DemoEval Ryzen03 - With Blue LEDs

[Patrick]

This one will likely end up becoming my personal workstation, or perhaps just a Linux test workstation. For now, it is going into DemoEval but I decided to use the machine for answering a few questions I had.

Build Parts and Rationale

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 1700
  
  - The included cooler makes this too good of a value to pass up. This is called putting my money where my mouth is after AMD Ryzen 7 1700 Linux Benchmarks - The Zen you should buy
• Motherboard: Gigabyte AX370-Gaming 5 Aorus
  
  - I got this one at a local computer shop. I wanted Ryzen + Intel NIC and since this is going to be a personal workstation, I wanted LOTS OF LEDS a U.2 NVMe port
• RAM: You are going to see 32GB of Patriot Viper DDR4-2666 RAM installed. The 3200MHz 64GB
  
  kit is hopefully going to arrive Friday.
• Case: NZXT S340
  
  - I was "cheap" and got the $69-$79 non-elite. I somewhat regret it. I should have spent a few more for this Amazon.com: NZXT S340VR-Elite Matte Black/Blue (CA-S340W-B5): Computers & Accessories as it has an extra SSD mount. Super easy to install and make look decent. I normally do not care much about appearance but they did a good job. I have no use for 20x 3.5" bays since spinning media is only for NAS units. I was not very happy about the fact that these required me to install aftermarket 4-pin PWM fans.
• PSU: Seasonic 550W
  
  Gold. I use almost all Seasonic at this point. It is complete overkill but silent at any load this will be used for.
• SSDs: Intel DC S3600 800GB, Intel 750 400GB NVMe
• Video Card: I used an old Zotac 610 PCIe x1 card. It works well. Buying today I would get the updated 710 model Amazon.com: ZOTAC GeForce GT 710 1GB DDR3 PCIE x 1 , DVI, HDMI, VGA, Low Profile Graphic Card (ZT-71304-20L): Computers & Accessories the advantage here is that these are $45 and use a PCIe x1 slot. That leaves the PCIe x16 slot open for additional devices.
• NIC: Not installed yet. Likely a Mellanox ConnectX3-EN Pro 40GbE card since I use those everywhere.

And the pic of it running in STH Blue mode:

 

[OBasel]

GPU looks wimpy but otherwise me likey.

Using that GPU saves $100+ on the cost too not just gives you more PCIe slots to work with.

 

[slatfats]

I've read that the Ryzen CPUs support ECC memory... but haven't seen anyone try, and haven't seen any desktop motherboards that claim to support it. Any chance you'd be willing to chuck some into this motherboard to see how it fares?

 

[_alex]

These GT 710 are ideal for Xeon based workstations or to pass-through to a VM, low TDP, x1 - x8 PCIe and low-cost but enough to do work

Would love to know if Clover and OSX Sierra could run with a Ryzen (at least if the installer starts).
GT 710 should be fine, i currently have a build with X10SLM-F, E3 1231 v3 and EVGA GT710 2GB in x4 x8 in the pipeline, still waiting for the GT 710 and USB Sound.

Edit: oh, i missed that it's 610 and not 710 in the Build ...

 

[danws6]

Does that local computer shop have more boards in stock? Frys only has a Asus Prime X370 board and is sold out of the rest, Amazon is sold out, NewEgg is sold out. My 1800x has been sitting on my shelf for a week now with nothing to plug it into.

I was leaning toward a MSI board since they have dual M.2 slots which I thought would be good for future proofing. Is there a downside to having a one M.2 and one U.2 right now?

 

[Patrick]

Does that local computer shop have more boards in stock? Frys only has a Asus Prime X370 board and is sold out of the rest, Amazon is sold out, NewEgg is sold out. My 1800x has been sitting on my shelf for a week now with nothing to plug it into.

I was leaning toward a MSI board since they have dual M.2 slots which I thought would be good for future proofing. Is there a downside to having a one M.2 and one U.2 right now?

Heading there today. Send me an email. patrick at ServeTheHome.

They sell out all the time so would need to make a decision quickly.

 

[C4PPY]

@Patrick Have you tried more then 64GB RAM with ryzen? Say 128GB?

 

[Patrick]

@Patrick Have you tried more then 64GB RAM with ryzen? Say 128GB?

Hard to find 32GB UDIMM modules.

 

[C4PPY]

Hard to find 32GB UDIMM modules.

You allways have the things that are hard to find ;-)
The reason for the question is that I am designing a 3U dual itx rack chassis and was hoping for two ryzen itx with lets say 64GB RAM if possible.

 

[Patriot]

x370 prime is a nice board... can boost the 1700 to 3.8ghz on stock cooler and volts.