Setting up the test configuration:
Here’s a list of the various components that equip our test platform. For the publication of these tests, I used the latest BIOS received directly from AMD, version 0506. The motherboard is not a mainstream model, and BIOS updates are a little less frequent than on the motherboards we’re used to reviewing. Nevertheless, ASUS has provided us with several BIOS for testing this motherboard.
- Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS TRX50-Sage Wi-Fi
- Processor: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X and 7970X
- Memory: 128 GB Zeta R5 NEO DDR5-6400 CL32
- Graphics card: MSI GT710
- Cooling system: waterblock EK-Quantum Velocity sTR4 chiller Alphacool Eiszeit 2000
- SSD: Western Digital SN850 NVMe SSD M.2
- Power supply: be quiet! Dark Power PRO 12 1500w
- Operating system: Windows 11 64-bit
Installing AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors:
As you may have noticed from the motherboard presentation, the sTR5 socket on our ASUS Pro WS TRX50-Sage Wi-Fi is very different from what we’re used to seeing on consumer motherboards. It does, however, resemble socket sTR4, and the installation procedure is identical. The first step is to open the socket using the tool provided with the Ryzen Threadripper processor. Just look at the order in which the socket is loosened , i.e. 3-2-1. Each nut is numbered.
Once the three screws have been loosened, simply lift the retaining frame. Next, a second frame is raised, into which a protective plastic cover is slid. Underneath this is a second cover, designed to prevent damage to the socket pins.
Our Ryzen Threadripper processor is inserted into an orange plastic frame as soon as it comes out of the box. As you can see, we’re going to place our processor in place of the protective plastic frame. If the frame is properly installed, when you place it on the socket, it will stay in place.
Once the socket is in place, tighten the three nuts in reverse order, i.e. 1-2-3. Now our Ryzen Threadripper 7980X is in place, we just need to brush it with Noctua NH1 thermal paste and fit our EK-Quantum Velocity sTR4 waterblock.
