Question A10-6800K About to die?

[HakaseLA]

Power supply: Game max GP-500 500w
Mobo: A55BM-K
RAM: 2x8gb g-skill @1866mhz (docp profile; stock is 1600mhz)
New APU: A10-6800K
Old APU: A8-6600K
(Yes I'm aware it's all cheap and very old, but don't ask - this is 3rd world and I also happen to like the compatibility with Hogwarts Legacy or whatever and very old software in the same machine, in bare metal (for example, Windows 1.0 or 98 do run without graphical artifacts, the latter even runs with that universal vesa driver)).

Anyways, back when I had the old CPU, it had 3.9ghz stock speed, and turbo speed is 4.2. Multiplier is unlocked, so I set it to run at 4.2ghz and it had no problem. No other settings were changed; I always assumed that turbo speed was like an official/stock feature.

The new CPU however, with stock and turbo speeds of 4.1 and 4.4ghz throws BSODs if I set it to 4.3 or 4.2ghz, so I guess it couldn't reach its maximum "stock" potential. Prime95 throws rounding errors immediately.

Is this CPU about to die, or so I have to actually fiddle with other settings? These are the options offered at the DIGI+ VRM section:

CPU Load line calibration - auto
Cpu/NB load line calibration - auto
Cpu current capability - 100%
Cpu/NB current capability - 100%
CPU power base control - Standard
Cpu voltage frequency - 300
CPU power duty control - Thermal Probe

Do certain features such as PowerNow matter? Temperatures are no higher than 65°C.

 

[helpstar]

is the bios of the Motherboard up to date?
these two cpus are nearly identical for gaming

 

[punkncat]

The difference between almost all of the mid to high end A series CPU is so close as to be marginal. If the A8 was perceived to run better, I would put it back in.

Of note, and in spite of that being a low power system, how old is that Game Max PSU? Those weren't awesome, new...

The other aspect I would mention is cooling. I can't recall my A8 having a very good cooler. The biggest issue I had with mine after changing to a better cooler was CPU usage at 100% in almost any title.

edit- one other thing to mention, check your VRM caps for swelling or leakage. This motherboard is getting to around the age these things start to happen.

 

[HakaseLA]

Firmware up to date, no leakage from any caps either. The PSU is 1 year old, meant to be temporary but I'll have to wait more before being able to buy another. As for temps, I don't get over 65C, but the max capability for this CPU is 75 for all I know; the cooling isn't that good, though Prime95 errors happen even at about roughly 45 (in other words as soon as it starts), coming from idle temp.
Forgot to mention, this CPU works right IF overclocked by only 1 step in the APU Multiplier. Unlike the old A8, where I can do 3 steps.
I get the impression I need to fiddle some other setting, but I don't know any of that. According to the little I read, I might probably have to increase the voltage a bit at the cost of temp? But there's no straightforward voltage option, it's probably "there" but split

 

[--SID--]

Motherboard VRM overheating probably. What CPU cooler do you have? You need a beefy top down cooler that blows air at the VRM section of the motherboard.

 

[Misgar]

I always assumed that turbo speed was like an official/stock feature.

Turbo speed stability depends on the number of cores being overclocked. The more cores you have running "flat out", the lower the maximum overclock speed, unless you increase Vcore.

Looking at CPU-World it shows the A10-6800K is rated at 4.1GHz on all four cores.
AMD "guarantee" you should achive 4.2GHz on 3 out of 4 cores at a slightly raised Vcore of 1.15V.
Similarly, you should be able to run 2 out of 4 cores at 4.3GHz with Vcore = 1.25V
Finally, there's 1 out of 4 cores at 4.4GHz with Vcore = 1.35V.
https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Bulldozer/AMD-A10-Series A10-6800K.html
N.B. These voltages (1.15V, 1.25V and 1.35V) are "dynamic" and the BIOS wlll reduce Vcore down to 0.900V and below, when the CPU load drops away towards zero.

When I'm overclocking FM2 and similar processors, I start to increase Vcore manually, in 50mV steps at frequencies over 4.0GHz, but I usually stop around 1.250V and never exceed 1.300V to stay within what I consider to be safe limits.

For all-core overclocks faster than 4.0GHz, I suggest starting with Vcore at 1.150V, then 1.200V. Think very carefully indeed before exceeding 1.35V. You could kill your CPU super fast. Monitor CPU temperatures and don't spend ages running Prime95. If you're going for the record, by all means try 1.45 to 1.55V, but I recommend using Liquid Nitrogen cooling at such high voltages.

Check out a few old overclocking guides for FM2 processors.
https://overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/amd_a10_6800k_richland_overclocked_review/2/