Fx-8150 Can't get overclock past 4.4Ghz without being unstable

[Donny3637]

My CPU won't go past 4.4 GHz without being unstable , any tips to make it more stable?
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[Calculatron]

What methodology are you using for overclocking?

I don't want to be "that guy" and just say, "add more voltage!"

 

[Donny3637]

What methodology are you using for overclocking?

I don't want to be "that guy" and just say, "add more voltage!"

Well i'm using the bios and the voltage was at 1.4v with a clock of 4.4ghz and it still was unstable for me right now 4.3ghz with auto voltage is rock solid

 

[mlcaouette]

At 4.3Ghz and auto voltage what is your motherboard putting the voltage at under full load? Also what temps are you getting at full load (core and cpu casing)?

 

[Donny3637]

At 4.3Ghz and auto voltage what is your motherboard putting the voltage at under full load? Also what temps are you getting at full load (core and cpu casing)?

43c high and 40 avg CPU temp and the core voltage is 1.332-1.344v

 

[Calculatron]

What motherboard, and cooling solution, are you using?

 

[Donny3637]

What motherboard, and cooling solution, are you using?

I'm using a gigabyte 970a-d3 motherboard and an h60 cooler

 

[Calculatron]

Ah!

Your motherboard only has 4+1 phases with its VRM, and, if it is below revision 1.3, it lacks a heatsink on its voltage regulator module. So it's good that you didn't try to push your voltages too high.

So that might be what is holding you back, other than perhaps a less-than-superb draw of the silicon lottery.

 

[mlcaouette]

For starters you need to cool the VRM on that board so you can try and avoid any overheating problems, not to mention a possible fire hazard. Enzotch makes some small heatsinks for the VRM as well as some other companies (the heatsinks used are sometimes called ramsinks). Even with the heatsinks I wouldn't overclock too far on a 4+1 VRM with an 8150, it is a very power hungry chip.

 

[Donny3637]

For starters you need to cool the VRM on that board so you can try and avoid any overheating problems, not to mention a possible fire hazard. Enzotch makes some small heatsinks for the VRM as well as some other companies (the heatsinks used are sometimes called ramsinks). Even with the heatsinks I wouldn't overclock too far on a 4+1 VRM with an 8150, it is a very power hungry chip.

So it really is just the motherboard that is holding it back?
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4395#ov That is the exact motherboard i am using.

 

[mlcaouette]

So it does have a small VRM heatsink on it, that is good. As calculatron said you may have just gotten unlucky in the silicon lottery, Cause it would seem that that chip will require more voltage to become stable at 4.4Ghz and above. I wouldn't push the voltage too far though with a 4+1 VRM.

 

[Calculatron]

More than likely, it is the motherboard. If you've only went to a maximum of 1.4V for overclocking, chances are you have a bit more headroom, you're just going to need to feed your CPU more voltage to maintain the extra frequency - and that can be a bit scary with only a 4+1 phase Voltage Regulator Module.

 

[Donny3637]

More than likely, it is the motherboard. If you've only went to a maximum of 1.4V for overclocking, chances are you have a bit more headroom, you're just going to need to feed your CPU more voltage to maintain the extra frequency - and that can be a bit scary with only a 4+1 phase Voltage Regulator Module.

How far do you think i should take the voltage? I just put it a bit over 1.4v and it is pretty steady right now, the cpu only is using 1.392v

 

[Calculatron]

Well, I think the standard stock voltage range for that CPU tops out at 1.4125. I would stick around there for your maximum, if you must.

Otherwise, with a more competent board, after 1.45 is when you need to start worrying, and above 1.5 is a the scary place before the absolute max of 1.55.