[Build Log] Cotton Candy Threads (Pic Heavy) [RETIRED]

[Den-Fi]

 

New Parts:

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X

Lian Li O11 Dynamic Black

Enermax LiqTech TR4 II 360 RGB

Corsair HD 120s (Additional)

Corsair HX1200i

@CableMod Carbon Extensions

Cablemod Right Angle USB 3.0 Header Extension

2nd Commander Pro

2x 40mm IC Graphite Pads

 

Existing Parts:

2x Asus STRIX GTX 1080 Ti

128GB Corsair 16GB RGB DDR4 3200

Samsung 970 Pro 512GB

2x Samsung 960 Evo 500GB

2x 8TB Seagate Ironwolf Pro

Zotac 1 Slot HB SLI Bridge

Corsair HD 120s

Corsair Addressable LED Strips

Corsair Commander Pro

 

 

This is iteration #3 of my Threadripper system. The previous build used the 1950X, but I was very impressed with what Precision Boost Overdrive brought to the table after seeing a few reviews. I’ve also cut down from 6 drives to two by moving to a NAS now that everything in my home has been upgraded to 10 gigabit ethernet. This meant I could move to a smaller case. I also had a pump failure on my Gen 1 Enermax AIO, so the cards really just lined up for a rebuild. They were nice enough to send me a 2^nd Gen cooler which has RGB, so I didn’t have to theme around white this time.

 

 

Things I loved about the build:

1. Options! The first time around, I was limited by my part choice, but it is really nice to see more modern cases with EATX support.
2. Seeing AMD grow! I really do like where AMD is headed. When Intel releases their iterative chips, we’d been forced to just take a minor clock speed bump, but now with real competition comes real upgrades. The performance boost over the 1950X on paper seems like nothing much, but I see many cores boosting higher and single threaded application feel much faster. Precision boost overdrive really makes a difference. There’s only a 250~ point difference between it and my all core (4.275GHz) Cinebench score.
3. Aesthetics! My 760T was good looking and all, but this O11 Dynamic is really a show stopper of a case while maintaining great thermals. Being smaller, I can have it up on my desk to enjoy.
4. Cable management! It’s been great in this case. I used Cablemod extensions with Mod-One shorty cables. It was MUCH cheaper than getting a full set of custom cables and looks just as good. Lots of room to manage in this case… or be a bit messy if you choose.

5. IC Graphite pads! These were quick to install and saved me from having to clean up a mess of paste when I change to the upcoming ROG cooler and 2990WX once the windows bugs are worked out.

Challenges:

1. As with the first time I used this board, the Zenith Extreme has one of those Foxconn retention brackets that’s is insanely difficult to work with. You end up getting all 3 screws in if you ignore the order listed on the socket, but still have to use way more for than you’re comfortable with on $1400 worth of parts.
2. The diagnostic screen died. A bit of a bummer on a year-old board. I don’t feel like RMAing just for that.

I use this PC for the Lightroom Classic CC, Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, VMs, deep learning experiments, gaming, and everything things. It’s my main rig. Even when I’m at my office, I use it remotely. I use it more for creative & workstation tasks than gaming.

 

 

[Den-Fi]

Pic Dump:

 

 

[Classic-master]

noice m8 i would r8 8/8

[Dissitesuxba11s]

Are you considering any of the 20-series cards? Not sure if your workload benefits from them.

[givingtnt]

What a nice set of colors.

[Den-Fi]

2 minutes ago, Dissitesuxba11s said:

Are you considering any of the 20-series cards? Not sure if your workload benefits from them.

I am heavily considering 2x 2080 Tis.

[germgoatz]

Damn, that's beautiful, what camera did you take these with?

[Den-Fi]

6 minutes ago, germgoatz said:

Damn, that's beautiful, what camera did you take these with?

Thank you! Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

[Knutis]

Just wow...

This is a stunning build! Love the colors as well! 

[Den-Fi]

1 hour ago, Knutis said:

Just wow...

This is a stunning build! Love the colors as well! 

Thanks!

[nick name]

@Densetsu  Can I ask why the thermal pads instead of paste?  I have one and know they're not terrible, but they aren't as good as paste.  

 

And great pics.  Your system looks great in those great looking pictures.  

[Den-Fi]

12 minutes ago, nick name said:

@Densetsu  Can I ask why the thermal pads instead of paste?  I have one and know they're not terrible, but they aren't as good as paste.  

 

And great pics.  Your system looks great in those great looking pictures.  

Thanks! The TRs require a lot of paste. Having rebuilt this rig 3 times, I just didn't want to go through the cleanup again. I plan to move to the Asus TR4 cooler when it comes out. It does about as well as Arctic silver 5. I had to use two. Maybe it's more effective over the larger die.

[nick name]

2 hours ago, Densetsu said:

Thanks! The TRs require a lot of paste. Having rebuilt this rig 3 times, I just didn't want to go through the cleanup again. I plan to move to the Asus TR4 cooler when it comes out. It does about as well as Arctic silver 5. I had to use two. Maybe it's more effective over the larger die.

Ahhhh I agree completely with your use-case.  I believe they are best for times when you need to remove the cooler frequently as well.  It's why I kept mine and it's come in handy several times and kept me from having to clean paste several times.

 

I am also looking forward to the new Asus cooler.  Do you know if it has a square cold plate?  I know the cheaper one is just an Asetek rebrand, but the more expensive one I am hoping is different.  

[Den-Fi]

36 minutes ago, nick name said:

Ahhhh I agree completely with your use-case.  I believe they are best for times when you need to remove the cooler frequently as well.  It's why I kept mine and it's come in handy several times and kept me from having to clean paste several times.

 

I am also looking forward to the new Asus cooler.  Do you know if it has a square cold plate?  I know the cheaper one is just an Asetek rebrand, but the more expensive one I am hoping is different.  

I've seen this on a few sites:

 

Spoiler

The Ryujin will come in two different variants based on radiator size. There is the Ryujin 240 (120 mm x 240 mm radiator), and Ryujin 360 (120 mm x 360 mm radiator). Each feature a 27mm thick aluminum radiator and matte black Noctua IndustrialPPC 120 mm PWM fans.

These coolers only support AMD’s TR4 socket.

Which leads me to believe that the cooler is going to have a full coverage cold plate.

 

Edit: Here's an unboxing in German that shows otherwise. Hopefully that just means there are multiple models.

 

[nick name]

54 minutes ago, Densetsu said:

I've seen this on a few sites:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

The Ryujin will come in two different variants based on radiator size. There is the Ryujin 240 (120 mm x 240 mm radiator), and Ryujin 360 (120 mm x 360 mm radiator). Each feature a 27mm thick aluminum radiator and matte black Noctua IndustrialPPC 120 mm PWM fans.

These coolers only support AMD’s TR4 socket.

Which leads me to believe that the cooler is going to have a full coverage cold plate.

 

Edit: Here's an unboxing in German that shows otherwise. Hopefully that just means there are multiple models.

 

Damn it.  I really hope it isn't that circular cold plate.  Even on Ryzen it doesn't really cover the entire IHS.  

 

And I am glad someone finally had the sense to put a fan on the AIO pump to cool the surrounding bits.  I sat, forever, wondering why that wasn't a thing.  

[Den-Fi]

Added 3 more HD120s as bottom intake.

 

[Den-Fi]

 

Added 3x HD120s as bottom intake and tweezered zip tied the @CableMod PCIe extension to the card.

 

 

[iwalkwithedead]

Looks great! and now I'm in the mood for some Cotton Candy.

[Den-Fi]

9 hours ago, iwalkwithedead said:

Looks great! and now I'm in the mood for some Cotton Candy.

Thanks! And yes, me too... all the time when I'm sitting near this thing.

[thesmileyone]

Always looking at this on PCPP... much jealousy

[Opencircuit74]

Man, this build looks awesome. Mine's sort of an RGB mess, but I really do like the pink and blue theme on yours. The real question is, is it folding? lol.

[Den-Fi]

1 hour ago, Opencircuit74 said:

Man, this build looks awesome. Mine's sort of an RGB mess, but I really do like the pink and blue theme on yours. The real question is, is it folding? lol.

Thanks! It is responsible for 2.5M PPD of my total output.

 

3 hours ago, thesmileyone said:

Always looking at this on PCPP... much jealousy

[Dissitesuxba11s]

Question about the Commander Pros:

Do you have a splitter for the LEDs as well? IIRC the Commander Pros only have 2 LED ports on them.

[Den-Fi]

13 hours ago, Dissitesuxba11s said:

Question about the Commander Pros:

Do you have a splitter for the LEDs as well? IIRC the Commander Pros only have 2 LED ports on them.

The fans have RGB hubs. Using 2 of those for my 9 fans which consumes one whole Commander Pro.

[Dissitesuxba11s]

8 hours ago, King Poet said:

The fans have RGB hubs. Using 2 of those for my 9 fans which consumes one whole Commander Pro.

Gotcha, didn't see that each of the 3 fan packs come with a fan and RGB hub.