The Square Things
We see that the processor's heat spreader is significantly larger than a normal CPU water block. But for our first tests, we'll feed the Alphacool XPX waterblock with a chiller.
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
The Round Things
AMD includes a bracket for round Asetek pumps, and you can also use it with many AIO compact water coolers. The AIO's usable area on the heatspreader is even smaller, but we're optimistic that it will work (for the time being). After all, AMD has decided to provide us with a 360 radiator, which should help to maximize the small cooling footprint. We've already posted exclusive schematics of the TR4 socket, which outlines some of the challenges associated with cooling the massive processors.
There are also a number of new air coolers on the market (Noctua's got a few beastly models), but it's only a matter of time until we see special "Threadripper Edition" TR4 watercoolers that make contact with the entire IHS.
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
Hands-On Testing
Now that we know the official combat weight, we provide the promised hands-on test. As you can see, our hand is on it.
In time, we will cover the rest in detail, as usual. We promise.
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
Into The Socket
You won't find Intel's expensive latches on this X399 motherboard. Instead, Socket TR4 has three Torx screws and two frames. The new mounting mechanism is much more refined than previous designs; you simply slot the CPU right into a carrier frame and tighten it down. Head over to MSI's video of the Threadripper installation procedure in the TR4 socket for more detail.
AMD also hid a 512GB M.2 Samsung Pro SSD under the motherboard's heatsink. That's yet another nice touch—provided you know it's there. If you don't, you will be greeted with unexplained HDD error messages on the motherboard's LED screen; these are seemingly not correctable. That might trigger a bit of anxiety until you figure it out.
Not that we would know.
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
Extra-Large-Grid-Array
If you like, you can count how many pins you see here. If you're in a hurry, though, it is 4,094...
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
Now That's Tight
The processor is locked in, tightened down, and bomb-proof. There shouldn't be any contact problems.
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
Finished, For Now
And that's it for now. If you've got an appetite for more, we'll reveal the purpose behind this unboxing soon enough, so please be patient. August 10 is only seven days away...
MORE: Best CPUs
MORE: Threadripper Lands August 10, AMD Unveils Pricing, Accessory Kit, New 8-Core Model
MORE: Exclusive Threadripper Socket TR4 Schematics, Cooler Compatibility
