[jvinuales]

Hi everyone!

Looking at buying a CFD workstation with genoa EPYC. I am running mainly openFOAM, so no limitation by number of cores. My budget is around 10k€.

I saw in the post about genoa epyc recommendations that 9354, 9454 and 9554 are recommended.

I think my budget allows for the 64 cores configuration with 9554-P, is this still a recommended set-up? I am not sure I understand if for my case is there any benefit to going 9554 over 9554P (other than being more expensive)?

Any other recommendations are welcome.

Regards,

Javier

[L C]

Hi Javier, the P version means it is a single socket configuration that cannot be mounted on a multi-CPU motherboard. So if you're planning to do a single socket setup, you can choose whichever one is cheaper for you.

[jvinuales]

Ok, that is what I thought. That would be the best configuration for me. Thanks!

[naffrancois]

Hello,

If your budget allows it you should really consider dual-socket solutions, for example 2x9354. You would have much more memory bandwidth which would greatly benefit openfoam simulation times.

Unless you plan to add a second 9554 later on a bi-socket motherboard. If you choose a P version, you will have to stick with a single socket platform.

[jvinuales]

Thanks for your reply. Do you know anyone offering a dual-socket build for workstations in Europe?

At the moment, I was considering Delta Computer in Germany. I got a workstation from them in the past which I am pretty happy with. However, they do not offer dual-socket for the latest Genoa processors yet.

[JBeilke]

Originally Posted by jvinuales

Thanks for your reply. Do you know anyone offering a dual-socket build for workstations in Europe?

At the moment, I was considering Delta Computer in Germany. I got a workstation from them in the past which I am pretty happy with. However, they do not offer dual-socket for the latest Genoa processors yet.

Did you ask them directly? It looks like a bug on their homepage since all the previous models are also missing.

[naffrancois]

Originally Posted by jvinuales

Thanks for your reply. Do you know anyone offering a dual-socket build for workstations in Europe?

At the moment, I was considering Delta Computer in Germany. I got a workstation from them in the past which I am pretty happy with. However, they do not offer dual-socket for the latest Genoa processors yet.

In France, some weeks ago I asked for a genoa dual socket to the 2crsi company and they could do it.

[L C]

Just some thoughts, if you plan to upgrade later you could buy a dual socket motherboard and install only one processor now. However, I couldn't find any information on whether these motherboards would be compatible with the upcoming processors, at least I wouldn't count on it.

I am also considering (more like daydreaming about) building a single socket workstation, in my case it's for my personal projects so horsepower is not my highest priority. Even if I had made up my mind already, availability of Genoa motherboards in Europe is basically non-existent today (only if you pre-order a complete system).

[jvinuales]

Thanks for you comments.

If going for a single-socket solution, is the memory-band very limiting for the performance of the 9554-P? Should I limit myself in this case to a lower number of processors due to this aspect (and save some budget)?

Regards,

Javier

[ym92]

Originally Posted by jvinuales

Thanks for you comments.

If going for a single-socket solution, is the memory-band very limiting for the performance of the 9554-P? Should I limit myself in this case to a lower number of processors due to this aspect (and save some budget)?

Regards,

Javier

We have a (dual) 9474F setup and I think it's not memory bandwith limited, at least all cores run with 4.1GHz boost. In another setup we have, clock speed always reduces to base clock, when memory bandwith limit is reached. However, I use star-ccm+ and not OpenFOAM.

Of course 9554/9554-P has a bit more cores and might reach the limit but probably this processor has quite a good balance between cores and memory bandwith (would be interested in benchmarks ). Also, regarding memory bandwith limitation, one or dual socket doesn't really change anything, as dual socket has double memory bandwith but also twice the cores...