AM3+ Motherboard Overclocking (FX-8320) @round 4.1GHZ

[Hatsun]

TL;DR - Every $1 counts (For Real) Looking for a MOBO that overclocks under $85 Realistic budget wise.

I'm looking for a Motherboard that can push the FX-8320 Update: Or realistically speaking anything above 4.1GHZ (The best overclocking motherboard for under $110)

Budget: $110 MAX (My Sweet Spot is around $85 and most certainly under $95) and makes it easier on my wallet, (If over $90 than I'll be in for a longer wait) 🙁 (I'm not looking for any crazy features, just a motherboard that can handle a high overclocking.

Another in stone requirement is that the MOBO must come from amazon.com (USA)

The FX-8320 was priced at $151.99 and recently dropped $14 to $136.99 last night which is fueling my buy over a 8350 since it is still priced at $199.99 and i'm just looking to take advantage of this and do some serious overclocking here.

(I am truly grateful for your time! as I just cannot find the right motherboard with reviews and ratings that satisfy my requirements to place a buy.)

////Extra Research//// It would be nice if you would also include a heatsink (Air-Cooling or Watercooling) to accept such an overclocking at an assumed budget under $59.99.USD) (That is if it is required for the overclocking to which if not- ill stick with stock cooling.

Thanks! =^_^=

 

[Beezy]

honestly, i have the M5A99FX PRO and it has 6 ASUS VRMs and it was 120 or 130 and i wouldnt put it up to going past 4.6 Ghz before the socket or VRMs run too hot for stability. You want 5.0Ghz? then get a ASUS sabertooth and liquid cooling (240-280mm RAD block, anything smaller wont work) (sabertooth is ~180$). the Gigabyte UD3 boards have 8 VRMs but many have throttling issues which would make it difficult to OC to 4.8+

 

[Hatsun]

honestly, i have the M5A99FX PRO and it has 6 ASUS VRMs and it was 120 or 130 and i wouldnt put it up to going past 4.6 Ghz before the socket or VRMs run too hot for stability. You want 5.0Ghz? then get a ASUS sabertooth and liquid cooling (240-280mm RAD block, anything smaller wont work) (sabertooth is ~180$). the Gigabyte UD3 boards have 8 VRMs but many have throttling issues which would make it difficult to OC to 4.8+

What is the best possible overclocking MOBO that can be bought under $110.USD? which MOBO offers the overclocking ability around 4.1GHZ for the above listed price requirement. and would a stock heatsink work for 4.1GHZ, or would I need to push for something more?

Thanks4TheInsight! (If I can push my budget above and go for a M5A99FX 4.6GHZ in the near future I might just with the first options listed.) But what are my current MOBO options right now?

Perhaps ill just purchase the 8320 and hold onto it for now.
I set my sights to high, but I'm a bit of an overclocking newbie - This is great insight for me (Thanks for the reply)

 

[Hatsun]

While I got great insight from Beezy my question still remains the same: Which AM3+ MOBO can I get for a budget under $85 that offers any type of overclocking for the FX-8320.

Thanks for the correction! The main title and post has been updated into something a little more realistic! ;D Is it possible to get any type of overclocking with a 970? Someone enlighten me 🙁!

 

[Beezy]

With a Hyper 212 EVO (dont overclock on stock cooler) + M5A97 R2.0 +FX8320 i was able to get 4.3 Ghz close to MAX LOAD, hot, and potentially unstable, 4.2 was more stable, but 4.3 worked too.

With a Hyper 212 EVO + M5A99FX PRO +FX8320 i am currently able to get 4.3 Ghz safely with temps im happy about (55 Max CPU 65 MAX socket temp under prime 95) ..but.. i had to modify a small 80mm fan to sit behind the motherboard socket, to add extra cooling because the socket temps skyrocket before the CPU even hits 55 (maybe a sensor error or a problem with ASUS boards). I would say the M5A97 R2.0 is a the best sub 100$ motherboard and you could get 4.1 very easily on it, cooler needs to be accommodating though

 

[Hatsun]

With a Hyper 212 EVO (dont overclock on stock cooler) + M5A97 R2.0 +FX8320 i was able to get 4.3 Ghz close to MAX LOAD, hot, and potentially unstable, 4.2 was more stable, but 4.3 worked too.

With a Hyper 212 EVO + M5A99FX PRO +FX8320 i am currently able to get 4.3 Ghz safely with temps im happy about (55 Max CPU 65 MAX socket temp under prime 95) ..but.. i had to modify a small 80mm fan to sit behind the motherboard socket, to add extra cooling because the socket temps skyrocket before the CPU even hits 55 (maybe a sensor error or a problem with ASUS boards). I would say the M5A97 R2.0 is a the best sub 100$ motherboard and you could get 4.1 very easily on it, cooler needs to be accommodating though

I actually have the M5A97FX in my cart currently. Would that do?....but id rather have something in the price range below

Was hoping for something under that still something like a 970 AMD-970

 

[Beezy]

With a Hyper 212 EVO (dont overclock on stock cooler) + M5A97 R2.0 +FX8320 i was able to get 4.3 Ghz close to MAX LOAD, hot, and potentially unstable, 4.2 was more stable, but 4.3 worked too.

With a Hyper 212 EVO + M5A99FX PRO +FX8320 i am currently able to get 4.3 Ghz safely with temps im happy about (55 Max CPU 65 MAX socket temp under prime 95) ..but.. i had to modify a small 80mm fan to sit behind the motherboard socket, to add extra cooling because the socket temps skyrocket before the CPU even hits 55 (maybe a sensor error or a problem with ASUS boards). I would say the M5A97 R2.0 is a the best sub 100$ motherboard and you could get 4.1 very easily on it, cooler needs to be accommodating though

I actually have the M5A97FX in my cart currently. Would that do?....but id rather have something in the price range below

Was hoping for something under that still something like a 970 AMD-970

im not sure that motherboard can handle 4.1 Ghz safely if thats all youre looking for (which is basically running at stock turbo, all the time. it will def feel snappier in that regard, but not much of an overclock). It only has 4 power phases for the CPU (which is 8 cores and 125W TDP! which means it requires more power phases, like 6, 8, or 12 power phases for the CPU would give possibly 5.0Ghz + overclock. ).

The minimum i can say for the FX 8320 is 6 power phases for the CPU. (to check power phases just google the model in question and power phases : example i google "GA-970A-DS3P power phase"

if you can only afford a 4 power phase board i would not overclock past 4.0/4.1 with a good cooler too. IF you get 6 or more (which is 120$+) then you can think about real overclocks like 4.3ghz +

 

[Hatsun]

Alright.....after some research a 970 is not the best idea. It looks like If I want any type of overclocking ill have to spend over $100 for a decent MOBO but I was really crossing my fingers for something under $90.

-Sigh- The M5A97FX would work fine I suppose and if I save up a bit more ill shoot for something higher.

Thanks for the helpful replies breezy, it means alot! ;D
I'll take my leave, thanks again!

 

[dru]

I used an AsRock 970 extreme 4 if that's in your price range