CPU + Motherboard compatibility quiestion

[MisterMeow]

I'm giving an old desktop to someone, but he's wanting to upgrade the CPU. The motherboard is an ECS A960m-mv AM3+ socket and it has an AMD fx 4300 installed. The motherboard only supports a single 4 pin CPU connector, and we're thinking of sticking an fx 8350 in the socket. It's an AM3+ CPU, but it requires 125w and I'd rather not replace the motherboard if I can help it.

Would a single 4 pin supply enough power, or would the cpu become unstable? Also, what about very slight overclocking? Am I just better off sticking an fx 6300 in it in stead?

The power supply is an EVGA 500w 80+ silver, by the way.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

For all that is Holy, NO! I would not even put a FX6300 on that board. The power delivery system is very 'light' and "Canna' handle the power, Jim".

You may be able to overclock your FX4300. You will overheat the power delivery system and your CPU will be throttled.

 

[MisterMeow]

For the record, the fx 4300 is overclocked to 4.3ghz with no voltage overclock, and there is an evo 212 keeping it cool.

Not to mention there is an old 560 ti in the system. And it's been overclocked at 920mhz as well. Everything is perfectly stable. I know I can stick a 6300 on the board without problems.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I don't think so, unless we are talking about different boards. You have no heatsinks on the VRMs and they will overheat and throttle your CPU, even with a FX6300.

 

[MisterMeow]

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=1428&MenuID=1&LanID=9

That is the exact board, it has a heatsink on the VRM and it even lists the 8350 as compatible and tested. However I'm not so sure to the practicality.

I've also ran through all the stress tests, 3dmark and prime95 and no instability under full load for about 45 minutes.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

That's the board. The VRMs are in the lower right and have no heatsinks. A FX8350 may fit but it will not run well. I stand by my comments, but since I'm the only one here wait and see if others agree.

EDIT. I see you added some information, I cannot believe that you were able to run a FX8350 and I've also ran through all the stress tests, 3dmark and prime95 and no instability under full load for about 45 minutes. without thermal throttling of the VRMs,

 

[MisterMeow]

No I'm not talking about the 8350, I meant on the 4300 and 560 ti. I had no throttling with a significant overclock on both the cpu and gpu.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Your GPU wouldn't affect your mobo VRMs, so your 560 ti doesn't seem relevant to the question of whether your mobo can handle a higher powered CPU.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

No I'm not talking about the 8350, I meant on the 4300 and 560 ti. I had no throttling with a significant overclock on both the cpu and gpu.

Like I said, you may (and in your case can) overclock the 4300 on that motherboard. The GPU does not stress the motherboard power delivery to the CPU.

That motherboard is a 3+1 phase board without heatsinks on its VRMs. None of them should be used for a FX83??. It will fit, it might turn on, and may even get to OS, but you will have throttling issues.

A FX63?? will fit, turn on, and get to OS. You can use it for browsing, and simple productivity tasks, but the heavy, constant, and extremely variable load of intense gaming at stock speeds will cause problems, exacerbated by overclocking.