TT-QuietBox (Blackhole)

This page covers everything for the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation: how to receive and set it up, and its full hardware specifications. Use the page navigation on the right to jump between sections.

Receiving, Unboxing, and Setup

This guide provides system administrators, hardware engineers, and users responsible for the initial setup of Tenstorrent hardware with step-by-step instructions. You will learn to safely unbox a TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation, connect all required hardware components, and install the recommended operating system.

Before You Begin

Before you begin, choose a clear, stable, and spacious area for the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation. The system ships in a palletized wooden crate. Ensure you have at least two people and enough room for them to maneuver comfortably and safely around the crate and system. Clear the area where you intend to use the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ and ensure to use a dedicated 20A circuit and outlet, as specified in the electrical safety warning below. Also, confirm that all vents are clear of obstructions or other objects.

Warning

The fully palletized and crated shipment weighs approximately 134 lbs (61 kg), and the workstation itself weighs approximately 80 lbs (36 kg). Unboxing and lifting require at least two people for safe maneuverability.

Do not proceed with unboxing or installation if you suspect shipping damage to the system. Contact Tenstorrent support by raising a support request. Our team will review your request and provide assistance.

Required Tools

For unboxing, you will need the following tools:

  • Phillips head screwdriver

  • Scissors or a similar cutting tool

For setup, you will need the following:

  • Keyboard

  • Mouse

  • Monitor

Step 1: Unboxing the Workstation

Follow these steps to unbox your TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation:

  1. Position the crate. Position the crate in your prepared unboxing area, ensuring ample space for two people to work around it.

  1. Remove plastic wrap. Remove the outer plastic wrap and cut the two lifting straps looped around the crate.

  1. Open the crate. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the six screws from the top panel of the crate. Lift off the top panel.

  1. Remove the system from the crate. Remove the protective styrofoam from inside the crate. Use the two lifting straps to vertically lift the inner cardboard box out of the wooden crate. Do not tilt the box sideways during this process.

  1. Open the cardboard box. Cut the two lifting straps off the cardboard box and open the top flaps.

  1. Unpack accessories. Remove the documentation and the accessory bag from the box and set them aside.

  1. Remove the workstation from the cardboard box. Reach into the short sides of the box, secure your hands under the supportive styrofoam, and lift the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation out of the box. Place it in your workspace.

  1. Remove additional packing material. Remove any remaining packaging from the exterior of the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation.

  1. Inspect the system. Inspect the workstation to ensure all components are properly mounted and secured. The system ships with sufficient liquid coolant for long-term operation; adding or purchasing coolant is not necessary.

Step 2: Setting Up the Hardware

Follow these steps to set up the hardware for your TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation:

  1. Connect the power cable. Connect the provided C13 power cable to the workstation and then to a dedicated power outlet.

  1. Connect QSFP-DD cables. The included Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) cables enable high-speed interconnectivity between the Tenstorrent Tensix cores. Your system includes four Blackhole™ processors and eight external QSFP-DD cables to create the processor mesh. Connect the eight cables according to the system topology diagram below. Ensure each cable is aligned correctly and clicks into place; do not force the connections.

  1. Connect to the network. For host system network access, connect a standard Ethernet cable (Cat 6 or better, user-provided) to an RJ45 LAN port on the rear panel. The LAN1 and LAN2 ports are 10GbE, while LAN3 and LAN4are 1GbE.

Note

The port that is not outlined in the following image is the BMC management port.

  1. Connect peripherals. Connect your monitor, keyboard, and mouse (user-provided). A VGA-to-HDMI adapter is included for monitors that require an HDMI connection. Be sure to plug in both the VGA and USB-A connectors to the rear panel for a video signal to be transmitted.

  2. Power on the system. Locate the main power supply switch on the rear of the workstation and set it to the ON position. Press the system power button on the front panel.

Note

The system’s initial hardware initialization during its first Power-On-Self-Test (POST) may require up to 10 minutes before displaying the BIOS screen. If after 10 minutes you do not see the BIOS screen, please raise a support request.

Step 3. Accessing Default System Logins

Follow these instructions for logging into the system using the default Ubuntu and Base Management Controller (BMC) credentials.

Accessing the Ubuntu operating system

When the Ubuntu login prompt appears, enter the following default credentials:

  • Username: ttuser

  • Password: ttuser

Optional: Accessing the Base Management Controller (BMC)

This section describes an optional process to access the Base Management Controller (BMC) included with the systsem. To log in using the system’s BMC, complete these steps:

  1. Connect an additional Ethernet cable to the management port labeled MGMT on the back panel of your system.

  2. On another computer connected to the same network, open a web browser.

  3. When prompted, enter the following default credentials:

    • Username: admin

    • Password: ZTSI-00029

Step 4: Verifying System Recognition of Blackhole p150c Accelerators

In a terminal, execute these commands to download the latest list of PCI device IDs and list the recognized devices:

sudo update-pciids
lspci -d 1e52:

You should see an output which lists four recognized accelerators:

01:00.0 Processing accelerators: Tenstorrent Inc Blackhole
41:00.0 Processing accelerators: Tenstorrent Inc Blackhole
42:00.0 Processing accelerators: Tenstorrent Inc Blackhole
c1:00.0 Processing accelerators: Tenstorrent Inc Blackhole

Important

If you don’t see all four accelerators listed, please raise a support request. Our team will review your request and provide assistance.

Step 5: Installing the Tenstorrent Software Stack

After completing the operating system installation, proceed with Installing the Tenstorrent Software Stack.

Need Additional Support?

If you encounter any issues, or have a question that isn’t covered in the documentation, please raise a support request. Our team will review your request and provide assistance.

Specifications and Requirements

This section provides system administrators and engineers with detailed technical specifications for the TT-QuietBox™ Blackhole™ (TW-04002) workstation. It lists package contents, hardware components, physical dimensions, and operating requirements.

Package Contents

The Tenstorrent TT-QuietBox Blackhole (TW-04002) system package includes the following items:

  • Tenstorrent TT-QuietBox Blackhole System

  • C13 Power Cable, 1.8m/6ft.

  • 8x QSFP-DD 800GbE Cable, 0.6m/2ft.

  • VGA-to-HDMI Adapter

Warning

The TT-QuietBox is shipped in a wooden crate with a total weight of approximately 134 lbs (61 kg). The system itself weighs approximately 80 lbs (36 kg). At least two people are required to move and uncrate the system safely.

For assembly instructions, refer to the Receiving, Unboxing, and Setup section above. If you encounter issues, refer to the Troubleshooting Common Hardware Issues page.

System Specifications

Specification

Details

CPU

AMD EPYC™ 8124P (16 Cores / 32 Threads, up to 3.0 GHz)

Motherboard

ASRock Rack SIENAD8-2L2T*

Memory

512 GB (8x64 GB) DDR5-4800 ECC RDIMM (0 Slots Free)

Storage

4 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4

Tenstorrent Processors

4x Tenstorrent Blackhole™ p150c Tensix Processor

Included Cables

8x QSFP-DD 800GbE Cable

Host Connectivity

2x RJ45 10GBase-T via Intel® X710
2x RJ45 1GBase-T via Intel® I210
4x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A (2x Front, 2x Rear)
1x VGA
1x IPMI

Tensix Processor Connectivity

16x QSFP-DD Passive 800G (4 ports per card)

Power Supply

1650W 80 PLUS Platinum

Operating System

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

System Dimensions

10” x 21.5” x 20” (W x D x H) / 254mm x 546mm x 508mm

System Weight

79.2 lbs / 35.9 kg

Shipped Dimensions

18” x 33” x 27” (W x D x H) / 453mm x 839mm x 686mm

Shipped Weight

133.7 lbs / 60.6 kg

*Early prototypes of this system employed the TYAN Tomcat HX S8040 motherboard (S8040GM4NE-2T).

Environment

The TT-QuietBox Liquid-Cooled Desktop Workstation is designed to operate at up to 35°C/95°F external ambient temperatures.

Safety Warnings

Electrical Safety

Danger

Failure to follow these electrical safety instructions may result in electric shock, fire, or damage to the equipment.

  • Connect the system to a dedicated AC power circuit with sufficient capacity to support the full power draw of the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation, including peak loads under heavy AI model execution.

  • Do not share the outlet with other high-power devices. Avoid using household surge strips, extension cords, or multi-outlet power taps; not all are rated for the sustained current of this system.

  • Use only the provided C13 power cable, and ensure it is plugged into a properly grounded outlet. Do not bypass or disable the grounding pin.

  • Verify that the circuit wiring and breaker rating meet or exceed the combined system requirements, including liquid-cooling support and all accelerator cards.

  • If the circuit becomes overloaded or if the breaker trips during power-up or operation, immediately disconnect and remove power. Then, have a qualified electrician inspect and verify the circuit’s capacity before resuming setup.

  • Never attempt to reset or bypass a tripped breaker without first confirming the circuit integrity; failure to do so may result in overheating, voltage drop, or irreversible damage.

Electrostatic Discharge Safety

Important

Before opening the TT-QuietBox Blackhole™ workstation or handling any internal components, you must discharge static electricity from your body to avoid damaging sensitive hardware. Electrostatic discharge can permanently damage Tensix cores, memory modules, or other components. Handle with care and always follow ESD-safe practices.

  • Touch a grounded metal surface, such as a grounded rack, chassis, or power supply casing, before and during internal handling.

  • Ideally, wear an ESD wrist strap connected to a verified ground point.

  • Avoid working on carpeted floors or in low-humidity environments where static buildup is more likely.

  • Do not touch any processor, memory module, connector, or printed circuit board (PCB) circuitry unless absolutely necessary, and only after properly discharging.