Threadripper in 2U

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Jul 16, 2019
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So I'm eyeing a renderfarm comprised of Threadripper's in 2U. Never built a server before, but I've put together a tentative build list and wanted to run it by the forum for feedback, recommendations, and validation.

Supermicro SuperChassis 213A-R740WB SC213A-R740WB | 2U | Chassis | Products | Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Threadripper 2950X (or next-gen 180W TR4 cpu)

Asrock X388D8A-2T
ASRock Rack > X399D8A-2T

Dynatron A26 Active 2U cooler
https://www.dynatron.co/product-page/a26-1

Micron 5200 960Gb SSD, Samsung 970 Pro M.2

Has anyone tried Threadrippers in 2U with that cooler?

I'd love to throw a 2990WX in the builds, but that cooler can't handle the 250W TDP.

Any advice? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance.
 

Ojref1

New Member
Oct 8, 2018
19
5
3
So I'm eyeing a renderfarm comprised of Threadripper's in 2U. Never built a server before, but I've put together a tentative build list and wanted to run it by the forum for feedback, recommendations, and validation.

Supermicro SuperChassis 213A-R740WB SC213A-R740WB | 2U | Chassis | Products | Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Threadripper 2950X (or next-gen 180W TR4 cpu)

Asrock X388D8A-2T
ASRock Rack > X399D8A-2T

Dynatron A26 Active 2U cooler
https://www.dynatron.co/product-page/a26-1

Micron 5200 960Gb SSD, Samsung 970 Pro M.2

Has anyone tried Threadrippers in 2U with that cooler?

I'd love to throw a 2990WX in the builds, but that cooler can't handle the 250W TDP.

Any advice? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance.
 

Ojref1

New Member
Oct 8, 2018
19
5
3
I'm considering doing 1920x's in either 1U or 2U. For a mild to moderate load VMWARE lab in my office. Based on my desktop experience with TR, that processor can hot-spot burst up temps and practically boil water out of a liquid cooling system like nothing I've ever seen before. I think 2U is definitely the platform to fit it into, simply because the CPU is going to need all the help it can get. 1U is better left for the Epyc 3000 and lower power SP4 Epyc CPUs. Dynatron makes excellent coolers, and I'm considering that exact model. With the better functioning PBO in TR gen 2, I'd keep a close eye on thermal management, I don't know how well ASROCK's firmware is set up yet for that TR server board. I also hope that you don't intend to fill the drive bays up with spinning SAS drives as it will add a lot of thermal load to the case.

With a 2950X its going to get hot, especially in a use case where you're going to be loading down all cores. You might be better off going with 3-4 U and looking at a WraithRipper cooler or even a Coolermaster ML360-TR4 (what I use for my present 2920X) which from what I've seen in testing can even load up those high capacity solutions. In the end, a more thermal optimized solution like EPYC that can run at top clock speeds in a smaller form factor might be far better than a TR that's constantly thermally throttling itself. These are my musings, apologies if it seems a little rambling. I hope it encourages more discussion on this topic.
 
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Jul 16, 2019
45
4
8
I'm considering doing 1920x's in either 1U or 2U. For a mild to moderate load VMWARE lab in my office. Based on my desktop experience with TR, that processor can hot-spot burst up temps and practically boil water out of a liquid cooling system like nothing I've ever seen before. I think 2U is definitely the platform to fit it into, simply because the CPU is going to need all the help it can get. 1U is better left for the Epyc 3000 and lower power SP4 Epyc CPUs. Dynatron makes excellent coolers, and I'm considering that exact model. With the better functioning PBO in TR gen 2, I'd keep a close eye on thermal management, I don't know how well ASROCK's firmware is set up yet for that TR server board. I also hope that you don't intend to fill the drive bays up with spinning SAS drives as it will add a lot of thermal load to the case.

With a 2950X its going to get hot, especially in a use case where you're going to be loading down all cores. You might be better off going with 3-4 U and looking at a WraithRipper cooler or even a Coolermaster ML360-TR4 (what I use for my present 2920X) which from what I've seen in testing can even load up those high capacity solutions. In the end, a more thermal optimized solution like EPYC that can run at top clock speeds in a smaller form factor might be far better than a TR that's constantly thermally throttling itself. These are my musings, apologies if it seems a little rambling. I hope it encourages more discussion on this topic.
I appreciate the insights, and it's a relief to hear I'm not the only one considering this type of build.

I looked at some 1U chassis, but I have doubts about the passive heatsinks, and that 1U active Dynatron looks like it would commit suicide in my render builds.

The 2U looks right to me with adequate airflow, and the A26 does look capable. I could use PB2 to limit the wattage to try to prevent thermal throttling and ease the stress on the chips. Stability is more important for me that maximum boost clocks, but a little bit of OC would be nice.

No SAS drives - only flash for speed and reliability.

I looked at 4U config with the Noctua U9 cooler, but that would take up a lot of rackspace which gets expensive. I also considered 2990WX builds in those 4U chassis, but again the space constraints are a real issue. I may shift back towards 4U if the next-gen Threadripper are compelling enough - if I could do 64 core at 250w it would be worthwhile I think.

I am also very interested in Epyc, and I look forward to tomorrow's announcement and review. However the cost difference is considerable, and my use case doesn't benefit much from the extra PCIe lanes and memory channels - at least not enough to be worth it. Again, depending on Rome I may go for them (or discounted Naples), but this 2U 2950X config makes sense right now.

The nice thing about this config is it offers good performance for both core-optimized and frequency-optimized rendering - a good all-around render setup.

This entire config may become moot in 10 hours, but it is something I've been thinking about for awhile and wanted to share and get feedback.
 

norcis

New Member
Oct 26, 2015
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Hi. Have you completed your project? How is the cooling?
I have 2950x and would like to build 2U nvme flash only server for VM's use.
Looking forward which chassis, cpu cooler, psu, ram to buy?

BTW. I already have Wraith Ripper CPU fan and 1000W ATX PSU which maybe I could use in 4U. Any 4U chassis recommendation?
 

djbe

New Member
Dec 4, 2020
1
0
1
How did this turn out? I have a 1920X + X399 in a 2U enclosure (4U Supermicro SC847, but mb tray 2U due to 12x3.5 backplane underneath)

I've ordered a SNK-P0063P heatsink, but like most SP3 heatsinks the fins run lengthwise across the socket, so on a TR4 socket the HS therefore sits perpendicular to the airflow

How did you (and / or other Threadripper owners) deal with this problem (if you even encountered it)?

Can / should I: (i) add a fan or shroud to direct airflow through the HS; or (ii) give up before I start and buy a HSF (i.e. Dynatron A26)?

TIA