AMD based server build

[Wopin]

Hello MarcelNL,

 

Thanks for opening this new thread, this will be the first time I write in the forum and it encourages me to tell you that I would be one of those interested in having a separate thread specializing in AMD. I think it is worth it. 

 

I'll tell you my experience, which is little and recent.
After months of studying this and other dedicated forums I created in November my first DIY music server based on AMD.
I made the decision to use an AMD APU because I also want to use the server as a video player to watch 4K/60Hz content.

 

This is the setup I currently have:

AMD Ryzen™ 7 PRO 4750G 45-65W
Gigabyte X570S AERO G (just put in yesterday, replaces Asus Pro WS X570-ACE which has the problem of having a fan on the southbridge and is very noisy)
4 x Apacer D31.23185S.001 4GB
HP Intel Optane SSD 905P 380GB NVMe SSD
JCAT NET Card FEMTO
Ghentaudio Neotech UPOCC Copper 18AWG ATX
Ghentaudio Neotech 7N Copper 18AWG CPU 8P-8P
HDPLEX 400W HiFi DC-ATX Converter
HDPLEX H5 2nd Gen Fanless PC Case
Windows 10 LTSC

 

About BIOS parameters, right now I've changed just the right ones:
SMT OFF (Hyperthreading)
Turbo OFF 
C State OFF
Disable all components that use the southbridge (WIFI, SATA, LAN, Bluetooth, HD Audio)

 

Today I did a test and I like the result with the new board. It sounds as good as the asus and I even think it will sound better in the future when I finish burn in as I have changed also the CPU and ATX cables.

That's all for now.

 

[Wopin]

I would love to be able to compare with another server built with Intel Xeon but it is impossible for me.

I remember that the NVME Optane didn't work the first time on the Asus motherboard. I had to change some parameters but I don't remember which one.

With the gigabyte I didn't have to do anything, it recognized it without changing anything in the bios.

 

It is very likely that the Darkforce NVME femto clock sounds better than Optane.

I normally use a NAS via ethernet but transferring my favourite music to the Optane and using the rewrite data software I noticed an improvement in SQ. 
I would like in the future to get another optane pci express to store the music there as I have read that it is better to have the music on a hard drive that is not the same as the OS. But is very expensive.

 

I'm sure there are more people using AMD. I hope more people will join us.

[Wopin]

20 hours ago, MarcelNL said:

if you can try a Ryzen 9 for sound, I found the jump is massive, as if you zoom in on all music AND get double the dynamics somehow. it sounds SO vibrant yet musically organic that I'm a convert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, MarcelNL said:

anyway , let me describe my current situation:

 

AMD Ryzen 9 3900x

Aorus Master

Corsair AX1200i (fan never kicks in)

Pink Faun I2S OCXO on LPS

Apacer 4*4Gb D31.23185S.001

Samsung Evo Plus 1Tb

DIY Neotech UPOCC 18AWG solid core in PVC (I avoid teflon when possible, would love neotech in silk or cotton) ATX

DIY Neotech UPOCC 18AWG solid core in PVC 8PIN EPS (need another one, cable is on its way)

Daphile latest RT kernel loaded in RAM, cores set to max speed, filter, linear filter, steep filter, bitperfect

 

need to verify the BIOS but I recall switching all the LED bling off and:

Turbo off,

networks off

Audio off

SATA off

manual fan scheme for both fans

rest I need to verify

 

The passive cooling is waiting on finding a large enough heatsink to attach the heat pipe kit to.

 

 

 

I would love to try a ryzen 9 5900x but I would lose the ability to have video output. I think I'll wait for the zen 4 generation.
Have you considered powering the pc with an lps? That gave me a sq increase. 
As soon as I can I'll post some images of my bios so I can compare parameters with you.

[Wopin]

I see that unregulated LPS are the latest fad on the forum. 
About constant power consumption, I think it all depends on the work done by the CPU. Yes, put in the bios a constant speed and voltages but the cpu will consume less if you do nothing and more if you are doing some kind of work on it.

It's on demand.

 

By the way, have you tried any m2 to pcie adapter?

 

https://www.newegg.com/riitop-model-ngftpce-bk-pci-express-controller-card/p/17Z-0061-00018?Description=m.2 pcie adapter&cm_re=m.2_pcie adapter-_-9SIA6V85HC8902-_-Product

I don't know about adding a second hard drive like yours to store the music. I have a NAS with which I receive music and it sounds great, but I don't know if it will sound a bit better with something like that. Music from the optane does sound better but it's the one I use as a hard drive for the OS.

 

[Wopin]

13 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

What benefit do you get turning turbo off?
How do you connect to it by turning networks off?
Audio off seems ok, does it make any difference?
SATA off? Then I would have no HDDs and no music...
Manual fan? 

The main reason for disabling audio, sata, bluetooth, on board lan... Is the overall consumption of the system. The lower the power consumption, the lower the noise, the less jitter is generated and the better it sounds. It is always advisable to disable what you don't use. 

 

By the way Marce, do you use Minority Clean?

[Wopin]

I found this to make undervolt to amd ryzen. 

I will do some test this weekend. 

 

https://sff.life/how-to-undervolt-ryzen-cpu/

[Wopin]

Yesterday I changed 3 parameters inside the BIOS:

 

- PPT: My CPU has a TDP of 65W and has a default PPT of 88W. I manually set a value of 50W.
- TDP: My CPU has an unlocked TDP and I can vary it between 45-65W. I was able to change this value in the BIOS, which let me choose between 4 options. 35W, 45W and two 65W. I have chosen the 35W option but I have not been able to check if it is being effective. I've run some tests and it doesn't lock up but I haven't found any software that tells me it's working that way. 
- Spread spectrum: I've disabled it by looking at all the opinions I've found on the forum and on the web.

 

I think with these changes I will notice an improvement in the SQ but I have to do some tests this weekend. I'm going to try to buy a wall watt meter today to see if I can lower the overall CPU consumption. I will also do some temperature tests as with the simple ones I did yesterday the temperature went up to 55 degrees max.

 

I'm glad that the Femto NVME works well. I wish someone who has a last generation optane could compare them.

[Wopin]

After a few tests, I have found that by changing the value of ppt and tdp at the same time, ppt does nothing. So in the end I just changed the TDP value to 35W. 

 

On my motherboard it is here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the ryzen master program I have been able to verify that the ppt drops to almost half.

 

TDP 65W:

TDP 35W:

 

On Monday I'll get the power meter and I'll be able to see how much difference there is between the 65W and 35W settings.

 

[Wopin]

Hi Andrew,

 

Before I answer I'll give you my opinion. Normally when you start buying parts to build a sound system you don't take into account the music source, where the music is going to be picked up from. It is normal, in the end to be able to listen to music you need speakers, cables and an amplifier. Normally this is always more than the budget you can afford.

 

In my case, I have already made several changes since I bought my current stereo. I have mainly changed cables, expecting a big change in sound quality, but what was really a big change was to set up my music server. Setting up a serious music server makes a huge change in sound quality.

 

I'm going to try to answer all your questions, I'm sure most of the things I say will agree with Marce.

 

- I don't think a transported CD sounds better than a music server. All the friends I know who are audiophiles have started with a CD or SACD player and eventually moved to a music server storing their songs in FLAC or WAV. I've never had one so I can't say.

 

- It is true that a less watt consuming device generates less noise and jitter but logically it is not going to generate such a round sound. You have to look for something in between and also try not to include fans.

 

About a server with your budget:

- Yes, I would prioritise a processor and a motherboard, and that the motherboard doesn't have any fans.

- The form factor of the motherboard matters. You have to keep in mind that it is best to take advantage of the direct connections that the processor gives you. Normally today's processors have RAM controllers, NVME hard drives, 2 PCIe, some usb ports and maybe something else, and it is highly recommended to know and use those ports as they provide higher bandwidth and better sound quality. The rest of the ports are controlled by the southbridge and that in principle offer a worse sound quality. If you choose an ITX motherboard you will have less ports and it is less upgradeable in the future. If you use an ATX motherboard you have more ports and it is more upgradeable in the future. My recommendation is to use server or workstation motherboards because they use a higher number of power phases. The more the better.

 

https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/workstation/filter?Series=Workstation

 

https://www.gigabyte.com/Search?kw=vision#Products-2-1

 

- Dual Channel is always better.

 

- You can start with 8GB but I do recommend you spend a little more to buy APACER industrial RAM.

 

- On PSU, if you can't afford a LPS I recommend you look for silverstone, seasonic or enermax fanless models.

 

- You can start with a high capacity nvme from samsung for example. I have an Optane 905p but it cost me almost 500 euros. I'm not sure yet if the price premium was worth it but what's done is done.

 

Another option you have is for example to buy a nuc, put ram memory and NVME, an akasa fanless case and a LPS to power it. This could be within your budget but it is not upgradeable at all.