The EPYC boards simplify things greatly. You don't need to mess around in the BIOS setting sixteen different parameters to get the optimum results out of the cpu-motherboard combo.
With Epyc, you just install the memory and the cpu and just run it. No BIOS configuration changes needed for the most part as the cpu and the memory determine the performance levels achieved alone.
There is no overclocking. Just pick the cpu that has the number of cores desired for your application at the highest base and boost clocks that are spec'd for the cpu and the highest memory speed RDIMMS that the cpu and motherboard platform support. Done deal.
As Ian, mentioned there are great used parts deals at Ebay from reputable server parts dealers. The ROME motherboards are very reasonable in cost. The MILAN boards are still pricy, but they market at the midpoint of the price range of the Threadripper boards. So in that aspect, a good deal for the other included advantages like baseband video and remote monitoring and access along with as many PCIE lanes as the server cpus offer with great multi-gpu support.
Keith - if I can bug you a bit with a server board newbie question - or anyone else of course.
How do you go about setting up multi lanes and physical connections to several gpus from a typical Epyc server board? Don't want you to write a manual just hoping maybe you could steer me to some links or ??
I bet my solar farm is too wimpy but I was just wondering.. Looking back a bit I'm paying attention to what users like Ian have posted as well. I tend to think along the same lines as you when it comes to some of these relative deals on used hardware.
It's easy. Just plug any card into any slot that fits. Every slot has all 16 PCIE lanes from the cpu on the Milan cpu and motherboards. X16/X16/X16/X16/X16/X16/X16
The Rome boards are wired X16/X8/X16/X8/X16/X8/X16 so for a standard double wide card you get full sixteen lanes also. But the X8 slots are open so fit X16 length cards also with no issues.
Any slot can be bifurcated if necesary in the BIOS simply by selecting the configuration you want.
Most boards have at least 2 M.2 slots, several SATA headers on breakout cables that support 16 drives. The only weak spot is the lack of many USB ports. Normally only 2-3 ports on the I/O plate. But if you need more USB, you can always plug in USB PCIe host card for more. Or use a USB hub on one of the native USB ports.
I know some people do not like Dell pc's, they are not the fastest but for me they are reliable and that's what's most important to me when buying outlet laptops, just be aware that not all of them are upgradable beyond the ram that they come with. My sister-in-law bought one with soldered on ram and no extra slots so it is what it is, fortunately she's happy with it.
I have brand spanking new Super Micro MB. And the the VRM's are getting "alarmingly" hot. A small floor fan is keeping the temperature below alarming levels. That may not be a good permanent solution.
I have some spare radiator/case fans. And I have a server liquid cooler coming back in.
Since the MB will be standing upright.
How/where should I put the vrm fan(s) at? Just below the vrm radiator strip blowing up?
Tom M
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)
Makes sense. Proper airflow is based on movement. Blowing down onto the motherboard just splashes air into a brick wall. Best to get air moving ACROSS the motherboard to carry the heat away from the VRM heatsink.
The EPYC boards simplify
)
The EPYC boards simplify things greatly. You don't need to mess around in the BIOS setting sixteen different parameters to get the optimum results out of the cpu-motherboard combo.
With Epyc, you just install the memory and the cpu and just run it. No BIOS configuration changes needed for the most part as the cpu and the memory determine the performance levels achieved alone.
There is no overclocking. Just pick the cpu that has the number of cores desired for your application at the highest base and boost clocks that are spec'd for the cpu and the highest memory speed RDIMMS that the cpu and motherboard platform support. Done deal.
As Ian, mentioned there are great used parts deals at Ebay from reputable server parts dealers. The ROME motherboards are very reasonable in cost. The MILAN boards are still pricy, but they market at the midpoint of the price range of the Threadripper boards. So in that aspect, a good deal for the other included advantages like baseband video and remote monitoring and access along with as many PCIE lanes as the server cpus offer with great multi-gpu support.
Keith - if I can bug you a
)
Keith - if I can bug you a bit with a server board newbie question - or anyone else of course.
How do you go about setting up multi lanes and physical connections to several gpus from a typical Epyc server board? Don't want you to write a manual just hoping maybe you could steer me to some links or ??
I bet my solar farm is too wimpy but I was just wondering.. Looking back a bit I'm paying attention to what users like Ian have posted as well. I tend to think along the same lines as you when it comes to some of these relative deals on used hardware.
cheers!
Mike, You just plug them
)
Mike,
You just plug them in. If they give you any trouble set the pcie speed manually. I use gen 3 on my ASRock rome MB's.
Tom M
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)
It's easy. Just plug any
)
It's easy. Just plug any card into any slot that fits. Every slot has all 16 PCIE lanes from the cpu on the Milan cpu and motherboards. X16/X16/X16/X16/X16/X16/X16
The Rome boards are wired X16/X8/X16/X8/X16/X8/X16 so for a standard double wide card you get full sixteen lanes also. But the X8 slots are open so fit X16 length cards also with no issues.
Any slot can be bifurcated if necesary in the BIOS simply by selecting the configuration you want.
Most boards have at least 2 M.2 slots, several SATA headers on breakout cables that support 16 drives. The only weak spot is the lack of many USB ports. Normally only 2-3 ports on the I/O plate. But if you need more USB, you can always plug in USB PCIe host card for more. Or use a USB hub on one of the native USB ports.
I may be in the market for a
)
I may be in the market for a laptop that is less than 4 years old.
It would be for a developers class this fall.
It needs windows 10 pro or later. 16 gb ram, at least 512 mb ssd, good keyboard. As large a screen as can afford
Budget is probably $500 or less.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you.
Tom M
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)
Tom M wrote: I may be in the
)
I've always liked the Dell sale site https://www.dell.com/en-us/dfh/lp/outlet-deals?ref=cpcl_lp-us-outlet-tab-deals-item10_cta_secondaryv2_laptopdeals#Laptop-Deals
I know some people do not like Dell pc's, they are not the fastest but for me they are reliable and that's what's most important to me when buying outlet laptops, just be aware that not all of them are upgradable beyond the ram that they come with. My sister-in-law bought one with soldered on ram and no extra slots so it is what it is, fortunately she's happy with it.
I have brand spanking new
)
I have brand spanking new Super Micro MB. And the the VRM's are getting "alarmingly" hot. A small floor fan is keeping the temperature below alarming levels. That may not be a good permanent solution.
I have some spare radiator/case fans. And I have a server liquid cooler coming back in.
Since the MB will be standing upright.
How/where should I put the vrm fan(s) at? Just below the vrm radiator strip blowing up?
Tom M
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)
Makes sense. Proper airflow
)
Makes sense. Proper airflow is based on movement. Blowing down onto the motherboard just splashes air into a brick wall. Best to get air moving ACROSS the motherboard to carry the heat away from the VRM heatsink.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3949
)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/394964303577?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=l10oSJrpQNa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=PAS42sWPTnG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Except for the smaller size are there any other benefits to this MB?
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)
nope. it's size is really the
)
nope. it's size is really the only selling point for someone who wants to use a mATX case.
looks non-standard for mATX though. slightly longer (nearing 5-slot length) so might not fit in some true mATX cases i think.
it's also only 6ch memory instead of the full 8ch supported by those CPUs.
too expensive for what it is IMO. EPYCD8 can be had cheaper, is std ATX size, has 7 slots, and all 8ch mem.
get the ROMED8 if you want Milan support.
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