CPU Upgrade for MSI 970A-G46

[Lazar_99]

Hi guys. After nearly 4 years, i have finally decided to replace my Athlon II X3 445 (Unlocked and OC'ed to 3.5 GHz). The main reason i'm asking pros is because i have already heard of people complaining about overheating/faulty VRM's on this board if an FX 83** CPU's are used on it. I wanted to upgrade to an FX 8350, and i'm wondering if it won't give me any problems if running on stock settings (no OC). I am also looking at an option of going with the FX 8370E or FX 8300. Going with the FX 6300 seems to me like the problem is half fixed and would only go for it if my VRM's are in danger of blowing up on the FX 8 core CPU's.

 

[patrick47018]

It says it is compatible on their site so I think you will be fine at stock clocks, the 8350 I mean.

 

[Shamar Holtz]

That board is fine, Get a 8320 and get an aftermarket cooler to go with it, you'll be great then.

 

[Lazar_99]

That board is fine, Get a 8320 and get an aftermarket cooler to go with it, you'll be great then.

I already have the Zalman CNPS9900MAX 😀. Also, is the turbo boost it has to 4ghz actually mean it can run as fast as the 8350 without turbo boost?

 

[Shamar Holtz]

That board is fine, Get a 8320 and get an aftermarket cooler to go with it, you'll be great then.

I already have the Zalman CNPS9900MAX 😀. Also, is the turbo boost it has to 4ghz actually mean it can run as fast as the 8350 without turbo boost?

Yes it does, of course you may know that turbo boost isn't OC and doesn't raise temps much higher than stock would, so you'll be fine 😀 I have my 6300 turbo'd at 3.9ghz

 

[Lazar_99]

That board is fine, Get a 8320 and get an aftermarket cooler to go with it, you'll be great then.

I already have the Zalman CNPS9900MAX 😀. Also, is the turbo boost it has to 4ghz actually mean it can run as fast as the 8350 without turbo boost?

Yes it does, of course you may know that turbo boost isn't OC and doesn't raise temps much higher than stock would, so you'll be fine 😀 I have my 6300 turbo'd at 3.9ghz

Great, thanks.

 

[Shamar Holtz]

Mhmm

 

[Lazar_99]

Mhmm

I have one more question. Will it be better if i upgrade my GPU (Radeon HD 6850) to a GTX 960 and later save up some money for the FX 8320? To make it more clear, i am asking about gaming performance, will there be more gain if i stick to the current CPU and get the GTX 960 or if i get the FX 8320 and later get a new GPU. It seems to me that if i upgrade the CPU now, i'm maxing out the capabilities of the CPU performance this board handles and therefore any CPU related upgrades in the future will require a motherboard replacement.

 

[Shamar Holtz]

Mhmm

I have one more question. Will it be better if i upgrade my GPU (Radeon HD 6850) to a GTX 960 and later save up some money for the FX 8320? To make it more clear, i am asking about gaming performance, will there be more gain if i stick to the current CPU and get the GTX 960 or if i get the FX 8320 and later get a new GPU. It seems to me that if i upgrade the CPU now, i'm maxing out the capabilities of the CPU performance this board handles and therefore any CPU related upgrades in the future will require a motherboard replacement.

Hmmm, that's a tough question! IF you upgrade your GPU your CPU will bottleneck it...but if you upgrade you CPU then your current GPU will bottleneck that! I would say get a GPU. they are more important overall, but it's really a double-edged sword here

 

[Lazar_99]

Mhmm

I have one more question. Will it be better if i upgrade my GPU (Radeon HD 6850) to a GTX 960 and later save up some money for the FX 8320? To make it more clear, i am asking about gaming performance, will there be more gain if i stick to the current CPU and get the GTX 960 or if i get the FX 8320 and later get a new GPU. It seems to me that if i upgrade the CPU now, i'm maxing out the capabilities of the CPU performance this board handles and therefore any CPU related upgrades in the future will require a motherboard replacement.

Hmmm, that's a tough question! IF you upgrade your GPU your CPU will bottleneck it...but if you upgrade you CPU then your current GPU will bottleneck that! I would say get a GPU. they are more important overall, but it's really a double-edged sword here

I agree. It depends on whether games are CPU intensive or GPU intensive.

 

[madmatt30]

I would personally go with a 6300 & overclock - this will surpass performance of the 8320/8350 in pretty much all games.

If you go with a 125w 8 core you won't be doing any over clocking on that board whereas with a 95w chip there's some headroom.

The e series are a waste of money IMO - you pay a premium for an undervolted under clocked chip - you can do this yourself.