Threadripper 3990X TRX40 VRM Torture Test feat. Asus ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha

[Julio Franco]

Today we're going to perform some AMD TRX40 motherboard VRM thermal testing using the powerful 64-core Threadripper 3990X. To apply load we're using Blender with the system running at stock and overclocked to 3.8 GHz. The typical power draw for this system is around 450 watts, but once overclocked we are hitting as much as 850 watts. Toasty!

Read the full article here.

https://www.techspot.com/article/1994-threadripper-trx40-motherboard-vrm-torture-test/

 

[grumblguts]

Anyone who can afford this cpu ram and board will be using a top end case making low air flow tests pointless in the real world.
But I suppose it will let us to see what VRM has the most cooling area.

 

[Lounds]

How much do we think it costs the manufactures to make these boards. I imagine the markup is ridiculous.

 

[ajayka]

What was the CPU cooler? Thanks

 

[Arbie]

How much do we think it costs the manufactures to make these boards. I imagine the markup is ridiculous.

If you even begin to consider the tech involved - they're cheap. Free, almost. You could spend $600 on a couple of suitcases. The difference in product complexity is like umm... infinite.

 

[Someone8MyPosts]

Nothing like putting up unrealistic scenarios to try to get that affiliate cut.

 

[Someone8MyPosts]

How much do we think it costs the manufactures to make these boards. I imagine the markup is ridiculous.

There are recent factory tour YouTube videos on some of these. They don't address these boards specifically, but yeah, the markup is likely ridiculous. That may not be entirely the case, since they may have had to retool for these boards particularly and only get to make/sell but so many. No one buys these boards unless they are senseless with their money.

 

[amstech]

I raz on AMD for their clock speeds, and obviously with their IPC tech its transmitting more data per clock cycle, but all that being said I find 3.8GHz quite impressive for a 64 core CPU, regardless of its 4K price tag.
@Steve, is there a thermal limit with these chips?
103 is up there baby!

 

[Steve]

I raz on AMD for their clock speeds, and obviously with their IPC tech its transmitting more data per clock cycle, but all that being said I find 3.8GHz quite impressive for a 64 core CPU, regardless of its 4K price tag.
@Steve, is there a thermal limit with these chips?
103 is up there baby!

Usually the thermal limit is around 110 - 125c, at that point they start to throttle.

 

[amstech]

Usually the thermal limit is around 110 - 125c, at that point they start to throttle.

Good to know, It's something I could research but I'd rather here it from you.
Similar limits with Intel I presume.

 

[Steve]

Good to know, It's something I could research but I'd rather here it from you.
Similar limits with Intel I presume.

Well it's the VRM so has nothing to do with AMD or Intel. But yes Intel motherboards would have similar temp limits for the VRM.

Anyone who can afford this cpu ram and board will be using a top end case making low air flow tests pointless in the real world.
But I suppose it will let us to see what VRM has the most cooling area.

"tests pointless" if I had a dollar for every time someone said that and $2 every time it was someone who hadn't thought through their comment/had all the facts.

The tests were conducted in a 21c room, not everyone operates their PC in a cool environment. Moreover our 'low air-flow' test really wasn't that low, it's unlikely most systems would push more cool air over the VRM heatsink.

Nothing like putting up unrealistic scenarios to try to get that affiliate cut.

?‍

 

[amstech]

Well it's the VRM so has nothing to do with AMD or Intel. But yes Intel motherboards would have similar temp limits for the VRM.

Interesting, I've never actually looked into whether the voltage regulation module's were specific to each, or that specific architecture. I would have guessed they would have defined settings/limits based on the chipset, NM, and other factors, even if the parts are similar or identical.

 

[Yynxs]

Thank you for this review and information. It is extremely helpful in decision making.

 

[Jyrkz]

Next time add some benchmarks if doing a test like this.

 

[Steve]

Next time add some benchmarks if doing a test like this.

I'm not sure what you mean? What benchmarks do you want and what purpose would they serve?

 

[Squid Surprise]

Anyone know if the add on card that comes bundled with the MSI board (and allows an additional 4 M2 drives to be installed) would work on another board? And if the card (or something similar) can be bought separately?

Cause the MSI lets you install 7 m2 drives while the Asus only allows for 5.... but if you added the MSI card to the Asus, you could have 9...

 

[neeyik]

Anyone know if the add on card that comes bundled with the MSI board (and allows an additional 4 M2 drives to be installed) would work on another board? And if the card (or something similar) can be bought separately?

It should do, but failing that there are plenty of alternatives - e.g.

Amazon.com: ASUS Hyper M.2 X16 PCIe 3.0 X4 Expansion Card V2 Supports 4 NVMe M.2 (2242/2260/2280/22110) Upto 128 Gbps for Intel VROC and AMD Ryzen Threadripper NVMe Raid: Computers & Accessories

Buy ASUS Hyper M.2 X16 PCIe 3.0 X4 Expansion Card V2 Supports 4 NVMe M.2 (2242/2260/2280/22110) Upto 128 Gbps for Intel VROC and AMD Ryzen Threadripper NVMe Raid: USB Port Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Edit: Yes it will, as MSI sell it separately:

M.2 XPANDER- AERO

MSI M.2 XPANDER-AERO, The PCI-Express card offers four extra M.2 slots to increase your storage capacity at maximum speed.

www.msi.com

 

[Mister_K]

No one buys these boards unless they are senseless with their money.

Prosumers/Professional workstations do. First AMD boards that support up to 256GB RAM too...

 

[ecswing]

Do you know how the Asus Pro-Prime VRMs stack up? Would love to find a solid board that's not super gamer-y.