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Need recommendations for a workstation build

B

bash64

n00b
Joined
Apr 29, 2017
Messages
6
Hello,

I am on my 3rd MSI gaming laptop and laptops just won't cut it for me anymore.
I am into long and heavy video processing using h.264.
I also do large zip file builds.
I'd also like to get into rendering.

I'd like recommendations on a ryzen build and amd video cards.

I need at least two video cards (non crossfire), three video cards would be ideal.
16 cpus minimum (8 cores, 2 threads per core is fine).
32gb of ram or more...
9 drives (2 for raid mirror, 5 for raid 5, 2 for hot spares).
Gaming is only a secondary issue. I assume it will game.
I do NOT overclock. Ever. Turbo boost is ok if its a factory option.
Must run cool for long periods of time under a heavy load.
I hear that ryzen can run hot at 85c, but somehow this is not harmful.
My experience with Intel and heat has not been good. Gets way too hot under a heavy load.

AES support in the cpu is mandatory.
IOMMU (vt-d, amd virtualization, whatever they call it) is mandatory.

Looking to spend up to $3000 (without monitors).
Not doing 4k. 1080p is fine. Already have one 27" 1080p monitor.

I use Linux exclusively, though I can run windows using virtual machine software (qemu w/gpu passthrough or vmware).

Questions:
What about this 3200mhz (2 sticks) vs 2400mhz (4 sticks) ram for ryzen? I prefer speed.
What about amd firepro cards for rendering? I hear openCL is not as good as CUDA. Should I go nvidia instead?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
And, yes, you can tell me Intel is better if you want.
 
Sounds like you need the power, so might as well go with the R7 1800X. Mine runs really cool with the Corsair H110i AIO water cooler. I can idle on Windows at 27C and even under load only around 51C (Cinebench) or 45C while gaming. The chip can safely go up to around 75C, but with an AIO cooler and no OC you won't have to worry.

32GB of RAM is fine, however most of the sticks out there won't run at full speed at that size. I was able to get 2400 out of box, and 2667 with some tweaking. RAM compatibility has improved in the last month, so maybe that is no longer a huge issue.

On the other points, I'm not really sure but I believe Ryzen has all the modern CPU features available. I don't mess much with VMs so I can't confirm myself.
 
VMware is problematic with Ryzen at the moment. Hopefully VMware will fix this soon. Ryzen kills on Linux though based upon what I have read. That's not hands on experience speaking though.
 
Ryzen's problem with VMWare, currently, is restricted to ESXi. So if you're not doing that, you should have no problems spinning up VMs. If you *are* using ESXi, then there are workarounds, but they will cost you some performance (serverthehome has the fix documented here: https://www.servethehome.com/amd-ryzen-working-with-vmware-esxi-6-5/ ). AFAIK, VMWare ESXi updates that will fix this won't be coming until Naples hits the shelves. Expect version 6.5's comaptibility update to address this compatibility issue. Since AMD-V is present in Ryzen, it will be fine when the update is released. More details here: https://www.hardocp.com/news/2017/03/06/amd_ryzen_vmware_esxi_pink_screen_death

Outside of that, Ryzen works fantastically for local virtual machines. The extra cores help a lot. I run them all the time for my development work, as it's easier to just spin up virtual machines on the same box rather than have an entirely different box. But that really only works if you have cores to spare without dragging down your IDE, and anything else you're running. Quads just don't cut it like they used to for heavy dev work involving VMs.
 
Thanks for the responses. Glad to hear Ryzen and linux work well together.
I do not use ESXi. I just use the standard vmware player/workstation copy.
I also use qemu with gpu passthrough.
Kernel 4.10 supports ryzens cpus properly and I have already upgraded to it.
Looking forward to seeing the performance times for video conversions.
I mainly use ffmpeg from a terminal but I also use Handbrake.
I want at least two hd controllers, maybe 3.
Gotta find a motherboard that supports two video cards and enough slots to allow for maybe 2-3 other cards.
 
bash64 said:
Thanks for the responses. Glad to hear Ryzen and linux work well together.
I do not use ESXi. I just use the standard vmware player/workstation copy.
I also use qemu with gpu passthrough.
Kernel 4.10 supports ryzens cpus properly and I have already upgraded to it.
Looking forward to seeing the performance times for video conversions.
I mainly use ffmpeg from a terminal but I also use Handbrake.
I want at least two hd controllers, maybe 3.
Gotta find a motherboard that supports two video cards and enough slots to allow for maybe 2-3 other cards.
Click to expand...


You might want to post in the AMD MoBos section.
 
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