AMD Phenom II X4 955 Temperatures high with minimal OC

[karmasblade]

I got a AMD Phenom II X4 955 and with stock frequencies across the board the temperature is 42°. I tried to overclock to 3.6 GHZ but when I go into games, there is extreme FPS drop that is constant. On stock I would get 60 FPS but with 3.6 GHZ I get around 20 FPS. Also, temperatures are sky high when I tried to get to 3.8 GHZ. Without the thermal compounding option in BIOS on, the CPU would rocket to 62° with Prime 95 tests (3.6 GHZ). Here are my parts for my PC.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE (Cooler is Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 pro rev.2)
GPU: Radeon 6750
Motherboard: AsRock N68C-gs fx

When I OC'd I only changed the CPU Multiplier since it is a BE CPU. Also, I think I should be getting to 3.6 GHZ fine with my current CPU Cooler but it rockets to 62° during Prime 95 tests unless the "Thermal Compounding" option is on in BIOS which under clocks my CPU when the temperature is too high. Can anyone tell me the problem here or is my cooler just not right for this?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

At a guess, I would say your cooler is not enough. But I am no expert on CPU coolers. Just my opinion.

 

[karmasblade]

At a guess, I would say your cooler is not enough. But I am no expert on CPU coolers. Just my opinion.

I was told several times my cooler would allow it to be overclocked at the very minimum 3.6 GHZ. I'm confident it can but I'm just not sure if the cooler itself is the problem, CPU is damaged, improper seating, thermal paste issue or something of that sort.

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

Have you tried reapplying the thermal paste? Also how much thermal paste did you use when you first put it on? Too much can cause just as many problems and non at all.

 

[shnuhh]

Well 62 degrees is the max temp for your chip anyways, so if you are hitting that, you shouldn't be surprised if your computer turns off etc... Also, your mobo doesn't support overclocking, so that could also be a factor. What you should consider is getting a new motherboard and a new cooler.

You could also just reapply the thermal paste and see if the temps would drop. So until you get a new motherboard, you should steer away from overclocking so you don't damage your CPU.

 

[karmasblade]

Well 62 degrees is the max temp for your chip anyways, so if you are hitting that, you shouldn't be surprised if your computer turns off etc... Also, your mobo doesn't support overclocking, so that could also be a factor. What you should consider is getting a new motherboard and a new cooler.

You could also just reapply the thermal paste and see if the temps would drop. So until you get a new motherboard, you should steer away from overclocking so you don't damage your CPU.

Okay should I leave the "Thermal Compounding" option in the BIOS on or off and how about the AMD Cool n' Quiet option on or off? How about undervolting the CPU when it's at stock? Is that safe?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

I would reapply the thermal paste first. Then try and mess with those settings after.

Remember to clean off all of the old thermal paste and apply only a pea sized amount in the middle and don't spread it. When you put the CPU cooler on it, it will spread perfect by itself.

 

[karmasblade]

I would reapply the thermal paste first. Then try and mess with those settings after.

Remember to clean off all of the old thermal paste and apply only a pea sized amount in the middle and don't spread it. When you put the CPU cooler on it, it will spread perfect by itself.

I will do that and get back to you. Do you recommend me to be running any BIOS options like thermal spread spectrum, cool n quiet, stuff like that?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

Honestly, I don't know enough about different bios settings to give you good advice. Sorry.

 

[karmasblade]

Honestly, I don't know enough about different bios settings to give you good advice. Sorry.

Hmm as far as I know the settings are supposed to prevent overheating but I've turned them odd and I'm running 3.6GHZ with 1.325V and stable with Max temp 53. If I try to go for 3.7GHZ it is stable at 1.375V but the Max temp is 59. I'm not sure if my mobo is the problem for high temps when going passed 3.7GHZ. Or am I doing the oc wrong?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

I would bet on it being your motherboard

 

[karmasblade]

I would bet on it being your motherboard

Hmm okay do you think 44° is safe for idle and under load around 56° max?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

That's still a little high, but its safe. Start being concerned when you get in the 60's

 

[karmasblade]

That's still a little high, but its safe. Start being concerned when you get in the 60's

Okay thanks. I just did my regular routine with HWMonitor on and the highest it ever got was 53° and that's with me gaming. I guess it's fine?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

Yea that is completely fine.

 

[karmasblade]

Yea that is completely fine.

Last question, best mobo for AM3?

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

Whats your budget?

 

[karmasblade]

Whats your budget?

< $100

 

[RookieOfTheYear]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-970extreme4

This is a nice motherboard. Here is another I would suggest.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-m5a97r20