AMD Ryzen Threadripper Unboxing and Install

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
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AMD Ryzen Threadripper Unboxing and Install - We show you how "easily" the AMD Threadripper comes out of the box, and some hilarity ensues, and then we take you through the simple steps of Threadripper installation. I would consider this a PSA as well because I destroyed the socket on my TR4 motherboard.
 
It seems like your camera is set up for European frequencies as I see your light is flickering, I doubt you see it with the human eye in reality.
But the camera may have a setting for it ?

or it's just the youtube codec :D
Just a FYI
I left the ceiling fan on. My bad.
 
Holy shit that thing is big. I guess that'll help with cooling it at least!

I've destroyed a socket trying to reinstall that cover...
 
It looks like I was wrong about the packaging being so large because it included an AIO. That box is big just for the sake of being big.
 
It looks like I was wrong about the packaging being so large because it included an AIO. That box is big just for the sake of being big.

well at least AMD has put in some money into the marketing team this time

instead of just a lot of empty words and hot air

those boxes sure are garnering a lot of attention from people

and I'll have to say if I'd buy one (we'll I won't because I don't have a use for endless cores beyond what a Ryzen could offer me) I'd proudly have the box stand somewhere

hell I'd give a lot to get a paperweight like Anandtech did
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from a marketing standpoint I'd say this:

0_-_pelican_575px.jpg


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is way better than naming a RX460 "VR for the masses"
with arms waving in the air
or calling out Nvidia, all the while making a graphics card that competes with Nvidias 4th fastest card (1070)
a year later


all the while Intel seems to rebrand a z270 as a z370 so people can buy new boards, again, just for the sake of running a 6 core kaby lake named coffee lake

ehh

gonna go AMD next time

been a while
 
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As previously mentioned, there is a liquid cooler bracket included in the processor box. This bracket is intended to make Asetek-based design liquid coolers compatible with the Ryzen Threadripper processor and SocketTR4. The coolers listed below have been tested by AMD and work well with Ryzen Threadripper.
You may notice that the head or block of the thermal solution does not completely cover the integrated heat spreader (also known as processor lid) of the Ryzen Threadripper. This is acceptable because of the
thermal performance of the listed coolers, and the fact that the head covers both silicon chips under the heat spreader. To ensure best performance, please ensure the thermal paste applied to the head spreads evenly and completely across the surface of the head to use the full contact area.

Liquid Coolers:
- Corsair Hydro Series H115i / H100i v2 / H105 / H80iv2
- NZXT Kraken X62 / X61 / X52
- Thermaltake Riing 3.0 RGB 360 / RGB 240 /
- Thermaltake Water 3.0 Ultimate / 3.0 Extreme
- Cryorig A80 / A40 Ultimate / A40
- Arctic Liquid Freezer 240
- EVGA Closed Loop CPU Cooler (CLC) 280

Air Coolers:
- Arctic Freezer 33
- Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
- Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3, NH-U12S TR4-SP3, NH-U9 TR4-SP3

AMD Threadripper and TR4 X399 Motherboard Pre-buy

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (16-core/32-thread) - $999-Amazon - $1000-Newegg
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X (12-core/24-thread) - $799-Amazon - $800-Newegg
And you are going to need a X399 Motherboard as well. (5 X Newegg)
 
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lol.... thanks for the PSA on damaging the socket Kyle.
The way you described it, it's easy to see how that could happen.

Instead of making those covers pop on/off the top of the socket, they should make a dummy CPU cartridge that
protects the socket. Remove the dummy cartridge, install CPU cartridge, close it up. No futzing with that other
plastic cover that pops on/off. That's too much of a risk putting them back on.

Of course, what they should really do is make the CPU plug into the mobo like a Nintendo game cartridge.
I suppose that would complicate cooling options though.

Years ago when it was only techs/geeks putting chips on boards, the degree of difficulty didn't matter so much.
As a young tech, I remember putting static tubes of RAM chips in DIP packages into rows of mobo sockets,
that sucked and it was really easy to screw up and bend legs on the chips.

Now days with "Joe Six-pack" users (not saying you are) buying a mobo and parts and putting them together on
their kitchen table, they need to make CPU installation easier and more user friendly.

The tech manufacturers are trying, but they're not there yet with improving user friendliness for average consumers.
You'd think this would be a bigger priority with the number of people damaging boards and trying to RMA them.

Major points for the warning on this Kyle. If it were me, I would have shot the mobo, buried it in my back yard, and
never said a word about it to anybody.

.
 
lol.... thanks for the PSA on damaging the socket Kyle.
The way you described it, it's easy to see how that could happen.

Instead of making those covers pop on/off the top of the socket, they should make a dummy CPU cartridge that
protects the socket. Remove the dummy cartridge, install CPU cartridge, close it up. No futzing with that other
plastic cover that pops on/off. That's too much of a risk putting them back on.

Of course, what they should really do is make the CPU plug into the mobo like a Nintendo game cartridge.
I suppose that would complicate cooling options though.

Years ago when it was only techs/geeks putting chips on boards, the degree of difficulty didn't matter so much.
As a young tech, I remember putting static tubes of RAM chips in DIP packages into rows of mobo sockets,
that sucked and it was really easy to screw up and bend legs on the chips.

Now days with "Joe Six-pack" users (not saying you are) buying a mobo and parts and putting them together on
their kitchen table, they need to make CPU installation easier and more user friendly.

The tech manufacturers are trying, but they're not there yet with improving user friendliness for average consumers.
You'd think this would be a bigger priority with the number of people damaging boards and trying to RMA them.

Major points for the warning on this Kyle. If it were me, I would have shot the mobo, buried it in my back yard, and
never said a word about it to anybody.

.

I think your are over estimating the amount of Joe six pack installing a CPU on a motherboard. Maybe upgrading ram or swapping out a hard drive
 
Major points for the warning on this Kyle. If it were me, I would have shot the mobo, buried it in my back yard, and
never said a word about it to anybody.
Hehe, let my fuckery be your warning. The least I can do. Quite frankly, I would suggest that the mobo companies want this information out there. And not exactly like they can put out a PR on it.
 
Wow, that sucks.

If I were you, I would save that mobo and wait until you get another TR CPU and see if your repair worked.

But it makes sense to do not take a chance if you only have one TR CPU.
 
Wow, that sucks.

If I were you, I would save that mobo and wait until you get another TR CPU and see if your repair worked.

But it makes sense to do not take a chance if you only have one TR CPU.
I will send the board back to Gigabyte and let them repair it.
 
I think your are over estimating the amount of Joe six pack installing a CPU on a motherboard. Maybe upgrading ram or swapping out a hard drive

I've been in the electronics & IT biz since around '85 or so....

You'd be surprised at how many people over the years who had "12:00" flashing on their VCRs but still tried to install computer parts resulting in smoke and flames.
Then I'd get called to look at the system and give them the bad news, "Uhh no, that CPU with all of the pins bent flat will not be covered under warranty."

I was truly amazed when I started seeing computer parts in retail stores, I knew that was going to be big trouble for the retailers and manufacturers.

.
 
This has been my recurring nightmare since LGA775. Fortunately, I've been able to repair what I mangled along the way ... but this TR4 socket seems to be in another league altogether.

Unrelated, I just got off the phone with Swiftech and for those of us with Apogee XL/XL2 waterblocks (the ones they use for their past and present AIOs), a TR4 adapter is forthcoming, but there's no specific timeline as of yet.
 
Nice videos, Kyle. Looking at the Newegg link for mobos, I'm not liking the $~400+ price tags. I'm more of a $200-$250 mobo kind of guy. I suppose if I'm going to spend $1k on a CPU, I shouldn't bitch about a $400 mobo, but I am.
 
Man I can't wait for the reviews on these things. I want one when I build my new rig so bad. It's pure overkill for a gaming rig but that's kinda why I want one. That $350-550 motherboard price though, but I guess you gotta pay for the extra beef to run a CPU that big.
 
I've been in the electronics & IT biz since around '85 or so....

You'd be surprised at how many people over the years who had "12:00" flashing on their VCRs but still tried to install computer parts resulting in smoke and flames.
Then I'd get called to look at the system and give them the bad news, "Uhh no, that CPU with all of the pins bent flat will not be covered under warranty."

I was truly amazed when I started seeing computer parts in retail stores, I knew that was going to be big trouble for the retailers and manufacturers.

My VCR usually flashed 12:00 because I was too lazy to reset it .
 
3:34-3:40 in the installation video
"And here's me casually touching the bottom of a $1k cpu, watch as I rub my hand oils all over this thing, lol."
Always make sure you are grounded, and keep a lot of 99.9% isopropyl around. ;)
 
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That $350-550 motherboard price though, but I guess you gotta pay for the extra beef to run a CPU that big.

I was going to say ASRock doesn't count. :-P But I just looked again and already more are being added including an Asus Prime for $350 as you stated. If it reviews well, that'll probably be my go to.
 
Uh oh. I'm having Socket A flashbacks. Granted I never damaged a motherboard installing the heatsink but I damn near burst into tears the first time I did it. It went something like this...

FM7TnPc.gif

tumblr_md1ewcWJFN1qm9z7ro1_500.gif


386971
 
Sigh. Destroying an LGA board is one of the worlds most frustrating experiences.

Uh oh. I'm having Socket A flashbacks. Granted I never damaged a motherboard installing the heatsink but I damn near burst into tears the first time I did it. It went something like this...

So much! I raked a gouge out of a nForce board putting on a SLK-800 (though that was a HUGE heat sink back in the day...).

Somehow the damn board still worked....for years. I KNOW I hit traces on it. No idea how I never had issues with it.
 
Did you get the decorative piece and the pelican and all that? Would love to see the [H] on the chip, give me a [H]ard|ON will ya?

And in other news, you can go buy $300+ Mobo's for $1000 CPU's and it still comes with a PS2 slot.... fuck me
 
Did you get the decorative piece and the pelican and all that? Would love to see the [H] on the chip, give me a [H]ard|ON will ya?

And in other news, you can go buy $300+ Mobo's for $1000 CPU's and it still comes with a PS2 slot.... fuck me

Because PS2 natively supports N key rollover. USB does not, even if it is advertised.

I admit the boards are becoming less and less as far as options as USB is being heavily adopted from bios and up. Yup even after all these years USB still has issues here and there.

Additionally some Operating Systems, GASP!! not everyone uses Windows, only literally will startup or allow installation if you can see the keyboard and PS2 is sure to work, unlike USB. Even software like Acronis True Image and others have issues locating keyboards and mice on USB, but on PS2 100% success when booting to these custom environments. It is getting better I admit.

It is an old standard and it has vast superiority with driver support out of the gates than USB does even after all these years.

Don't be so quick ti dismiss it's usefulness.
 
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I bent some pins on a CPU socket many years ago - don't even remember what kind it was. I did manage to straighten them out and the board posted fine.

Looking forward to some reviews on these Threadripper CPUs to see how they stand up to Intel's offerings. Also really curious how the 1900x will compare to the 1800x. At $799 the 1920 seems pretty pricey to me, but I might spring for the 1900.

While my aging i7 4770 is still a capable CPU, I am getting the itch to build a new system. This is probably the longest I have ever gone without making a CPU upgrade.
 
Great videos and who has not bent pins before? Just these look next to impossible to do without a special die or something. I wonder if wise on these motherboards in changing out cpus after a couple of years? As in if those fragile pins may cause issues. lol on the packaging puzzle in disassembly, almost rubik's cube thought out. I would think just a plane box for the cpu that opens up would be much simpler except then a video would be boring. Also looking forward to how these cpus and motherboards perform. Thanks for those videos Kyle, keep them coming please.
 
First AMD CPU to have my attention since Slot A. I like where this is going. I've destroyed my share of hardware too, build enough systems and it will happen to you. Cool of you to just admit it.


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Haha.

As a proffessional PC builder, I accidently bend pins on mainboards about twice a year. Its a liability of the job. If you are good enough with a magnifying glass and a razor, you should be able to bend back a standard 115X pin, but those HEDT pins are so fragile...
 
the 10th is too damn far away.... even if I don't get my Threadripper until the 15th from Amazon that is fine. I just want to see reviews NOW before the damn thing ships and I have to go through the hassle of returing it pending some major bug or instability is discovered.

It makes more sense for AMD to release reviews a few days before they go on sale? I don't get why the would lift NDA and have Pre-orders ship on the same day. It is almost like they are hiding something and want to just get as many out the door as possible that day. I don't know just something so wierd to me right now about the alignment of NDA lifting and shipping of the chips.
 
the 10th is too damn far away.... even if I don't get my Threadripper until the 15th from Amazon that is fine. I just want to see reviews NOW before the damn thing ships and I have to go through the hassle of returing it pending some major bug or instability is discovered.

It makes more sense for AMD to release reviews a few days before they go on sale? I don't get why the would lift NDA and have Pre-orders ship on the same day. It is almost like they are hiding something and want to just get as many out the door as possible that day. I don't know just something so wierd to me right now about the alignment of NDA lifting and shipping of the chips.

yes and no.. allow reviews to early and it sucks you lose all the pre-orders.. or if the products really good all of a sudden your competition slashes prices during your launch.. it's a double edge sword but it makes more sense not doing paper launches anymore. i mean hell look at what AMD has been doing with their pricing vs intel's low end x299 based cpu's.. at their current prices there's no reason to ever consider the 7820x, 7740x, or 7640x.
 
It seems if you're ever going to remove a Threadripper CPU, you're better off not even trying to replace the protective cover.
However I do wonder if it's possible to damage the pins by just taking off the cover too? It seems to be the least thought out part of the design, and it's the part that's closest to those delicate pins.
 
Kyle why did you do the incorrect order when locking the processor into the socket. The instructions clearly said to do 1->2->3. You did 1->3->2. For those complaining about this installation procedure it's actually so much more simpler and HP has been using a sled like system for a while now which reduces bent pin incidents and makes removing the processors so much more simpler. HP calls it the "smart socket" and they use it even on Xeon E5's.

(clearly can see he did 1-3-2 which is the wrong procedure). Not to mention you don't need to screw in 1 again after 2 and 3 was done. It's obvious you didn't follow the instructions.

The socket is fully symmetric. 123 or 132 makes no difference. If you watched the video, you would note that the installation of the CPU had ZERO to do with the pins getting bent. And if you read the article, you will see my thoughts on the socket engineering and design.
 
I didn't say that your installation caused the bent pins but you clearly didn't follow the specified steps or instructions regardless of whether it is symmetrical or not (which is what I said earlier). So far this is the only X399 bent pin incident I've seen however.
OK. Noted.
 
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