M76
[H]F Junkie
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2012
- Messages
- 14,036
WARNING: This will be long, and windy, if you don't like a lot of reading, then ignore this thread.
Part 1: The Buildup
I didn't know whether to post this here on in the build log thread, but I think it has more to do with the platform and the MB than being about the actual build process. Besides I already posted a build log with my current case, and this time I'm not getting a new case because I like what I have for the first time. Not that it is perfect, but it's a compromise I can live with. Small footprint but terrible to work on, tight spaces everywhere.
Now I'm already going off on a tangent when I said this isn't about the case. So back on topic. After 13 years of building my primary rig exclusively on INTEL, with Ryzen 3000 i've decided to go back. My last AMD build was an Athlon 64 3000+ that I retired in 2006. I was actually on the fence many times about getting a Threadripper 1920x, but never actually pulled the trigger. I hope I've made the right decision.
And while we are at decisions, this is not the PC I wanted! I decided even before the launch of the 3000 series that my CPU will be the 3900x, but after almost a month of looking at listings, pre-ordering, then cancelling, and pushing around of delivery dates I said fuck it, and got a 3700x instead.
Why not the 3800x? Two reasons: For an 8core the 3800x is overpriced, and it seems to me that if you're going to OC it is all about silicon lottery between these two. And hell yes I'm going to OC. Not that I had much luck on the lottery recently. My 6800k which was only rock solid at 4125 is an abysmal testament to this.
So, first thing first. The board. I wanted the x570 platform, because if I'm spending on a new build I don't want an old platform, I want the best. Is the 570 overpriced? Well if you look at it as a consumer platform, it is. Very much. But to me this is replacing a HEDT system, and IMO Ryzen 3000 can and is competing with INTEL's HEDT lineup. And then it's not the board that is overpriced, it is the CPU that is cheap.
I needed SLI, becuase I have dual GTX1080s, so that automatically excluded everything bellow $300. My final choice was made for me, not by me. I ended up with an ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F Gaming. I wanted a new NVME system SSD for my new build, and this one came with an 512GB SSD for free. That was a deal I could not refuse.
As for RAM I didn't need new memories as I could've used the modules from my X99. 4x8GB G.Skill Ripjaws V. They are decent mid range modules at CL15 / 3000. But with RAM prices excepted to go up I decided to buy while they're down for the count. So I got a HYPERX Predator 2x16GB CL13 / 2666 kit. I hope I can get some OC out of it.
Part 2: The Build
This is the frustrating part. Since not using a new case first I had to evacuate my old system. That bit already took close to 2 hours. And that's far from being the end of my frustrations. I installed the ram, the cpu and the cooler out of case as usual. This turned out to be a grave mistake. As it was impossible to connect the CPU power connector with the NH-D15 in place. So I took off the cooler, which ripped the CPU out of the socket. It was stuck on so hard that it took quite an effort to peel off from the cold plate. The AM4 retaining bracket is flimsy as hell, it barely holds the cpu, which might be a good thing, otherwise it might have ripped out pins.
It took me about 6 hours to fit everything in the case, and connect everything how I wanted, I won't go into details on that but by the time I finished my patience was wearing thin. But the worst was yet to come.
First attempt at powering on: Nothing happens. Pressing the power button again, nothing. I was thinking the CPU might have been damaged after all when it was pulled out from the socket. But it wasn't that. Thanks to the crammed space and the fact that I didn't really see what I was doing, it turned out that I connected the power switch to the wrong pins.
That's a relief. After connecting it the right way, the fans spun up, RGB lighting flashing, but on the display: No signal.
Might I have forgotten something? I've spent hours troubleshooting, still no signal. Tried with both GPUs, and with each installed by itself, to no avail. At this point I was so confused that I had to look up on the net if the Ryzen 3000 might have an integrated GPU that overrides the dedicated ones, but of course no.
Then I turned to the onboard diagnostic leds. Not much help, but it shows which component is stopping the post. And according to the QLED display the Post is completed successfully, and the system is already in the boot state. But then why is there nothing on the screen?
In my utter frustration I've tried the system with the Ripjaws, no change. Then I look at the recommended DIMM population order in the manual, and it turns out, ASUS recommends using slots A2 and B2 if you're using two DIMMs, who the fuck does that? Why aren't A1 and B1 the primary slots?
And it turned out to be terrible advice anyway since when I installed the memory into A2 and B2, the system didn't even get past the RAM test according to the LEDs. Good job ASUS.
So what was the solution? Because there was a solution. Well actually more like workaround. Connect the display using HDMI, instead of DP. WTF? Why? How? If I connect using DP, the monitor turns off and goes into sleep. If I use the HDMI, the post screen actually shows.
I'm still at that point after installing windows and setting up everything. If the display is connected trough the DP cable, I don't get anything on the screen, until the system boots into Windows, then everything works fine. Anyone can figure this one out?
Part 3: Initial usage experience.
It's hard to say anything after using the system for maybe 4 hours, it's not like a night and day difference, I only went from 6 to 8 cores. But this is the "turing test" for AMD. How stable it is, how many compatibility issues I encounter. If it's bad I'm packing it in and selling everything. If it's good I'm upgrading to a 3950x later.
I need more time to draw any meaningful conclusions, but the first game I ran, actually ran like shit. Half the FPS I was getting with the 6800k. I don't know why was that happening, and why on one specific map for that matter. Apart from that the only thing I ran was Cinebench 20. I didn't write down the score unfortunately.
Does it ever end? The frustration? Not yet. As I decided to update the BIOS. This was the longest and most nerve wrecking bios update I ever did. It didn't just take ages. The system was stuck in a boot loop for ten minutes after. I was already fearing the worst:"That's it I, have to RMA this shit, and due to waiting weeks for a 3900x the replacement warranty on the MB has already expired before I even started this build"
But then after turning itself on and off a lot it finally booted up like nothing happened. ?! And no, the new BIOS didn't change the DP issue, the post screen is still only visible when using HDMI.
Part 4: Overclocking made easy
First thing I did was to set the memory speed to the timing it is rated at from factory. I know this is not technically OCing, but it is to me, because in the past 13 years with Intel I had more than one build where I never even could get close to the factory memory speed. If I could run it at the rated speed that was the exception to the rule. And with AMD's reputation of being picky with RAM, I didn't expect for it to just work. But it does. Didn't try OCing ram yet, might try later, but I'm not a believer in the art. It yields negligible returns after a lot of frustrating trials.
Then I downloaded the Ryzen Master utility. First it seemed confusing, but it only took 2 minutes to figure out how it works, and I have to say this is the easiest overclocking has been for me. And this is the first time I can actually do it on the fly. Previous attempts at that always failed so I always had to resort to the old fashioned set the desired clock from bios then see if it boots method. Not anymore. The utility sets the clock and voltage on the fly, and even has some basic stability test (not very reliable but for a quick test it is OK)
I don't want to jinx it, but it seems finally I had better luck on the silicon lottery. I went to 4400 all core, in like 5 minutes. And currently sitting there, I don't want to spoil it yet with a failure. It might go further it might not, but 4400 is already good for a 3700x from what I saw in reviews. Especially on air.
So that's all for now. If you read to the end, then I salute you, I hope it was less frustrating to read than it was to experience.
Part 1: The Buildup
I didn't know whether to post this here on in the build log thread, but I think it has more to do with the platform and the MB than being about the actual build process. Besides I already posted a build log with my current case, and this time I'm not getting a new case because I like what I have for the first time. Not that it is perfect, but it's a compromise I can live with. Small footprint but terrible to work on, tight spaces everywhere.
Now I'm already going off on a tangent when I said this isn't about the case. So back on topic. After 13 years of building my primary rig exclusively on INTEL, with Ryzen 3000 i've decided to go back. My last AMD build was an Athlon 64 3000+ that I retired in 2006. I was actually on the fence many times about getting a Threadripper 1920x, but never actually pulled the trigger. I hope I've made the right decision.
And while we are at decisions, this is not the PC I wanted! I decided even before the launch of the 3000 series that my CPU will be the 3900x, but after almost a month of looking at listings, pre-ordering, then cancelling, and pushing around of delivery dates I said fuck it, and got a 3700x instead.
Why not the 3800x? Two reasons: For an 8core the 3800x is overpriced, and it seems to me that if you're going to OC it is all about silicon lottery between these two. And hell yes I'm going to OC. Not that I had much luck on the lottery recently. My 6800k which was only rock solid at 4125 is an abysmal testament to this.
So, first thing first. The board. I wanted the x570 platform, because if I'm spending on a new build I don't want an old platform, I want the best. Is the 570 overpriced? Well if you look at it as a consumer platform, it is. Very much. But to me this is replacing a HEDT system, and IMO Ryzen 3000 can and is competing with INTEL's HEDT lineup. And then it's not the board that is overpriced, it is the CPU that is cheap.
I needed SLI, becuase I have dual GTX1080s, so that automatically excluded everything bellow $300. My final choice was made for me, not by me. I ended up with an ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F Gaming. I wanted a new NVME system SSD for my new build, and this one came with an 512GB SSD for free. That was a deal I could not refuse.
As for RAM I didn't need new memories as I could've used the modules from my X99. 4x8GB G.Skill Ripjaws V. They are decent mid range modules at CL15 / 3000. But with RAM prices excepted to go up I decided to buy while they're down for the count. So I got a HYPERX Predator 2x16GB CL13 / 2666 kit. I hope I can get some OC out of it.
Part 2: The Build
This is the frustrating part. Since not using a new case first I had to evacuate my old system. That bit already took close to 2 hours. And that's far from being the end of my frustrations. I installed the ram, the cpu and the cooler out of case as usual. This turned out to be a grave mistake. As it was impossible to connect the CPU power connector with the NH-D15 in place. So I took off the cooler, which ripped the CPU out of the socket. It was stuck on so hard that it took quite an effort to peel off from the cold plate. The AM4 retaining bracket is flimsy as hell, it barely holds the cpu, which might be a good thing, otherwise it might have ripped out pins.
It took me about 6 hours to fit everything in the case, and connect everything how I wanted, I won't go into details on that but by the time I finished my patience was wearing thin. But the worst was yet to come.
First attempt at powering on: Nothing happens. Pressing the power button again, nothing. I was thinking the CPU might have been damaged after all when it was pulled out from the socket. But it wasn't that. Thanks to the crammed space and the fact that I didn't really see what I was doing, it turned out that I connected the power switch to the wrong pins.
That's a relief. After connecting it the right way, the fans spun up, RGB lighting flashing, but on the display: No signal.
Might I have forgotten something? I've spent hours troubleshooting, still no signal. Tried with both GPUs, and with each installed by itself, to no avail. At this point I was so confused that I had to look up on the net if the Ryzen 3000 might have an integrated GPU that overrides the dedicated ones, but of course no.
Then I turned to the onboard diagnostic leds. Not much help, but it shows which component is stopping the post. And according to the QLED display the Post is completed successfully, and the system is already in the boot state. But then why is there nothing on the screen?
In my utter frustration I've tried the system with the Ripjaws, no change. Then I look at the recommended DIMM population order in the manual, and it turns out, ASUS recommends using slots A2 and B2 if you're using two DIMMs, who the fuck does that? Why aren't A1 and B1 the primary slots?
And it turned out to be terrible advice anyway since when I installed the memory into A2 and B2, the system didn't even get past the RAM test according to the LEDs. Good job ASUS.
So what was the solution? Because there was a solution. Well actually more like workaround. Connect the display using HDMI, instead of DP. WTF? Why? How? If I connect using DP, the monitor turns off and goes into sleep. If I use the HDMI, the post screen actually shows.
I'm still at that point after installing windows and setting up everything. If the display is connected trough the DP cable, I don't get anything on the screen, until the system boots into Windows, then everything works fine. Anyone can figure this one out?
Part 3: Initial usage experience.
It's hard to say anything after using the system for maybe 4 hours, it's not like a night and day difference, I only went from 6 to 8 cores. But this is the "turing test" for AMD. How stable it is, how many compatibility issues I encounter. If it's bad I'm packing it in and selling everything. If it's good I'm upgrading to a 3950x later.
I need more time to draw any meaningful conclusions, but the first game I ran, actually ran like shit. Half the FPS I was getting with the 6800k. I don't know why was that happening, and why on one specific map for that matter. Apart from that the only thing I ran was Cinebench 20. I didn't write down the score unfortunately.
Does it ever end? The frustration? Not yet. As I decided to update the BIOS. This was the longest and most nerve wrecking bios update I ever did. It didn't just take ages. The system was stuck in a boot loop for ten minutes after. I was already fearing the worst:"That's it I, have to RMA this shit, and due to waiting weeks for a 3900x the replacement warranty on the MB has already expired before I even started this build"
But then after turning itself on and off a lot it finally booted up like nothing happened. ?! And no, the new BIOS didn't change the DP issue, the post screen is still only visible when using HDMI.
Part 4: Overclocking made easy
First thing I did was to set the memory speed to the timing it is rated at from factory. I know this is not technically OCing, but it is to me, because in the past 13 years with Intel I had more than one build where I never even could get close to the factory memory speed. If I could run it at the rated speed that was the exception to the rule. And with AMD's reputation of being picky with RAM, I didn't expect for it to just work. But it does. Didn't try OCing ram yet, might try later, but I'm not a believer in the art. It yields negligible returns after a lot of frustrating trials.
Then I downloaded the Ryzen Master utility. First it seemed confusing, but it only took 2 minutes to figure out how it works, and I have to say this is the easiest overclocking has been for me. And this is the first time I can actually do it on the fly. Previous attempts at that always failed so I always had to resort to the old fashioned set the desired clock from bios then see if it boots method. Not anymore. The utility sets the clock and voltage on the fly, and even has some basic stability test (not very reliable but for a quick test it is OK)
I don't want to jinx it, but it seems finally I had better luck on the silicon lottery. I went to 4400 all core, in like 5 minutes. And currently sitting there, I don't want to spoil it yet with a failure. It might go further it might not, but 4400 is already good for a 3700x from what I saw in reviews. Especially on air.
So that's all for now. If you read to the end, then I salute you, I hope it was less frustrating to read than it was to experience.
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