current Config(PS: I don't Know what kind of Currency that is)

Ryzen 9 3950X 16C/32T 3.7GHz - 22.990

RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X TRIO MSI - 35.600

2 x 32GB 3200MHz CL16 - 8398

GIGABYTE X570 AORUS MASTER - 10.700

PSU Corsair HX-850i - 4900

SAMSUNG EVO 970 - 3300

SAMSUNG QVO 2TB - 6800

 

The case i'll leave it to you.

 

PS: I'm sorry if this pass by a lot your budget, but i have no freaking idea what currency that is.

[Martin Cohen]

10 minutes ago, GabrielLP14 said:

Check this current Config(PS: I don't Know what kind of Currency that is)

Ryzen 9 3950X 16C/32T 3.7GHz - 22.990

RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X TRIO MSI - 35.600

2 x 32GB 3200MHz CL16 - 8398

GIGABYTE X570 AORUS MASTER - 10.700

PSU Corsair HX-850i - 4900

SAMSUNG EVO 970 - 3300

SAMSUNG QVO 2TB - 6800

 

The case i'll leave it to you.

 

PS: I'm sorry if this pass by a lot your budget, but i have no freaking idea what currency that is.

Hehe don't worry, you're now at ~4300 USD. It's "CZK" currency (Czech Crown), you've saved a lot on 3950x and AORUS.

 

Thanks for this, you're awesome!  It is quite close to what I have setup for 3950X variant as well (except for few parts that you've chosen better), I guess we have the same taste in HW.

[GabrielFerrazTPU]

16 minutes ago, Martin Cohen said:

Hehe don't worry, you're now at ~4300 USD. It's "CZK" currency (Czech Crown), you've saved a lot on 3950x and AORUS.

 

Thanks for this, you're awesome!  It is quite close to what I have setup for 3950X variant as well (except for few parts that you've chosen better), I guess we have the same taste in HW.

Oh ok, haha never heard of it, i though in Czech Republic you guys used Euro(Currency).

Thanks by the way.

If you want, you could get a SAMSUNG EVO 970 1TB and instead of getting a 2TB SSD, get a SAMSUNG EVO 860 1TB + 2TB HD from western digital or Seagate.

About the case, i'd strongly suggest that the front is not covered entirely on glass in order to have a better internal Air flow.

 

[mariushm]

Here's my take on it

Comments:

1. cooler is 3 x 120mm , so careful about cases. The one I chose can have this radiator in front or top, lots of room.

2. Went with 2 x 32 GB sticks which is more expensive, but leaves you room to add 2 more stick in future. It's only 3000 Mhz but the processor will probably have a hard time using 128 GB at more than 3200 Mhz anyway, so it's not a big loss.

3. Just 512 GB for the OS and apps, which I think it's enough, but if you want you can go 1TB. Went with 2 TB for the "active projects" drive once you're done with it, you can move to mechanical drives.

If you want you can add a SATA SSD and use that 2 TB as "scratch drive", 

4. Add a 10g ethernet card if your NAS has 10g

 

This works out to around 3600$ if my conversions are right.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 3.5 GHz 16-Core Processor	£749.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk
CPU Cooler	Corsair H150i PRO 47.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	£129.97 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570 AORUS ELITE WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard	£203.08 @ Amazon UK
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	£298.47 @ Scan.co.uk
Storage	ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	£56.99 @ Amazon UK
Storage	ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	£189.99 @ CCL Computers
Storage	Seagate IronWolf NAS 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	£139.97 @ Amazon UK
Video Card	Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB AORUS Video Card	£732.49 @ Box Limited
Case	Fractal Design Meshify S2 ATX Mid Tower Case	£121.49 @ Scan.co.uk
Power Supply	Corsair RMx 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	£96.49 @ Currys PC World
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	£2718.93
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-28 14:05 GMT+0000

 

[Martin Cohen]

58 minutes ago, mariushm said:

Here's my take on it

Comments:

1. cooler is 3 x 120mm , so careful about cases. The one I chose can have this radiator in front or top, lots of room.

2. Went with 2 x 32 GB sticks which is more expensive, but leaves you room to add 2 more stick in future. It's only 3000 Mhz but the processor will probably have a hard time using 128 GB at more than 3200 Mhz anyway, so it's not a big loss.

3. Just 512 GB for the OS and apps, which I think it's enough, but if you want you can go 1TB. Went with 2 TB for the "active projects" drive once you're done with it, you can move to mechanical drives.

If you want you can add a SATA SSD and use that 2 TB as "scratch drive", 

4. Add a 10g ethernet card if your NAS has 10g

 

This works out to around 3600$ if my conversions are right.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 3.5 GHz 16-Core Processor	£749.99 @ Overclockers.co.uk
CPU Cooler	Corsair H150i PRO 47.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	£129.97 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570 AORUS ELITE WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard	£203.08 @ Amazon UK
Memory	Corsair Vengeance LPX 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	£298.47 @ Scan.co.uk
Storage	ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	£56.99 @ Amazon UK
Storage	ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive	£189.99 @ CCL Computers
Storage	Seagate IronWolf NAS 6 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	£139.97 @ Amazon UK
Video Card	Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8 GB AORUS Video Card	£732.49 @ Box Limited
Case	Fractal Design Meshify S2 ATX Mid Tower Case	£121.49 @ Scan.co.uk
Power Supply	Corsair RMx 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	£96.49 @ Currys PC World
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	£2718.93
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-11-28 14:05 GMT+0000

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

I'm a bit worried about the case and the cooler I've chosen (R6). However by the reviews and builds I've seen there's plenty of options of internal layout with R6, so I keep my fingers crossed.

 

With the memory of 2x32GB and 3000 MHz I'm not so sure, as by the specs there are sweet spots defined as follows (at least this is what I've seen on Linus' video):

• DDR4-3200
  • 4x8GB
  • 4x16GB
  • 4x32GB
• DDR4-2933
  • 8x8GB
• DDR4-2667
  • 8x16GB
  • 8x32GB

Also the CPU is Quad channel, so I'm a bit hesitant of going for just 2 slots, especially considering my budget.

 

For system SSD I have to go 1TB, I need several IDEs for app and desktop and web app development (Android Studio, Visual Studio) with often a lot of SDKs that come with it, plus the entire Adobe and Affinity suite, 3D posing and modelling software and a ton of music software. I've had 480 GB OS drive before, and it was ok, but I had to be careful with the remaining space, which is why I want to go 1TB this time.

[Martin Cohen]

1 hour ago, GabrielLP14 said:

Oh ok, haha never heard of it, i though in Czech Republic you guys used Euro(Currency).

Thanks by the way.

If you want, you could get a SAMSUNG EVO 970 1TB and instead of getting a 2TB SSD, get a SAMSUNG EVO 860 1TB + 2TB HD from western digital or Seagate.

About the case, i'd strongly suggest that the front is not covered entirely on glass in order to have a better internal Air flow.

 

Haha, my home country (Slovak Republic) is on Euro, but Czechs are much more stubborn. Euro nowhere in sight so far.

 

Yeah, the case bothers me more and more. But I'm kind of prepared to ditch it and try another one in the worst case scenario. Hopefully my current setup will hold up for a few more days.

[mariushm]

 

The CPU is NOT quad channel. Socket AM4 processors are dual channel. You don't get noticeably more performance by using more than 2 sticks, you have 4 slots on the motherboard for capacity.

Threadripper is quad channel, that will benefit from having 4 memory sticks installed.

 

Yes, ideally you'd use 3600 Mhz memory with socket AM4 processors. 3200 Mhz would be the next best thing.

HOWEVER, all the advice  is in the typical scenario where someone installs just two memory sticks, in dual channel configuration, and those sticks are 2 x 8 GB or at most 2 x 16 GB.

 

The memory controller inside the processor has to work harder to deal with four memory sticks at the same time. If the motherboard is of high enough quality, it will work at 3600 Mhz with 4 x 8 GB sticks, and may even work fine with 4 x 16 GB sticks.

It will depend on the actual memory sticks: it may be that 2 x 16 GB sticks will work at 3600 Mhz, but the motherboard may refuse to work or you may have to configure the very same memory sticks to 3200 Mhz if you install FOUR memory sticks on the motherboard (for a total of 64 GB)

 

With 32 GB sticks, it's every harder for the memory controller inside the CPU. Yes, it may work at 3600 Mhz with just two memory sticks installed, but even on a high end motherboard, it's not really guaranteed that you'll be able to use 4 such memory sticks at 3600 Mhz

 

I went with 3000 Mhz knowing it's a small trade-off - these sticks are cheaper than 3200 or 3600 Mhz versions (you can buy those if you want to) and you lose a tiny bit of performance by going with 3000 Mhz only, but you gain the ability to upgrade later to 128 GB of memory in total (4 sticks of 32 GB), if you'll find out you really need more than 64 GB of memory. 

You can definitely go with 32 GB 3600 Mhz memory sticks and may a bit more for them, just don't be surprised if you'll have to configure the sticks down to 3200 Mhz or 3000 Mhz when you use 4 memory sticks in total.

 

Anyway, to summarize... 3600 Mhz is ideal, 3200 Mhz is maybe less than 0.5% performance difference, and 3000 Mhz is maybe 1% less performance compared to 3600 Mhz. The differences are not huge.

 

Quote

 

With the memory of 2x32GB and 3000 MHz I'm not so sure, as by the specs there are sweet spots defined as follows (at least this is what I've seen on Linus' video):

• DDR4-3200
  • 4x8GB
  • 4x16GB
  • 4x32GB
• DDR4-2933
  • 8x8GB
• DDR4-2667
  • 8x16GB
  • 8x32GB

Also the CPU is Quad channel, so I'm a bit hesitant of going for just 2 slots, especially considering my budget.

 

 

Keep in mind that Linus records a video 2 weeks, sometimes ven a month before the video is actually published on the net. Also keep in mind that such videos are often outdated.

For example, do you notice there's no 3600 Mhz in that list? Maybe at the time Linus recorded that video, there was no 3600 Mhz memory available, or it was too expensive, or maybe the video used Ryzen 1st generation processors to do the tests, and Ryzen 1st generation couldn't really do 3600 Mhz.

 

Or, as you mention quad channel, maybe the suggestion was for Threadripper?

You can't compare suggestions for Threadripper 1 and 2, with memory suggestions for Threadripper  3 processors , or socket AM4 processors. Totally different things, the latest Threadripper works with memory differently and supports higher frequencies, while socket AM4 also has slightly different memory handling. 

 

AMD has released loads of microcode updates (like bios updates but for processors) and improved the memory compatibility for 1st gen and 2nd gen Ryzen processors, and the 3rd gen (Ryzen 3xxx) processors support quite high memory frequencies, up to around 4600 Mhz or so, but the sweetspot is somewhere at 3700 Mhz (AMD officially recommends going with 3600 Mhz)

 

But again, we're talking about scenario where a regular person uses 2 sticks of memory, and average capacity (8 GB or 16 GB sticks), not 32 GB sticks.

 

 

[Xplo1t]

I just want to know where are finding an actual 3970x to buy right now.  I've looked everywhere and both 3960x/3970x and 10980xe are sold out everywhere and the "pre-order" prices are all marked up.

[Martin Cohen]

On 11/28/2019 at 5:01 PM, mariushm said:

 

The CPU is NOT quad channel. Socket AM4 processors are dual channel. You don't get noticeably more performance by using more than 2 sticks, you have 4 slots on the motherboard for capacity.

Threadripper is quad channel, that will benefit from having 4 memory sticks installed.

 

Yes, ideally you'd use 3600 Mhz memory with socket AM4 processors. 3200 Mhz would be the next best thing.

HOWEVER, all the advice  is in the typical scenario where someone installs just two memory sticks, in dual channel configuration, and those sticks are 2 x 8 GB or at most 2 x 16 GB.

Yep, but I'm still playing with idea of using TR 3970x, but replacing some other pieces of HW with your guys' recommendations.

 

On 11/28/2019 at 5:01 PM, mariushm said:

Keep in mind that Linus records a video 2 weeks, sometimes ven a month before the video is actually published on the net. Also keep in mind that such videos are often outdated.

For example, do you notice there's no 3600 Mhz in that list? Maybe at the time Linus recorded that video, there was no 3600 Mhz memory available, or it was too expensive, or maybe the video used Ryzen 1st generation processors to do the tests, and Ryzen 1st generation couldn't really do 3600 Mhz.

 

Or, as you mention quad channel, maybe the suggestion was for Threadripper?

You can't compare suggestions for Threadripper 1 and 2, with memory suggestions for Threadripper  3 processors , or socket AM4 processors. Totally different things, the latest Threadripper works with memory differently and supports higher frequencies, while socket AM4 also has slightly different memory handling. 

I think the video from which the screenshot is is actually the TR 3970x review & benchmarks video. How can I find out an optimal "sweet-spot" RAM configurations that's current?

 

[Martin Cohen]

On 11/29/2019 at 12:20 AM, Xplo1t said:

I just want to know where are finding an actual 3970x to buy right now.  I've looked everywhere and both 3960x/3970x and 10980xe are sold out everywhere and the "pre-order" prices are all marked up.

I've been lucky and got to the pre-order list early on Monday Nov 25th when it came out. Also here in Czech Republic not many people will go for it. I have it available now, but I'm still considering 3950x (which is of course out of stock, as it's cheaper).