AMD-powered, liquid-cooled Comino Grando AI server under review, but I still can’t see an octo Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU configuration
- 96-core ThreadRipper was paired with two Nvidia H100 NVL GPUs with 188 GB of memory
- Last month, Comino announced it was taking pre-orders for Nvidia’s next-generation GPU
- Comino unveiled an AMD workstation with six RTX 4090 GPUs in early 2024
Comino, known for its liquid-cooled systems, recently released the Grando H100 Server, a powerful solution tailored for AI and HPC workloads.
This new model is equipped with an AMD Threadripper PRO 7995WX processor, with 96 cores and 192 threads. Based on AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, the CPU supports up to 2TB DDR5 memory, providing generous bandwidth for large-scale data processing and computing tasks.
In this configuration, the processor is paired with dual Nvidia H100 NVL GPUs, each equipped with 94 GB of memory, for a whopping 188 GB of GPU memory. The system is built around the ASUS SAGE WRX90 motherboard, which offers plenty of PCIe Gen5 lanes for GPUs and fast storage.
An excellent choice for companies and professionals
To maintain optimal thermal performance, the Grando H100 features Comino’s advanced liquid cooling system. It features a centralized water block and quick couplings, simplifying maintenance and minimizing the risk of leakage.
This efficient cooling design not only ensures stability under heavy workloads, but also operates with reduced noise. For business reliability, the server features four redundant 1600W power supplies.
Storage assessmentwhich earlier this year tested Comino’s Grando Server and a workstation with six RTX 4090 GPUs and described them as “prime examples of GPU-powered performance systems done right,” benchmarked the new server and came away with mixed results.
As you’d expect, the Grando H100 excelled at AI-driven computing workflows and CPU-intensive tasks. In tests such as Blender’s multi-core rendering, 7-Zip compression, and Y-Cruncher, it easily outperformed competing systems. However, the system’s performance in traditional rendering benchmarks such as Luxmark and OctaneBench left the server lagging behind systems equipped with GPUs optimized for those tasks.
In summary, his findings: Storage assessment commented: “Overall, the Comino Grando H100 is an excellent choice for businesses and professionals who prioritize AI optimization, computing tasks and reliability in demanding environments. The unique design and cooling innovations provide flexibility and performance for AI-driven workloads. However, alternative configurations such as the RTX 4090-equipped Grando Server or RTX 6000 Ada-powered systems may be more suitable for users focused on traditional GPU rendering.”
We’re still eagerly awaiting a review of the Grando Server equipped with eight Nvidia RTX 5090 GPUswhich Comino previously announced and is taking pre-orders for, but unfortunately there are still no signs of any benchmarks for that particular powerhouse.